The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation of Old Crow has left the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), says the first nation's chief.

Joe Linklater said this morning it's time for the Vuntut Gwitchin to sever ties with the central organization to make sure there is no confusion about who represents the political interests of the Vuntut Gwitchin.

The timing of the departure is critical as the first nation is preparing to renegotiate its Financial Transfer Arrangements with Ottawa, the chief explained in an interview.

Linklater said the first nation was seeing an uncomfortable trend with the CYFN's office of the grand chief attempting to assume more political influence in areas that are solely the responsibility of the individual chiefs of their self-governing first nations.

"We just felt that is not the best direction for CYFN to go in."

Linklater said the Vuntut Gwitchin has tried to work with the central organization over the past year to make it a more effective and efficient body.

But last August, at the first nation's general assembly in Old Crow, the chief and council sought and received permission to leave the CYFN if and when they thought it was necessary.

With what the chief described as ongoing problems with communication from the central body, it was decided to hold a community meeting this past Monday to let the membership know the decision to leave the CYFN had been made, he explained.

Linklater pointed out, for instance, that recently, Grand Chief Andy Carvill sent his executive director to Ottawa to represent the interests of the chiefs.

There has been no communication about the nature of that trip, or what was discussed, he said.

Presumably, Linklater added, the executive director would have raised the issue of the Financial Transfer Arrangements, because of the high priority first nations are placing on renegotiating the arrangements.

The CYFN has no business representing the interests of the Vuntut Gwitchin on a matter of such importance, he said.

Linklater said the Vuntut Gwitchin has put the other levels of governments on notice that when it comes to the affairs of the Vuntut Gwitchin, the Vuntut Gwitchin alone speak on behalf of the first nation.

The Old Crow first nation will still participate on the CYFNs committees and boards that deal with issues of common interest to all first nations, he said.

Linklater said he will no longer attend the regular leadership meetings where the chiefs provide Carvill and staff with direction.

The CYFN (formerly the Council for Yukon Indians) was formed in the 1970s primarily as a vehicle to negotiate the settlement of aboriginal land claims in the Yukon.

With 11 of 14 settlements in place, the council has evolved into a central body to represent the common interests of the first nations. But unlike the individual first nations, the CYFN does not have any standing in the Constitution of Canada.

Linklater voiced his concern about the council's mandate last summer during the CYFN's annual general meeting when he suggested Carvill is more of a central spokesman than a chief with real political authority.

The Liard First Nation and the Ross River Dena Council broke away from the central council in the mid-1990s, citing fundamental opposition to the CYFN's constitution.

The two Kaska first nations are also without land claim settlements. They have indicated they have no intention of negotiating agreements under the Umbrella Final Agreement.

The umbrella agreement sets out the guidelines for negotiations, and was the blueprint used to negotiate the 11 settlements to date.

While the Kwanlin Dun First Nation of Whitehorse does have a settlement, it is not a member of the CYFN.

Linklater pointed out while the three first nations are not officially members of the central organization, they do participate on the various boards and committees.

The White River First Nation, which is a member of the central body, is also without a land claim settlement.

Carvill, who won a second term as grand chief last summer, was not available for comment this morning or early this afternoon.