News & Issues

Carcross Tagish First Nation Newsletter

Next Meetings:

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. at the Carcross Community Club
Regular meeting of the SKLAC - we are seeking community input on the proposal to change the dump to a transfer station and stop all burning of garbage, and on the speed limit change on the Tagish Road.

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August 22, 2007
The SKLAC has accepted an invitation to join a recovery planning strategy for our endangered Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa). Related documents have been posted as pdf files:
- the strategy planning description,
- Baikal Sedge fact sheet and
- Species at Risk Act fact sheet.

August 15, 2007
Regular meeting of the SKLAC: updates on all of the ongoing projects were presented, including the streetscape plan and waterfront projects, there was a discussion about the increasing crime in Carcross, a presentation was made about the Truelson family's lot extension application, and a request for support for re-naming the Carcross-Tagish Loop highways as The Caribou Trail was discussed. Corporal Zechel reassured those present that although the crime situation is worse this year than in recent years, it is under control, and explained the steps being taken. The four Councillors able to vote on the Truelson application all expressed support for it, and a letter to that effect will be sent to Lands. A letter of support for the Caribou Trail initiative will be sent to Tourism.

May 2, 2007
A special LAC meeting discussed and passed the following motion (as proposed at a community meeting held April 24), so that we can start the implementation process:

Be it resolved that:
A community plan be developed that would include the area encompassing the Post Office across to the Barracks and along the waterfront to the highway.
And
That the plan include the CTFN proposal for a Culture Center and Carving Facility, boat launch, dock, and Tutshi memorial.

Also discussed was the most effective means of communicating with residents and other stakeholders. This meeting indicated that the time and cost of putting flyers in every mailbox is not justified. A newsletter will be sent out to inform people about the Web site, the email notification list, the locations where posters can be seen, and a mailing list to be set up.

April 23, 2007
- following discussions with SKLAC members a week ago, representatives of CTFN presented their plans for a Carving Facility / Cultural Center to about 35 people. Discussion followed on a broad range of topics associated with future development of the downtown core and waterfront. At the conclusion of the lengthy discussion, the following resolution was passed:

Be it resolved that:
A community plan be developed that would include the area encompassing the Post Office across to the Barracks and along the waterfront to the highway.
And
That the plan include the CTFN proposal for a Culture Center and Carving Facility, boat launch, dock, and Tutshi memorial.

- to address issues of communications that were brought to the attention of Council members, notices of upcoming meetings will now be put in every Carcross mailbox, and an email notification list has been initiated for those without Carcross boxes - to be added to that list, just send Murray an email.

March 14, 2007
- Doug Olynyk from the Heritage Banch led a disussion about what to do with the Tutshi, culminating in agreement by the majority of those present that the boat's remains need to be made more attractive and safer, pending a community plan that will address the issue. Jackie McBride-Dickson received no objections to her horse operation and related agricultural lease application.

March 7, 2007
- YTG representatives Kriss Sarson and Matt King called for this special meeting to update the community about the new docks that are being built at the current Carcross boat launch. Those present agreed that the plans presented did not meet the needs of boaters - the details can be read in this letter from Matt King to the LAC.

February 14, 2007
- Several representatives of YTG Community Services and Land Planning met in a packed school library to discuss the process of community planning and property zoning/rezoning within Carcross. Information about the process has now been posted on a separate Carcross Planning & Zoning/Rezoning page.

February 10, 2007
- All 5 SKLAC members attended a special all-day Local Advisory Council Forum held in Whitehorse to allow Councillors to discuss items of mutual interest. Land zoning, poor communications with several YTG departments and slow government response in general were identified as common issues for all LACs. It is hoped that these discussions will lead to solutions. Inequalities in LAC funding and very restrictive spending policies (which, among other issues, do not allow for monetary support of community associations or events) were also identified as problems, and those issues are being worked on immediately with assistance from the Association of Yukon Communities.

February 7, 2007
- Councillors Pringle and Lundberg attended the regular meeting of the Southern Lakes Chamber of Commerce to discuss the 2nd access and land zoning issues. The Chamber is writing to YTG to reject the 2nd access as presented, to urge faster resolution of community planning and land zoning issues, and to urge YTG to include the LAC in all discussions of community concern.

January 31, 2007
- Community Services Mgr. Land Development, Brian Ritchie and Quest Engineering’s Rick Savage led a discussion about the 2nd Access into Carcross. They presented 4 possible routes that were studied, and the one that was chosen as the best option (route map). The consensus among those present, however, was that the best option is unacceptable due to the damage to the ski trails (including the loss of the school as the trailhead), environmental issues including increasing blowouts such as the one currently taking over the school yard, and providing access to land for development when no Community Plan is in place to identify whether land development in the dune system is desirable. Two other routes were suggested by residents, and will be studied by the engineers - we will post a map here when it is received next Wednesday (Feb 12 update - the map has not yet been received).

January 30, 2007
- The WP&YR has applied for permission to undertake repairs and renovations on the Carcross station - the public notice with details can been seen here.

January 10, 2007
- due to severe weather, only Councillors Pringle and Kemble and 6 other residents showed up. Issues discussed were the dump, land availability, land zoning, dogs, town clean-up and bus traffic.

January 9, 2007
- the waterfront planning committee meeting was cancelled.

January 4, 2007
- Only 13 people showed up, but this core of people are very keen on knowing what is happening and contributing to the process. The footbridge design is final, assorted approvals should be forthcoming at the end of January, and the tender package should be out by the end of the month. They have designed a very nice deck on the south end of the footbridge just above the existing boat ramp in order to allow groups of people to look around without having to cross the tracks. Kriss Sarsen also did a brief rundown on some of the other projects. They have designs for the viewing deck at the north end of the beach. Shore line clean up will proceed this summer. The next discussion will be the boat launch and docks and what the community wants to see there ie a marina or a simple boat launch/dock. There is hope that many of the projects will be done by the end of this year, especially the bridge.

December 22, 2006:
- YESAB (the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board) recommended today that the Carcross Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project be allowed to proceed - the report states that the project will have significant adverse effects, but they can be mitigated by specified terms and conditions.

December 20, 2006:
- Councillor Lundberg attended the AGM of the Southern Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Among the significant business, the Chamber will be asking YTG to name the Carcross-Tagish Loop the "Caribou Trail", the membership boundaries have been reduced to eliminate the Alaska Highway, and a "scavenger hunt" that will have visitors looking for carvings in remote locations is being developed. WP&YR also presented the comprehensive "Destination Carcross" work plan that was discussed at the December 6th meeting, and showed promotional items such as their 2007 wall calendar seen to the right.

December 13, 2006:
- Regular monthly LAC meeting. All 5 Councillors attended, but no members of the public. Reports were given on recent meetings, training sessions and requests for letters of support.
- after lengthy discussion, a motion was made and passed that the YTG mileage/meals scale be used to reimburse Councillors for attendance at authorized meetings and training sessions for those Council members who need to travel.

December 10, 2006:
- Councillor Mennell attended a one-day course in Whitehorse sponsored by AYC on how to deal with reporters. The course was reported to be excellent.

December 9, 2006:
- Councillor Lundberg attended the quarterly Board meeting of AYC (the Association of Yukon Communities). Mayors and CAOs of most Yukon communities were in attendance as well as Councillors from 4 LACs. AYC is providing significant input to all levels of goverment on a wide range of activities and legislative issues.

December 6, 2006:
- Councillors Pringle, Schaefer and Lundberg attended a meeting in Whitehorse with representatives from the WP&YR, CTFN, Tourism and Community Affairs, to discuss the ongoing "Destination Carcross" initiative. The WP&YR will have a lengthy work plan to present within a couple of weeks, and then priorities and action plans can be established.

November 20, 2006:
- YESAB (the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board) declared today that the Carcross Pedestrian Bridge Replacement project proposal phase has been completed, and their evaluation of it has now begun. It is hoped by YTG that demolition and immediate replacement of the bridge can occur in May/June 2007.

November 18-19, 2006:
- all 5 SKLAC members attended the Mayors and Councillors Orientation Workshop presented in Haines Junction by the Association of Yukon Communities. Over 20 sessions covered topics ranging from land planning issues and bylaw formation to a code of conduct for councillors and dealing with difficult delegations. As well as the valuable information gathered during the sessions, our network of contacts available for both information and support was enlarged.

November 8, 2006:
- SKLAC meeting

November 7, 2006:
- a lengthy public meeting was held to present the 3 design options for replacement of the walking bridge.

October 25, 2006:
- members of the South Klondike Local Advisory Council sworn into office at the Carcross school library.
- officers were elected: Linda Pringle as Chair, Daphne Mennell as Deputy Chair, and Murray Lundberg as Treasurer
- a motion was passed to join the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC). As many SKLAC memers as possible will be attending the AYC training workshop workshop in Haines Junction on November 18-19
- the following groups were identified as being useful to make connections with. SKLAC members were asked to think about where their interests and expertise lay and to volunteer to participate with these groups.
      - Waterfront Development committee
      - Recreation Board
      - Carcross Community Club
      - Chamber of Commerce
      - Association of Yukon Communities
      - Emergency Measures Organization
      - White Pass and Yukon Route
      - Land Use Planning Team of CTFN
- a desire for SKLAC to meet with CTFN’s Chief and Council was expressed. Linda will contact Mark Wedge to see if this can be arranged.
- the next meeting will be Wednesday, November 8th at 7pm at the school library. The agenda will include distributing Council member “portfolios”, looking at the SKLAC Terms of Reference, and discussing the timing of a public meeting in order to get a clear idea from residents what their priorities are so that we can plan to address issues as identified.

October 19, 2006:
- the 5 members of the SKLAC are elected.

August 15, 2006:
- the South Klondike Local Advisory Council is formed by Order-in Council 2006/160

, 2006
- a vote is held regarding the formation of a Local Advisory Council (map of proposed Local Advisory Area). Of 330 eligible voters, 133 votes are cast - 8 ballots are spoiled, 125 ballots say "yes" for the formation of the LAC.