Indigenous affairs

Nations Before Borders

Long before Saskatchewan, North Dakota, or South Dakota existed, the northern plains were home to Indigenous peoples whose territories, trade routes, and relationships paid no attention to lines that wouldn't be drawn for centuries.

Major Nations of the Region:

To Whom It May Concern:

The Northwest Territories is pleased to serve as Co-Signer for Yukon's application to adopt Alaska.

Yukon is our neighbor and our sibling. We were one territory until 1898. We share the same sky, the same cold, the same challenges of governing vast northern lands with small populations.

We believe Yukon is ready for this responsibility. Their Indigenous governance record is the best in Canada. Their commitment to Alaska is genuine. Their preparation is thorough.

Indigenous peoples have lived in what is now Yukon and Alaska for at least 14,000 years. Probably longer.

The border between them was drawn in 1825 (Russia-Britain) and adjusted in 1867 (Russia-US purchase). Nobody asked the Gwich'in, the Hän, the Tlingit, the Yup'ik, the Iñupiat, or any of the other nations whose territories it bisected.

That border has separated families, disrupted traditional economies, and complicated governance ever since.

The Yukon Situation:

The Arctic is melting. This is bad for many reasons, but one consequence is that suddenly everyone cares about the Arctic.

Russia is planting flags on the seabed. China is calling itself a "near-Arctic state" (it isn't). The United States has been neglecting its Arctic territories for decades. Canada talks a good game but underfunds northern defense.

Meanwhile, the people who actually live in the Arctic — including Yukoners and Alaskans — are watching superpowers argue about who owns their backyard.

The Current Situation:

BC and Oregon sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Hawaii IS volcanic — the islands literally wouldn't exist without volcanoes.

This creates risks. It also creates opportunities.

The Volcanic Landscape:

British Columbia:

• Multiple volcanic complexes (most dormant, not extinct)
• Mount Garibaldi, Mount Meager, Mount Edziza
• Cascade volcanoes extend into BC
• Last major eruption: ~2,400 years ago (Mount Meager)
• Geothermal potential: Significant, underdeveloped

Oregon:

This is the most important topic. Everything else depends on getting this right.

The Colonial Context:

British Columbia:

• Most of BC was never ceded by treaty
• First Nations have inherent rights to their territories
• Land claims and treaty negotiations ongoing
• UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) adopted provincially
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action
• Progress: Real but inadequate

Oregon:

Salmon don't recognize borders. They're born in freshwater streams, migrate to the Pacific, roam for years, then return to the exact stream of their birth to spawn and die.

This journey takes them through BC waters, Oregon waters, Washington waters (yes, Washington exists), and past Hawaii (the ocean part).

If any species embodies the case for unified Pacific coast management, it's salmon.

The Current Crisis:

Let's not sugarcoat this: Pacific salmon are in trouble.

BC:

Any partnership between Manitoba and Minnesota must center the Indigenous peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

The Nations:

Manitoba:

• 63 First Nations
• Significant Métis population
• Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 territories
• Languages: Cree, Ojibwe, Dakota, Dene, Oji-Cree

Minnesota:

Winnipeg and the Twin Cities will naturally dominate headlines. But the partnership's success will be measured in smaller communities too.

Manitoba's North:

• Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas, Churchill
• Mining, hydroelectric development, tourism (polar bears, northern lights)
• Significant Indigenous population
• Challenges: Healthcare access, transportation, economic diversification

Minnesota's North: