Kwanlin Dun drummers interrupt premier at S-6 hearings

The parliamentary committee studying Bill S-6 got off to an unexpected start this morning whenKwanlin Dun drummers interrupted Premier Darrell Pasloski's opening statements with a welcome song.

Committee chair Blake Richards triedto stop the drummers, but they responded by explaining that this is their traditional territory. People in the room stood torecognize the drummers and applauded.

The committee then heard fromthe Yukon governmentand Yukon First Nations on Bill S-6, which proposes amendments totheYukon Environmental and Socio-EconomicAssessment Act (YESAA).

• Backgrounder:Bill S-6 faces standing committee hearing in Whitehorse today

Pasloski spoke first,repeatinghis message thatS-6 will be good for the Yukon's economy and will improve environmental outcomes.

The premier saidYukon First Nations have modern treaties that have taken years to establish and noted that YESAA is federal legislation, but he did offer an olive branch by suggesting a bilateral accordwith First Nations and the Yukon government to resolve the outstanding issues.

Yukon First Nations reacted positively to that suggestion, although they noted that consultation has not been adequate and they used words like: "lack of trust," "frustration," and "breach of the honour of the crown" during their speeches.

The First Nations and the premier were questioned by Liberal and NDPmembers of Parliament, as well as by Yukon ConservativeMP Ryan Leef.

The First Nations told the committee YESAA is "no ordinary piece of legislation" and that it can't be changed like otherfederal laws.

Chief Doris Bill of Kwanlin Dun First Nation summed up much of the First Nations' previous submissions when she said: "We will not allow this to proceed."

TheYukonChamber of Mines, Klondike Placer Miners' Association and the Yukon Environment and Socio-EconomicAssessment Board will speak to the committee Mondayafternoon.