Largest private landowner in Whitehorse prepares to offer up land for lease

The Yukon government and Kwanlin Dun First Nation (KDFN) say it's a first in Canada. The First Nation is laying the groundwork tolease land that it has title to, under self-government agreements.

Other First Nations have leased reserve landunder Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Kwanlin Dun willsell leasehold interests under Yukon's Land Titles Act, on settlement lands.

"Today has been a long time coming, and it is a significant step in what has been a long complex process," saidChief Doris Billof theKwanlinDun First Nation.

KwanlinDun is the largest private landowner in Whitehorse, with 85 settlement land parcels totalling over 2,385 ha.

The Yukon government amended itsLand Titles Act soits settlement lands could be listed on the territory's land registry a requirement for bank financing without affecting Aboriginal rights and title.Now people interested in leasing land can qualify for mortgages from financial institutions.

The Yukon Lands Titles Office will registerleasehold interests to the general public.Leasehold interest allows the purchaser to have exclusive possession of the leased land for up to 125 years. Itcan also be bought and sold.

Bill says aleasehold interest will provide certainty for land purchasers.

When alease expires, Kwanlin Dun hasthe option of de-registering it at the land titles office. The First Nation will still retain Aboriginal title of their land.

"We have designed a proven framework that enables select parcels of KDFN settlement land to go to market, for both commercial and residential use," Bill said.

"More importantly, it ensures Kwanlin Dun First Nation retains ownership of its settlement land, forever," Bill added.

In 2015,KDFNcouncil amended its self government agreement for leasing land. Settlement landleases registered at the Land Titles Office have priority over Aboriginal rights, interest and title, for a period of the lease agreement.

The Yukon government amended its Land Title Act in 2016, to allow settlement land leases to be registered atthe Land Titles Office.

Premier Sandy Silver called it a historic step in the reconciliation process.

"This process is the first of its kind in Canada, and once again the Yukon is leading theway ...this might be the first-ever, anywhere."