Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation

Carmacks became an important stopping point for the many steamboats that travelled down the Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City. However, the area around what is now the present day Carmacks was always used by the First Nation People for: Fishing and Hunting in the summer and fall. Carmacks was not a spot that the First Nation People lived at on a yearly basis although they were very familiar with the area and used it yearly.

The People of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation use to live at Little Salmon Village, which is located about 35 kilometers from Carmacks on the Campbell highway. The First Nation People re-located to the community of Carmacks after the T&D Store moved from Little Salmon and the Coal Mine opened. Little Salmon is still used widely today for traditional activities, and is a respected spot within the First Nation Traditional Territory.

The Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation is one of the 14 First Nations in Yukon, and has a membership of 670 citizens. The First Nation holds elections for their One Chief and Six Councillors every four years, these numbers included on the Chief and council is one elder and one youth member: these council members are selected by their respective councils. The Chief and Council are responsible for the development and governance of the First Nation; and they report to the General Assembly (all citizens). A General Assembly is held on annually to inform citizens of what is happening in the Governance office.

The Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation uses Clan Moieties of the Wolf and Crow and they are a Matriarchal people; the children follow the clan of the Mother and Grandmother.

The Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation people are part of the Northern Tutchone language and cultural grouping and therefore are closely affiliated with the First Nations of: Mayo – Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation and Pelly Crossing – Selkirk First Nation. The three First Nations are formally associated through the Northern Tutchone Tribal Council, an organization which takes responsibility for some programs and services that have a common interest and concern to all three First Nations.

The Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation became self-governing in July, 1997. The registered population of First Nation members is numbered at approximately 500, of whom half live outside the community. With self-government the First Nation has the ability to make laws on its lands and on behalf of its citizens, and also has the option of taking over the delivery of programs and services for its membership. (Source)

More information:

Website: http://www.lscfn.ca/

History: http://www.lscfn.ca/history.html

Final Agreement: http://www.lscfn.ca/agree-fa.html

Self-Government Agreement: http://www.lscfn.ca/agree-sa.html