In addition to requests from industry to engage directly on proposed projects, it is not unusual for First Nations with land interests in Yukon to be challenged by the sheer volume of permit and licence application referrals and draft Decision Documents they receive from government each week. Understandably, most First Nations do not have the capacity to properly address all the requests they receive. The lack of defined and predictable capacity funding to support the ability of First Nations to hire and retain expert assistance to deal with technical, legal and financial aspects of project proposals and permit applications is a fundamental systemic challenge for First Nations. In turn, these capacity challenges undermine the ability of First Nations to develop clear consultation and engagement policies and pathways (guidebooks) for exploration companies and government to follow. The domino effect is that this forces First Nations into a reactionary mode, which in turn exacerbates the capacity gap and potentially turns collaborative economic opportunities and partnerships into divisive challenges between industry and First Nations.
