SELKIRK FIRST NATION IN CANADA

THIS TRIBE IS LOCATED AT THE VILLAGE OF PELLY CROSSING ON THE CENTRAL YUKON. THEY SPEAK THTCHONE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL GROUPING ARE CONNECTED TO THEIR NORTHERN NEIGHBORS. NACHO NYAK AND LITTLE SALMON CORKNECKS. THESE TRIBES ARE IN THE CARMACKS. THE FIRST NATIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A NORTHERN TUTCHONE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THEY HAVE MANY HISTORIC TIES WITH THE SOUTHERN TUTCHANE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SIMILAR CULTURE. THEY FIRST SETTLED INTHE HISTORIC COMMUNITYOF THE FUR TRADING FORT OF THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY IN 1850. THIS COMMUNITY REMAINED UNTIL 1950 WHEN THE RIVER BOATS STOPPED RUNNING. MANY FOLKS MOVED TO MINTO ALONG THE KLONDIKE HIGHWAY. THEY RELOCATED FURTHER NORTHWARD TO THE PRESENT DAY SITE OF PELLY CROSSING.

THE PELLY BAND EVENTUALLY BECAME KNOWN AS THE SELKIRK FIRST NATION AND BECAME SELF GOVERNING IN 1997. TODAY THEY HAVE 480 MEMBERS WITH 200 IN SQUARE MILES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES. THEY OWN ABOUT 1800 SQ. MILES AND WIL RECEIVE $16,600,000 OVER 15 YEARS. THEY MAKE LAWS AND DELIVER PROGRAMS. THE FIRST NATION IS GOVERNED BY A CHIEF AND COUNCIL WITH A CONSTITUTION, AND THEY REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE THE SELKIRK FIRST NATION HAS FORMED THEIR TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE CHIEF IS ELECTED AND THE COUNSILORS ARE SELECTED BY WOLF AND CROW CLANS.

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