The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, Bill S-6, self-government, and missing and murdered indigenous women are key issues in the federal election for the Council of Yukon First Nations, and it sent questions to Yukon's candidates to find out where they stand on them.

"We take great interest in the federal election," the questionnaire states. "We believe it is of utmost importance that our Citizens have answers to questions that are relevant to us, as First Nations, to make an informed decision."

The questions were sent on Sept. 8, and candidates were asked to respond within a week. Nine days later, the NDP's Melissa Atkinson, Liberal Larry Bagnell and Green candidate Frank De Jong had submitted their answers, but Conservative candidate Ryan Leef had not.

NDP response

NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson says an NDP government would immediately repeal "undemocratic" Bill S-6, which she says "will bring further uncertainty and harm to Yukon's economy."

She also says her party will ensure reliable long-term funding for Yukon First Nations, and address violence against aboriginal women with expanded access to shelters and transition houses.

Atkinson also says she will prioritize implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and her party will establish an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Liberal response

Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell says his party will also establish an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, and implement a Federal Reconciliation Framework in response to the TRC report. He also says the Liberals would repeal the "four offending amendments" to Bill S-6.

Bagnell also says a Liberal government would ensure the Kelowna Accord — an agreement reached between First Nations and Paul Martin's Liberal government, later abandoned by Stephen Harper's Conservative government — is embraced and implemented, to make up for "10 long, lost years."

Bagnell says his party would review any legislation "unilaterally imposed on Indigenous Peoples," and rescind any deemed unacceptable.

Green response

Frank De Jong of the Green Party also wants to repeal those "reprehensible parts of Bill S-6," and launch a national inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women. He says the Greens would support full implementation of all the recommendations of the TRC.

De Jong says Greens will work to settle land claims, and establish self-government agreements. His party would also invest in traditional language education, and remove the post-secondary funding cap for First Nations students.