Through our rich history, culture and traditions, we, the Selkirk people, are striving to become a self sufficient First Nation. Since the beginning of time, our people have used our land for healing, nurturing and guidance. Our footsteps today still walk alongside our ancestors in practicing our traditional lifestyles and will continue for generations to come. Please stay with us a while and listen to our Elders tell stories, learn our native tongue, get the latest updates or simply browse around and get to know us better. Ededeja' ,hata,taw' da'tthi," - Mussi Cho
Our Home
The Selkirk First Nation Government and people reside in the rural community of Pelly Crossing, the halfway point between the Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse and the infamous Dawson City. Originally, the Selkirk people lived in Fort Selkirk where they used to go by the Hucha Hudan name. In the early days, the Selkirk people had a trading relationship with the Coastal Tlingit and would meet to trade during the summer fish camps on the site where Fort Selkirk was to be built by the Hudson’s Bay Company. After the fur-trading fort was built, the Selkirk people settled there on a more permanent basis, continuing to trap, fish, hunt and gather year-round in their traditional areas. The construction of the Klondike Highway changed everything and soon our people moved to Minto and later on, settled in Pelly Crossing and other communities. Today, Fort Selkirk is an important heritage site and is co-managed by the Selkirk First Nation and the Government of Yukon. Pelly Crossing remains alongside the beautiful Pelly River and is an ever expanding and developing community.
Our Government
In July of 1997, the Selkirk First Nation signed off on their land claim at Minto Landing, making them the 7th self governing First Nation in the Yukon. The First Nation is governed by a Chief and Council whose responsibilities and authorities flow through a constitution, and who report to the General Assembly, an annual gathering of all the citizens where important decisions and discussions take place. The Selkirk First Nation has turned to a modified form of traditional government, in that the Chief and Council are elected into leadership every three years.