For too long, conversations about Arctic defence and security have happened without the full and equal participation of those who live in the North. Decisions have been made far from our communities, often without meaningful engagement – or at all. The result has been policies that overlook both the lived realities and the strengths of Yukon First Nations.
The release of Yukon First Nations Defence and Security: Prioritizing Sovereignty, Preparedness, and Partnership marks a significant shift. It is not simply a set of recommendations; it is a roadmap for how Canada can strengthen its northern security by working with, rather than around, Yukon First Nations.
The report reflects over three years of collaboration between the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region and the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network. It builds on virtual open houses and the inaugural Yukon First Nations Defence and Security Industries Conference, which brought together leaders, experts, and practitioners to discuss climate resilience, emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure, and economic security.
What makes this work different, is the approach. Instead of consultation after decisions have been made, it is co-creation from the start. Yukon First Nations are already leading in emergency management, infrastructure development, and economic innovation. The report calls on all partners to recognize, support, and resource that leadership.
The findings are rooted in the lived experiences of Yukon First Nations. From maintaining year-round transportation infrastructure in the face of permafrost thaw to managing the increasing risks of wildfire, flooding, and extreme weather, life in the North demands tailored, locally driven solutions. Participants stressed the need for sustained investment in dual-use infrastructure that meets both community needs and national defence priorities, including airports, telecommunications systems, and transportation routes critical for security operations, health care, food security, and economic development.
The report also emphasizes the value of the Canadian Rangers as community-based security assets. Strengthening these programs with better training, equipment, and support will improve Arctic defence and empower northern communities to lead their safety and preparedness. In the North, climate change is a security challenge that affects every aspect of life. Thawing permafrost threatens infrastructure, unpredictable ice conditions affect hunting and travel, and frequent extreme weather events strain emergency response systems.
The report calls for a whole-of-society approach to climate resilience, where federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments work together to anticipate and address emerging risks. That means not only responding to disasters but investing in prevention and adaptation. Yukon First Nations hold traditional knowledge and place-based expertise that can shape more effective and sustainable strategies.
Security in the North is also about economic resilience. Yukon First Nations are clear that partnerships with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces must include opportunities for First Nation businesses and development corporations. This could mean procurement contracts, participation in infrastructure projects, and involvement in training and operational exercises. Economic partnerships build local capacity, create jobs, and ensure that investments in Arctic security strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. It is part of embedding sovereignty and self-determination into defence planning.
The overarching message is simple: if Canada wants to protect the North, it must partner with those who have been protecting it for generations. That requires moving beyond symbolic gestures to concrete, sustained collaboration. First Nations must be engaged from the outset of planning processes. Decision-making must be transparent and inclusive. Resources must go where they will have the most significant impact, and success must be measured not only in strategic outcomes but in community well-being.
The path forward is one of shared leadership. When federal and territorial governments, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Yukon First Nations work side by side, we are stronger in defending the Arctic and in building a future where communities are safer, more resilient, and more self-reliant. The report is an invitation to change the way we think about security in the North. The work ahead will require trust, respect, and a willingness to listen and adapt. It will require recognizing that Yukon First Nations are partners with knowledge, capacity, and a vested interest in protecting our lands and people.
Canada’s ability to respond to Arctic security challenges will depend on how well we embrace this shift. The threats we face are complex and evolving. The solutions must be equally dynamic and grounded in the realities of those who call the North home. As we move forward, we must commit to co-creation, not consultation after the fact. We must ensure that investments in defence also strengthen our communities, and we must build a model of partnership in the Yukon that can inspire and guide northern security efforts across the country.
The North is changing. The question is whether our approach to security will change with it. The report offers a path forward. It is up to all of us to take it.
As Regional Chief, I have heard the call from our leaders, our Elders, and our people. We are ready to lead, and we are asking Canada to walk beside us. The future of the North cannot be decided in boardrooms far away. It must be built here, together, in partnership and good faith. Our sovereignty is not negotiable. Our knowledge is not optional. Our participation is not a courtesy. If we want a secure and prosperous Arctic, the time to act is now, and the way forward is clear.
--
Read Yukon First Nations Defence and Security: Prioritizing Sovereignty, Preparedness, and Partnerships here: https://www.naadsn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-YFN-Defence-Security-Final-Report.pdf
--
Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, Aagé, (she/her) is a proud northerner, citizen of Kluane First Nation, and mother to her daughter, Tayāna Copper-Jane. She honours and acknowledges the Matriarchs who have welcomed her into the Dakl’aweidi (Killer whale) Clan. Her Grandmother, the late Agnes Johnson, Ch’aalį umą̀, always reminded her that her post-secondary education, lived experiences and ancestry, have given her the ability to analyze the world around her from several different perspectives. Kluane is a First Nation woman with mixed ancestry. Having lived in both northern and southern parts of the country, her experiences have given her the ability to analyze the world around her from several converging perspectives. In 2020 she received a ‘ Top 25 Canadian Women of Influence’ award in recognition of her contributions and achievements. She has always been passionate about supporting the next generation and led the founding of ‘Our Voices’ – Northern Indigenous Emerging Leaders Collective. Kluane continues to press for change in the ways that women, young people, and the next generation are included in decision-making forums, and she is committed to advancing solutions while approaching leadership from a true place of values.