A newly elected town council in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, finds itself in a challenging predicament as its members refuse to pledge allegiance to King Charles III during their swearing-in ceremony. This unusual situation has created a halt in governance for the council, highlighting tensions between traditional practices and contemporary views on Canada’s colonial legacy.
Elected last month, mayor-elect Stephen Johnson and his fellow council members were scheduled to take their oaths early this month. However, they stalled the process in support of an indigenous councillor who raised concerns regarding the historical relationship between the Crown and Canada’s indigenous peoples.
Under Yukon law, newly elected officials must complete their oath within 40 days of election or risk having their victory deemed invalid. This means that the council has until December 9 to resolve the situation and officially assume their roles.
Johnson noted that the inability to take the oath has left them legally powerless. He expressed frustration over their current inability to perform required duties under the Municipal Act.
The council’s refusal is not intended as a slight against King Charles III but rather a collective stand for solidarity with councillor Darwyn Lynn of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, who has expressed hesitance about pledging allegiance.
In light of this standoff, Dawson City’s new council has reached out to Yukon provincial authorities for permission to adopt an alternative oath. A spokesperson from Yukon’s Department of Community Services confirmed receipt of this request but withheld comments on its approval status.
Outgoing mayor Bill Kendrick hopes for a swift resolution so that the new council can begin governing effectively. He remarked on the mixed responses from residents regarding the oath; while some view it as outdated, others see it as an essential affirmation of Canada’s governance system.
Dawson City, with a population of 2,400, is historically significant as a central hub during the Klondike Gold Rush that began in 1896. Its location was once home to Tr’ochëk, a site significant to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people who experienced displacement due to influxes of settlers during this period.
Canada’s relationship with its indigenous populations remains complex and fraught with historical grievances. In recent years, there have been efforts at reconciliation and acknowledgment of past injustices; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly recognized Canada’s colonial legacy as one marked by “humiliation, neglect and abuse.”
This ongoing situation in Dawson City reflects broader discussions around colonial symbolism within Canadian governance. As other regions like Quebec have moved away from such oaths, it raises questions about how local councils will navigate these evolving attitudes moving forward.
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