Hähkè Darren Taylor reacts to Carney's proposed billions to First Nations

We've heard about the billions of dollars promised in funding that could help First Nations in today's federal budget. But a Yukon First Nations chief says money alone isn't enough. Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Darren Taylor, says federal investments must also help protect Indigenous identity. Hyunjung Kim reports. Funding for emergency preparedness, First Nations and Inuit policing program, and Indigenous workforce readiness. These are some of the new proposed funding Mark Carney announced. Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Darren Taylor was at the First Nations First Minister's meeting as a self-governing indigenous government representative from the Yukon. He says while he acknowledges the financial commitment, money isn't everything. Our identity, our language, our songs, our dances, our core being is who we are as a people. It's our direct interaction with our land and our environment. So money can never fulfill those obligations which are priceless in my view. Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in is one of only a few dozen self-governing First Nations out of over 600 across Canada. Still, Taylor says it's crucial to keep speaking up at these meetings and make sure the First Nation has a direct say in how the money is spent. We made that clear at this meeting that we represent ourselves. We didn't delegate any authority to the AFN or any non-government organization to engage in dialogue or set a path forward for our respective communities. We're a government. We're a form of government. We act like a government. We expect to be engaged as a government and not through a non-government organization. If that's the case then good luck in advancing any project here. It's just not going to happen. And that's also his advice to other First Nations. Make your voices heard, be representative at these meetings, speak on behalf of your communities, and, you know, just get out there and make your expectations known. Taylor says the priority will always be to protect First Nations' rights and titles. Hyunjung Kim, CBC News, Dawson City.