-HAINES JUNCTION-
Champagne/Aishihik First Nations

JAMES ALLEN

A member of the Aishihik First Nation and a member of the wolf clan, James Allen is the Chief of the Champagne/Ashihik First Nations. His First Nation name is "Jamena", growing up, his nickname was "Adakata Ta".

He was born at Bear Lakes, Yukon and grew up in the Haines Junction area and now resides at Canyon Creek. He has also lived in Old Crow, Faro, Dawson City, Watson Lake and Whitehorse. I have lived and worked outside of the Yukon in Didsbury, Alta. and Quesnel, B.C.

After graduating with a Forestry Diploma with Electrical eductaion, he went on to do a many things along his path to becoming chief. In the 1970s, he had worked for Yukon Lands and Resources and later as an Indian Act Liaison for the Yukon Native Brtotherhood.
During the '90s, he acted as councillor for CAFN. Nearing the end of the '90s to 2002 he became the Director of Secretariat for CAFN. During that time, he had managed his own Consulting firm, Tutchtone Resources, from 1990- 2002. After which, in 2002, he established a tourism company called Shakat Tun adventures.

Chief Allen is firmly grounded in his cultural beliefs and values. He is fluent in his traditional language, Southern Tutchone. Some of his fond pastimes is going out trapping, setting fishnets and hunting. In the past, he has held culture camps for elementary schools, the college and even a group of Japanese University students on his trapline.

Presently, he is under the tutelage of the elders and learning how to do collections and how to assist families at Potlatches and burials.

During his time, he has done many things to further the development of the CAFN. He is the instigator of the development of the CAFN Mission Statement and Strategic Plan to focus our First Nations Organization. He is responsible for the consolidation of the CAFN offices under one roof in the new administration building in Haines Junction. He initiated members to commence in their healing journey by getting funding to establish the Aishihik Lake Treatment Centre. As well, he activiely participates with the US and CAFN Elders in the potlatch and burial ceremony of Kwaday Dan Ts'inchi.

As Chief he plans on furthering the CAFN through many different ways. He hopes to improve the presence of the traditional language and culture in community functions and in the workplace, by finding ways to incorporate the cultural values and beliefs in throughout the organization.

"Our Language and our Culture makes us a distinct people and gives us our pride, dignity and our identity." - James Allen

Furthermore, he hopes to re-establish the CAFN Economic Development Corporation, as he feels that it is the KEY to self-sufficiency and self-determination. With the help of the Elders we wishes to establish a unique CAFN Judicial System which combines forms of both First Nation and British judicious systems. For the youth, he supports any initiative that will improve the well being of the children as he sees them as our most valuable resource. As well, he is a storng believer and supporter for the establishment of a CAFN Healing Centre and will continue toward that goal.

"In order for our people to move forward
we must heal and work together." -James Allen