379
Arctic Yearbook 2015
Notably, Yukon spearheaded the development of the Arctic Adaptation Exchange information portal.
On the international stage, Yukon has a decidedly Arctic identity.
Secondly, regarding the structure of the economy, Yukon seems very much pacific-northwestern. Its
economic reliance on natural resource development and tourism focuses Yukon’s interest on border
and trade issues, labour mobility, and access to resource-hungry Asian markets. For these reasons
Yukon is an active participant in the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER). Like its
PNWER colleagues Yukon tends to cast its economic gaze to the Pacific.
Third, Yukon’s relatively small population significantly influences its role in Canadian confederation.
On many intra-Canadian matters Yukon has much in common with other members of confederation
with small populations. At Federal-Provincial-Territorial meetings on subjects like internal trade,
regional economic development, or capital markets regulation, Yukon often aligns its policy positions
with the Atlantic Provinces who share similar challenges. So in this sense, Yukon’s identity within
Canada is defined to a degree by its small population.
Finally, Yukon’s most obvious identity is as a northern Canadian territory. As a result of devolution
the Yukon functions as a province in all but name, but its federal funding and unique constitutional
status set it apart. It is a leader in Aboriginal-State relations with First Nations land claims and selfgovernment having altered the foundation of its political architecture. These realities influence how
Yukon interacts with its regional neighbours, particularly on issues of trans-boundary renewable
resource management. While it is exceedingly obvious, Yukon’s identity as a territory has an
undeniable role in how Yukon conducts itself outside of its borders.
Like all sub-national governments in the circumpolar north the Yukon is dynamic and multifaceted.
Its geography, economy, population and political institutions all influence how it is perceived by
others, and how it perceives itself. Recognizing and understanding these identities help explain its
policies and positions, and how and why it conducts itself on the international, national, and regional
stage. This is particularly important given the increasing role of sub-national governments in the Arctic
and circumpolar north. As the relevance of sub-national governments like Yukon ascend, so too
should the scrutiny, analysis and understanding of what makes them tick.
Dixon