Newly elected officials in Dawson City, Yukon, are unable to govern until they take an oath of allegiance to King Charles III, but they are refusing in support of an indigenous member voicing historical concerns about the Crown.
Dawson City Council Stalemate Over Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III
Dawson City Council Stalemate Over Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III
A standstill among Dawson City’s new council arises as members refuse to pledge allegiance to the monarchy, citing solidarity with indigenous rights.
In Dawson City, located in the Yukon Territory of Canada, a newly elected town council is at an impasse after its members declined to pledge their allegiance to King Charles III. The council, led by mayor-elect Stephen Johnson, was set to be sworn in earlier this month but stalled on the ceremonial oath due to concerns raised by Darwyn Lynn, an indigenous council member from the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Johnson stated that their refusal is an act of solidarity with Lynn, reflecting on the troubling history the Crown shares with Canada's indigenous population.
Yukon law mandates that newly elected officials must take the oath within 40 days of their election to prevent their victories from being deemed invalid. With a deadline looming on December 9, the council cannot perform any essential governance or decision-making processes until the situation is resolved. Johnson expressed frustration, stating, “We can’t do anything legally required of us under the Municipal Act,” illuminating the legal quandary they find themselves in.
The mayor-elect clarified that their position is not intended as a statement against King Charles III. Instead, it serves as a unified demonstration of empathy and respect for indigenous communities’ concerns. The council has sought alternative oath arrangements, but the Yukon Department of Community Services has yet to respond to this inquiry.
Outgoing Mayor Bill Kendrick expressed hopes that the council’s predicament would soon be resolved, recognizing the mixed opinions within the community surrounding the oath. Many view it as an outdated remnant of colonial legacy, while others perceive it as a vital aspect of the country’s governance framework. Dawson City, shaped by its role in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, carries a complex history that includes the displacement of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people.
In recent years, Canada has initiated dialogues recognizing its colonial legacy towards indigenous peoples. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau articulated the damaging consequences of colonialism to the United Nations. Notably, the topic of allegiance to the monarchy has stirred discussions across Canada; in 2022, Quebec abolished the oath requirement for elected officials, indicating a growing sentiment that such oaths are remnants of a bygone era. However, attempts to pursue similar reforms at the national parliament level have thus far met resistance, indicating the ongoing debate surrounding monarchy and governance in Canada.
Yukon law mandates that newly elected officials must take the oath within 40 days of their election to prevent their victories from being deemed invalid. With a deadline looming on December 9, the council cannot perform any essential governance or decision-making processes until the situation is resolved. Johnson expressed frustration, stating, “We can’t do anything legally required of us under the Municipal Act,” illuminating the legal quandary they find themselves in.
The mayor-elect clarified that their position is not intended as a statement against King Charles III. Instead, it serves as a unified demonstration of empathy and respect for indigenous communities’ concerns. The council has sought alternative oath arrangements, but the Yukon Department of Community Services has yet to respond to this inquiry.
Outgoing Mayor Bill Kendrick expressed hopes that the council’s predicament would soon be resolved, recognizing the mixed opinions within the community surrounding the oath. Many view it as an outdated remnant of colonial legacy, while others perceive it as a vital aspect of the country’s governance framework. Dawson City, shaped by its role in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, carries a complex history that includes the displacement of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people.
In recent years, Canada has initiated dialogues recognizing its colonial legacy towards indigenous peoples. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau articulated the damaging consequences of colonialism to the United Nations. Notably, the topic of allegiance to the monarchy has stirred discussions across Canada; in 2022, Quebec abolished the oath requirement for elected officials, indicating a growing sentiment that such oaths are remnants of a bygone era. However, attempts to pursue similar reforms at the national parliament level have thus far met resistance, indicating the ongoing debate surrounding monarchy and governance in Canada.
