Kwanlin Dun First Nation can now lease settlement lands

One of the largest land owners in Whitehorse can now openup some of its land for commercial and residential development.

The Kwanlin Dun First Nation needed the Yukon government to make amendments to the Land Titles Act before the First Nation could list its settlement lands on the territory's land registry, a requirement for bank financing.

The act was amended this week, giving the First Nation the green light .Kwanlin Dun Chief Doris Bill says the ability to lease land isan important stepfor the First Nation.

"We need to generate revenue and this we worked very hard on," she says. "This will move the First Nation forward in a huge way; it means we can start developing our lands in the near future."

Bill says the ability to lease land won't affect aboriginal rights or title.

The First Nation has 1,042 square kilometres of land in the Yukon;24 square kilometres of that is inWhitehorse.