Paul Birckel Nashiya (1939 - 2021)
	
Paul Birckel was born in the Burwash Landing area and spent his early life in that community and at Haines Junction.((Paul Tukker, “Paul Birckel, leader in Yukon land claim negotiations, has died.” //CBC News,// 9 July 2021. CBC 2021 website: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/paul-birckel-yukon-obituary-1.6095589.)) He worked in Alberta and Saskatchewan oil patches and then began a sixteen-year career with the Yukon Electrical Company Limited where he became assistant superintendent, overseeing the diesel plants’ maintenance.  He left the company in 1975 to become the executive director of the Council of Yukon Indians in 1975. During his term, the Council undertook major land claim negotiations and an amalgamation of three Indigenous organizations.((“Paul Birckel: Public Service (2000).” //Inspire,// 2021 website: https://indspire.ca/laureate/paul-birckel-2/))
	
Paul Birckel was elected chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) in 1978 and served five terms. He led the negotiations for CAFN’s land claim and self-government agreements that were signed in 1993 and came into effect in 1995. One of his biggest achievements was negotiating a pioneering child welfare agreement between CAFN and the Yukon Government in the 1990s.((Paul Tukker, “Paul Birckel, leader in Yukon land claim negotiations, has died.” //CBC News,// 9 July 2021. CBC 2021 website: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/paul-birckel-yukon-obituary-1.6095589.))
	
In 1996, Birckel negotiated and signed an agreement with British Columbia to co-manage Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. He was also helped establish the Yukon Native Language Centre and the Champagne-Aishihik Construction Company and Truss Plant.((“Paul Birckel: Public Service (2000).” //Inspire,// 2021 website: https://indspire.ca/laureate/paul-birckel-2/)) It was his vision that led to the development of the Matataina Resort at Kathleen Lake.((“Late chief remembered for leadership, integrity.” //The Whitehorse Star// (Whitehorse), 9 July 2021.)) He participated in helping several First Nations purchase the Yukon Inn and launching a forest products division at Dakwakada, CAFN’s investment arm. He was named Businessman of the Year by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce in 1995.  In 2000, Birckel was named an Indspire Award Laurate, one of only six Yukoners to receive the award. In 2002, he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal.((Paul Tukker, “Paul Birckel, leader in Yukon land claim negotiations, has died.” //CBC News,// 9 July 2021. CBC 2021 website: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/paul-birckel-yukon-obituary-1.6095589.))
	
Paul and Kathy Birckel were married for more than sixty-one years and had children Gary, Gail, and Darrel. They had an old cabin at Klukshu and, after settling in Whitehorse, Paul still spent time at his cabin at Dezadeash Lake.((Paul Tukker, “Paul Birckel, leader in Yukon land claim negotiations, has died.” //CBC News,// 9 July 2021. CBC 2021 website: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/paul-birckel-yukon-obituary-1.6095589.)) He is remembered for his wisdom, knowledge, vision, and contributions to the wellbeing of his people.((“Late chief remembered for leadership, integrity.” //The Whitehorse Star// (Whitehorse), 9 July 2021.))