Bill D. Webber
Bill Webber is a citizen of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation. As a young man he worked in road construction, was the ferry operator during the Faro mine start-up, and worked at the Whitehorse Copper Mine. He and wife Adeline worked to establish the Yukon Association for Non-Status Indians (YANSI) in 1972.
In 1975, Bill was elected and became a senior officer responsible for the management and administration of YANSI for five years. He led the negotiation that led to the formation of the Council of Yukon Indians representing status, non-status, and Metis people of Yukon.1) In the 1970s, he was resident of YIFP, supported by YANSI, YNB, and YIWA to develop employment, training, business opportunities and activities related to pipeline development.2)
Between 1980 and 1983, he was special assistant to [John Munro] the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and kept the minister informed on Yukon issues by liaising with federal and territorial senior officials. 3) From 1983 to 1985, Bill was Vice-chair of Economic Development at CYI.4) Webber was elected to the Kwanlin Dun Council for two separate terms between 1995 and 2009. These were important years in the Kwanlin Dun’s negotiation and implementation of their 2005 self-government and land claim agreement.5)
Bill Webber has been on many boards and had many management roles over the years. In 2012, he was appointed to the Kilrich Industries Limited Partnership Board to represent KDFN’s significant interest in the company. In 2014, he was appointed a tribunal member to the Kwanlin Dun Judicial Council. He has also been the general manager of the Yukon Liquor Corporation; president and CEO of the Yukon Liquor Corporation; Director of Executive Services, Department of Indian and Northern Development (DIAND), Yukon Region; Manager - Economic Support Group, Northern Affairs Program, DIAND, Yukon Region; and Manager of Economic Development Agreements, Northern Affairs Program, DIAND, Yukon Region.6)
Bill Webber was awarded a 2020 Assembly of First Nations, Yukon Region, Lifetime Achievement award for his outstanding contribution to Yukon First Nations, the Yukon, and beyond.7) In March 2021, he was presented with an Assembly of First Nations Wellness Award for promoting the wellbeing of First Nation citizens.8)