Dawson City Council Faces Deadlock Over Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III

The town struggles to govern amid tensions over historic injustices towards indigenous peoples.

Dawson City, located in the Yukon Territory of Canada, finds itself in a legislative impasse as its newly elected council members, including mayor-elect Stephen Johnson, have collectively refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III. This requirement emerged during their recent swearing-in ceremony, scheduled shortly after last month’s election.

Johnson and the council's decision stems from solidarity with Darwyn Lynn, an indigenous council member who has expressed apprehensions regarding the Crown's historical treatment of Indigenous communities in Canada. As per Yukon law, newly elected officials must formally take the oath within 40 days or risk nullifying their election results. This effectively gives Johnson and the council a deadline until December 9 to resolve the issue, failing which their election will be rendered void.

The complexity of the situation has left the new council unable to make critical governance decisions, as Johnson articulated in a Canadian Press interview: “We can’t do anything legally required of us under the Municipal Act.”

In an effort to navigate this predicament, the council is seeking an alternative oath option from Yukon provincial officials. While a spokesperson confirmed the request has been received, no comments have been made on the likelihood of its approval.

Outgoing mayor Bill Kendrick expressed hope that a resolution manifests soon, emphasizing that the new council needs to commence its work. The community's reaction to this deadlock appears varied, with some viewing the oath as outdated and others seeing it as a critical symbol of governmental allegiance.

Dawson City is rich in history, having been at the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century. Its population of approximately 2,400 includes the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people, who were significantly impacted by the influx of settlers during the Gold Rush. Canada has increasingly acknowledged the need to address its colonial past, particularly in relation to its indigenous populations, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noting the country's historical injustices at the United Nations in 2017.

This isn't the first instance of elected officials in Canada resisting oaths to the monarchy. In 2022, Quebec's legislation discarded the oath for its elected officials, branding it a “relic from the past.” A similar motion proposed earlier this year in Canada’s national parliament was tabled, being rejected with a significant margin.

The future actions of the Dawson City council may set a precedent as discussions around colonial legacies and indigenous rights continue to shape Canadian governance.