In 1973, Elijah Smith and a delegation of Yukon Chiefs, including Dan Johnson of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, went to Ottawa to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada. Armed only with their determination, courage and the historic document, Together Today For Our Children Tomorrow, they were able to convince the federal government to begin a negotiation process for a modern-day treaty, the first in Canada. The Yukon had previously been left out of the treaty process and the Crown still had an obligation to fulfil

Elijah Smith and Yukon First Nations Chiefs, including Chief Dan Johnson of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, in front of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, 1973. (Yukon Archives. Andrew Joe collection 94/98 #2, PHO 477)

with Yukon First Nations based on the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and the 1870 Order of Canada. Winnie Atlin of the Ishkahittaan Clan talks of the involvement of Dan Johnson, her brother.

"Dan went with Elijah (Smith) and a whole bunch of them. He was a good chief here, he was well liked. That was him and Elijah and Ray Jackson and Johnny Smith, Percy Henry and a whole bunch of them. They are all on that poster. He was well liked, I know he was. It didn't matter how cold it was, he used to make his rounds up to Little Atlin, Squanga, wherever he was supposed to go."

William, a former Chief, and Winnie Atlin have both worked in various capacities for the First Nations. They are dedicated to the preservation of language and culture and also to seeing a better future for their grandchildren. (Marilyn Jensen, Carcross, Yukon, 2005)