The town council of Dawson City in Yukon Territory, Canada, has reached an impasse after its newly elected members, including Mayor-elect Stephen Johnson, refused to pledge allegiance to King Charles III. The refusal stems from solidarity with an indigenous council member and concerns about the historical relationship between the Crown and Canada’s indigenous peoples.
The swearing-in process, required under Yukon law, has stalled since Johnson and the council declined to take the Oath of Allegiance. The oath requires officials to swear or affirm that they “will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III and his heirs and successors according to law.” Without taking the oath, the council cannot assume office or fulfill legal duties under the Municipal Act. If the oath is not taken by December 9, the election results will be nullified.
In an interview with the Canadian Press, Johnson explained that the council’s decision is meant to support fellow councillor Darwyn Lynn, a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, who expressed reservations about swearing allegiance to the Crown. Johnson emphasized that the move was not an act of disrespect toward King Charles III or a call to abolish the monarchy. “It was just something we wanted to do together to show solidarity in what we do here in this town,” he said.
The council has requested Yukon provincial officials to allow an alternative oath. A spokesperson for Yukon’s Department of Community Services confirmed receiving the request but has not yet announced a decision. In the meantime, Dawson City remains unable to govern or make official decisions.
Bill Kendrick, the outgoing mayor, expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon. “I’d say it’s the whole gamut,” he said, describing the town’s mixed reaction to the standoff. Some residents view the oath as outdated, while others see it as integral to Canada’s governance system.
Dawson City, known for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, is home to 2,400 residents and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people, who were displaced during the gold rush. Canada has increasingly acknowledged its colonial history, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling it a legacy of “humiliation, neglect, and abuse” in 2017.
This controversy echoes similar incidents in Canada. In 2022, Quebec ended the monarchy oath requirement for its lawmakers, and earlier this year, a national parliament bill to eliminate the oath was defeated. Dawson City’s case underscores ongoing debates about the monarchy’s role in Canada’s governance and indigenous reconciliation.
