As an offshoot of the YNB, the Council for Yukon Indians (CYI) was formed in 1973, to be the negotiating body, and negotiations began in Vancouver. The negotiations were marked by what was to become an issue in the process for some time -- that of how to define the term "Indian." The Council for Yukon Indians believed that they must represent all Yukon First Nations people whether they were 'status' or 'non-status' as defined by the Indian Act. The Federal Government was adamant that they could only negotiate in the interests of status Indians and the lands, programs, and services directed to them.