Super Turn Out for Open House

Over 200 visitors popped in to YFNED’s two office spaces to celebrate over a year of operation and the launch of the new Early Years Program. It was a great way for all our staff to connect with our partners, clients and supporters in this lively and social way. Thanks to everyone who showed up. We loved our conversations and look forward to deepening our connections in the coming year.

The MTU: Committed to the Communities

The Mobile Therapeutic Unit has been on the road non-stop this Fall. In fact, in 2021 alone, they have travelled the equivalent to three times across Canada, in making their rounds to the Yukon’s communities!

Wellness Team Update

During October, the Wellness Team traveled to Carmacks and spent three days working with every age group, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, offering silk screening, music, and illustration workshops. Mid-week the team hosted an Afterschool Family Gathering event for the youth and their families to connect with the team. There were games, art and storytelling around the fire. Later in the month, the Wellness Team traveled south to Carcross to host a screen printing workshop in the gym. Every class from K-to-12 had an opportunity to produce their own custom shirts.

The Wellness Team also launched their amazing new website, illustrated by team member Lara Bode. Check it out: www.yfned.ca/wellness

Allied Health Update

Hide Tanning Workshop

YFNED First Nation Education Advocates spent 4 days this month working on moose hides with dozens of students from Golden Horn Elementary, the Indigenous Academy at F.H. Collins Secondary, and the ABEL class from Porter Creek Secondary, under the guidance of Knowledge Keepers Edith Smith, Shirley Smith and Roger Ellis.

They called this session Hide Camp 2.0 as it’s a follow-up to the September workshop where students prepared the hides. This one had 3 stations: Scrape and Grain, Brain Water Soaking/Twisting, and Building and Using Frames.

Students and Knowledge Keepers built the frames using modern methods (using 2x4’s) as well as traditional old techniques (harvested poles, notched wood). The students learned about the chemistry behind tanning while soaking with brain water, and how to use traditional tools like woogas and tugwats as well as other techniques to end up with a quality end result.

Early Years Program Launch

The Early Years Program is officially launched! The team hosted dozens of families to their family-friendly space last Friday for their grand opening celebration.

The Early Years Family Centre is ready to welcome families into its great new space. Toys, activities, comfy chairs and snacks are always available.

Stay tuned: A calendar of all our Group Gatherings will be posted on our website (and Facebook) soon, and will be sent directly to all families who have already joined.

For more info on the program go to www.yfned.ca/earlyyears or call: (867) 667-6962 ext.123, or email: earlyyears@yfned.ca or stop by our office: 207 Black Street

Education Team Develops Needed Tools and Programs

Grad Planner

The Education Team has been continuing to send out the First Nation Grad Planners and posters to First Nation offices. They would like to hear from anyone with edits and suggestions. A feedback form can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Yuvma9

The Education Team is also available to travel to communities to talk about the Grad Tools (pandemic protocols permitting), so feel free to email education@yfned.ca to set up meeting time.

Indigenous Assessments

The Education Team has also been working with The Firelight Group to complete research on Indigenous early years assessments, Indigenous Academies and Indigenous approaches to math. They’re excited to announce that they’ll be posting those final reports on the YFNED website in the coming weeks.

First Nations Math Project

Working in partnership with FH Collins and selected feeder schools, the Education Team is embarking on a project aimed at improving First Nations student results in math. Part of this approach will include creating practical First Nations math camps were students can explore the practical applications of math in a modern First Nations context.

Post-Secondary Model Development

The Education Team has created a generic model (for those communities in Yukon and Northern BC that have not drawn-down on Education) to consider and adapt if proposed federal funding and operational changes championed by AFN are successful in 2022. We also are working with those First Nations on considering data needed to drive the potential models.

Nutrition Program Gearing up for Winter Break Hampers

Both the Urban and Rural Nutrition Teams have been busy in the kitchens of so many Yukon schools. Every day, hundreds of Indigenous kids are now receiving healthy meals and snacks at their school.

Check out the above poster to see the friendly faces of our talented cooks that are posted in Whitehorse-based schools.

The Nutrition Team is also gearing up for Winter Break Hampers distribution. Like last year, we will be providing hampers to Whitehorse and many rural communities to ensure families have nutritious grocery supplies over the Christmas break. The first Hampers are due to go out sometime in early December.

Recruiting New Moccasin Trailblazers

First Nation Education Conference Around the Corner

RISE Workshop

Welcome New Staff

Reg McGinty joins the YFNED Senior Leadership Team as the new Director of Indigenous Education and Advocacy. Reg is from the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun.

Michael Reynolds joins the Allied Health Team of the Mobile Therapeutic Unit as a Counsellor.

Coralee Buchanan Is joining the Early Years team as an Early Years Visitor.

Michelle Beckley is also joining the Early Years team as an Early Years Visitor. She is a member of the Teslin Tlingit Council.

Bree Josie is our new Early Years Visitor for the community of Old Crow. Bree is a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.

Ana-Marie Alesna joins our Nutrition Team as a Cook.

Naomi Hajian joins our Nutrition Team as a Cook.

Casidy Lawrence joins our Nutrition Team as a Cook.

Bonnie Chambers joins our Nutrition Team as a Cook. She is a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

Ronaldo Manabat joins our Nutrition Team as a Cook.

Jonah Platko is joining our Nutrition Team as a Cook.

For full staff bios and headshots, please visit our Meet the Team page on our website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov 12 Review of Inclusive and Special Education

Nov 20 Fall Family Feast (CANCELLED)

Jan 19&20 Annual First Nation Education Conference