Jan 2021 Edition

January was about coming together — pandemic and all — to build our voices in First Nations education. From the energizing conference, to the launch of the youth-led Moccasin Trailblazers, to the continual growth of YFNED wrap-around services through relationship-building.

2021 is off to a good start.

Momentum Builds at First Nation Education Conference

The Conference was a huge success in bringing over 250 people together — both in-person and virtually — to learn, network, and contribute to the surge of momentum in Yukon First Nations education.

Jody Wilson-Raybould, MP, made waves in her keynote address on Day One urging young students and adults to surround themselves with a circle of support and pursue their passion relentlessly. She provided insights on how to navigate the clashing (and bridging) of Indigenous and colonial world-views, as her time in the Liberal Cabinet illustrated.

On Day Two, Olympian-activist Waneek Horn-Miller shared her extraordinary tale of trauma and resilience — and how Indigenous teachings helped her overcome huge challenges in her life. “Resilience is like a muscle,” she says, and you need to practice to make it stronger. To all the educators, she says: “You are more than educators. You are dream sowers.”

A variety of breakout sessions covered topics such as culturally-based assessments, language revitalization, beading and tool making, school councils and many more. The conference also featured the launch of the Moccasin Trailblazers and the Mobile Therapeutic Unit.

“We are here to provide the path that we know best serves our Indigenous students and will lead them to success and opportunity,” said Melanie Bennett, YFNED Executive Director, in her closing words. “I will, and the YFNED will continue to be the persistent mosquito that will not rest until we see Indigenous schools built in Yukon that are based in our languages, our ways of being, our pedagogies, and that will provide the support for bettering the learning outcomes and opportunities for not just our Indigenous students but ALL students in Yukon.”

Unveiling of the Moccasin Trailblazers

You could have heard a pin drop when the Moccasin Trailblazers made their inaugural presentation at the Yukon First Nations Education Conference on January 21. Everybody was listening, rivetted, to the impassioned and intelligent youth voices rising up.

Formed in November, the eight youth (only four could attend the conference) came together under the support of YFNED to provide “Indigenous Youth Voices on Education.” They met for several on-the-land multi-day gatherings — to get to know each other, set their mandate, create a name and logo, shoot a video, and start forming their ideas and priorities.

Rejecting the words “council” for its overly colonial and bureaucratic tone, the group chose the title Moccasin Trailblazers because, “the word ‘trailblazers’ holds a lot of power,” says member Trina Pauls. “It’s about someone who goes first and makes a new path.”

With their critiques, ideas and creativity, this group will help inform the future of First Nations-led Education in the Yukon.

There is space for more participants. Please contact Adrianna Wondga for more information: adrianna.wondga@yfned.ca or 867.667.6962

Mobile Therapeutic Unit Launch

The Mobile Therapeutic Unit is a holistic allied health service for Indigenous youth aged 0 to 18 in both the rural and urban areas. Funded by Jordan’s Principle, the MTU is committed to working with families and communities to ensure Indigenous children receive culturally appropriate care that reflects the values and knowledge of Yukon First Nations.

The MTU team works within our wrap-around service model offering support alongside other YFNED programs (see above diagram) and complementary to exiting health services.

Our team will include

• A culturally-based mental wellness team

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Language Pathology

• Education Psychology

• Audiology

• Optometry

The MTU now has three Occupational Therapists on staff: Patrice Cameron, George Kokuryo, and Mathilde Leblanc and is actively staffing other positions.

Referrals: The MTU has an open referral policy to ensure all families and communities can access services.

Call 1-833-YFN-KIDS or email MTU@yfned.ca

Beaded Keychain Blitz Unites Yukon First Nations Youth

Over 250 beaded keychains were patiently made by youth from across the territory to go into our swag bags for the 2nd annual First Nation Education Conference held this January.

These beautiful keychains were crafted by dozens of Indigenous youth from Haines Junction, Teslin, Old Crow and Whitehorse, involving Elders and adults from various First Nations, and organized by YFNED staff.

Amazing.

Advocates Making a Difference

YFNED’s 12 First Nation Education Advocates have been working in Yukon public schools since last fall, and have made great strides in connecting with school staff, and building relationships with students and families.

The team ran an exciting two-day Salmon Camp at Takhini Elementary January 27 and 28 where students enjoyed all the hands-on experiences you’d find at a traditional salmon camp, while inside a classroom. Under the guidance of Elders, advocates and classroom staff, the kids learned cutting, drying and cooking with real salmon. They also engaged with playful learning equipment like a kid-size wall-tent for drying strips of paper fish, as well as stuffed salmon that open with a Velcro seal to reveal soft fabric “guts.”

Each First Nations Education Advocate has been assigned to specific schools in the territory. To view or download the full-size list click here or click on the poster above. For a paper copy, please drop by our office.

Funded through Jordan’s Principle, the First Nation Education Advocates provide support, guidance and advocacy to delivery culturally inclusive programming within schools. Through an Indigenous, wrap-around, holistic approach to education, the Advocates work with students, caregivers, school staff, the YFNED Mobile Therapeutic Unit and other specialists to improve outcomes for Indigenous students.

www.yfned.ca/advocates

Timeline Poster Reveals Need for Real Change

On a long drive to Dawson City last winter, YFNED Executive Director Melanie Bennett and Bill Bennett, the YFNED Mobile Therapeutic Unit Team Lead, passed the time listing every report that has ever been written on First Nations education in the Yukon and what impact it had.

That list, scratched onto scrap paper over a long wintry road trip, eventually made it’s way through the YFNED office, transformed by the team into a striking eight-foot long poster (on display at the 2021 First Nations Education Conference) but also available as an accordion-folded brochure.

Pick yours up at our office or click here to view or download the PDF.

New Staff Bios Page

Since launching less than a year ago with only a handful of staff, YFNED has grown into a large and dynamic team. Go to our new Meet the Team page to check out who we are.

A big welcome to our new Nutrition program staff: Courtney Wheelton, Eva Stehelin-Holland, and Emma Dobson. Watch out for exciting announcements from this crew as they launch groundbreaking new Nutrition services.

Education Analysts explore Indigenous Academy

YFNED’s Education Analysts Lindsay Moore, Darby Newnham and Chris Stacey have been working on research and consultation for an Indigenous Academy. One of the first goals is to connect with partners in the Yukon as well as indigenous partners in other communities to see how Indigenous Academies have been created and what lessons and information can be shared about those experiences. The goal is to create a proposal for an Indigenous Academy that will tentatively be launched in the Yukon in the Fall 2021 semester.

The analysts are also working on compiling and organizing data about student successes and challenges in the K-12 system across the Yukon, including the How Are We Doing reports, graduation rates as well as the Learning During COVID survey results.

In addition, the education team at YFNED is looking at barriers to graduation in terms of communication about which courses and credits are needed to graduate from grade 12. The focus of this project is to look at ways to create and promote graduation information tools and resources.

Another project that is a priority for the coming month is research and discussion on the development of a field trip forms/process. This form would be more culturally centered, around our Indigenous ways, and have a simplified work/process for school staff, while also ensuring that safety and communication between schools and families remains a priority.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb 23 Joint First Nations Health Commission with First Nations Education Commission. @ Best Western Gold Rush Inn. Info: Tracy Bruce 867.667.6962

Feb 24-25 First Nations Education Commission. @ Best Western Gold Rush Inn. Info: Tracy Bruce 867.667.6962