March Newsletter

March 2022

YFNED is working toward the long-overdue, unified control of First Nations education in the Yukon.

Conference Celebrates Momentum in First Nations Education

Our 3rd Annual First Nation Education Conference “From Cradle to Community Member” was an incredible success with over 200 in-person and 100 virtual participants enjoying a range of topics and presenters. So much learning, laughter and connections made by all.

Gunałchîsh to Gunta Business for their amazing conference support and the staff at Haa Shagóon Hídi Learning Centre in Carcross.

Recordings of the conference will be available at www.yfned.ca/conference

Keynote Kendal Netmaker shares his stories of resilience and wisdom.

Melanie Bennett, YFNED Executive Director, and VGFN Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, Chair of Chiefs Committee on Education, introduces Melissa Flynn, the newly appointed Interim Executive Director of the First Nation School Board.

There were many great conversations and connections made in the breakout sessions and main hall presentations.

Zombie Movies, Murals and More with the MTU

March saw the Mobile Therapeutic Unit (MTU) all over the territory.

The MTU went to Faro to make movies and paint mural artwork to connect with the amazing students from Del Van Gorder School. Two classrooms got a makeover. Students also made their own Zombie Movie learning filmmaking fundamentals with Douglas Joe of Creative Crow Media. Thanks to the amazing students, staff and parents at DVG School!

The MTU Allied Health team has been on the road with other staff from YFNED to visit many communities including Mayo, Dawson City, Beaver Creek, Watson Lake, Old Crow, Pelly Crossing, Carmacks, Faro, Carcross and Ross River.

In Watson Lake, the MTU’s Community Junior Support Workers (CJs) continue to provide weekly peer support to both grade 1 classrooms at Johnson Elementary School. The CJs also supported the well-attended Spring Break programming in Watson Lake.

In Beaver Creek, we hired a CJ to provide daily language activities to younger students.

In Carcross, we hired a CJ who will be providing weekly one-on-one literacy support for early elementary students and mentorship support for a junior high student.

At the “Working in Two Worlds” professional development conference in Carcross, the Speech-Language Pathology team presented a hands-on workshop on early literacy. The team looks forward to continuing to work with caregivers to support the language and literacy of children throughout the Yukon.

Classroom mural painting in Faro with the MTU’s Wellness Team.

Douglas Joe teaching Faro students the filmmaking basics with the production of a zombie movie.

The Community Junior Support Workers (CJs) of Watson Lake with our Speech Language Pathologist Terri Gordon.

Mussi Cho to all the families at the Ethel Lake Cultural Camp who so generously welcomed YFNED's Mobile Therapeutic Unit.

Advocates Celebrate new On-the-Land Campuses

KDFN Elder Russel Burns at Atà Kú land-based learning campus.

Advocates at Łuzę̀la Mǟn Land-Based Learning Campus at Fish Lake.

Junior Advocates speaking at our two-day workshop for First Nations educators entitled, “Working in Two Worlds” held in Carcross.

YFNED’s team of First Nation Education Advocates and Junior Advocates have had an incredibly productive month in and outside the classroom. They continue to work one-on-one and in groups to provide academic supports in their assigned schools, particularly the Individual Learning Centre (ILC), the Indigenous Academy at FH Collins Secondary, and the Porter Creek Culture Room.

Here are some highlights:

March 30th marked the first day that school children visited our new Łuzę̀la Mǟn Land-Based Learning Campus at Fish Lake! Grade 7 teacher Alicia Coates from Elijah Smith Elementary brought her class out to learn about harvesting and play hand games with Knowledge Keepers Roger Ellis and Andy Carlick.
Junior Advocates did an amazing job speaking at our two-day workshop for First Nations educators entitled, “Working in Two Worlds” held in Carcross.
Senior and Junior Advocates supported Porter Creek Secondary School’s Culture Camp and harvested a bison while on the land at Kloo Lake.
Advocates supported spring break cultural programming at Ketsedan, (they learn place) campuses, including Horse Camp at Shadhäla, CYFN children’s camp at Atà Kú, and YNLC’s camp.
Youth camp at Atà Kú, including firewood processing and Elder delivery at Ketsadan Nakhų̄ Chù.
Advocates supported a very popular spring break camp in Watson Lake at Mt. Maichen.
Both Senior and Junior Advocates and a handful of Mini Advocates built a small classroom and First Aid station out at Łuzę̀la Mǟn campus at Fish Lake (property of the Anderson family) in preparation to support classes in schools to easily access a land-based learning location.
Advocates wrapped up the month by supporting the ILC with their culture week, supported by Knowledge Keepers Russell Burns, Philip Smith, Andy Carlick, Madeleine Jackson, Mary Greenland and Steven Shorty, and with running a drum-making workshop with Indigenous Academy students with Knowledge Keeper Joe Migwans.

Early Years — Gathering and Growing

Early Years staff Linda Huebschwerlen presents at the First Nation Education Conference.

The Early Years Team gathered for a group portrait.

The Early Years program was bustling in March, with two wonderful group gatherings with 10 families attending and a sharing circle around “identity” with Mary Battaja, plus a beading circle with Elder Jean Ann Carlick.

Early Years also:

Held 4 family cooking classes during Spring Break.
Presented at the 3rd annual education conference, with special guest, former prime minster Paul Martin.
Held a Professional Development day for the staff at Nlaye Ndasadaye Daycare about Truth & Reconciliation, and Cultural Programming in daycare settings.

Early Years — April Activities

All Indigenous families, whether registered with our program or not, are welcome to attend our drop-ins. There will be snacks, activities, beading and knitting supplies, and a chance to see our space and meet the Early Years team.

If you have any questions, drop in at 207 Black Street, email
EarlyYears@yfned.ca, or call 867-667-6962 ext. 123 or check out www.yfned.ca/EarlyYears

Welcome New Staff!

Blake Lepine will be joining our First Nation Education Advocates team in early April. Blake is a Citizen of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, within the larger Łingit Nation, and also associates with the Hän people from the Moosehide area north of Dawson City, as well as the Mikisew Cree First Nation located in Northern Alberta. Blake began studies in his traditional Łingit art form at the age of 17. He has been fortunate to be working as an artist his entire adult life, and blessed to have apprenticed under some of the best carvers in the Yukon. We are pleased to have Blake join us!

Farewells

Reg McGinty, Director Indigenous Education and Advocacy, will be departing YFNED to explore new opportunities.

Ana-Marie Alesna, Cook helper with our urban nutrition team, is moving on. The team at PCSS will miss her support in the kitchen!

Tanner Coyne, Wellness & Engagement Support Worker with the MTU is off to pursue new opportunities. Best of luck Tanner!

George Kokuryo, Occupational Therapist, will be returning to his Occupational Therapist role with Continuing Care, Government of Yukon.

Ashwin Freyne, Math Advocate, will be going on adventures after contributing to the math program over the last 3 months. Enjoy your travels!

We thank you for your contribution to the Indigenous children of the Yukon, and we wish you the best of luck wherever your journeys take you! Mahsi.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 7 & 11: Interim Governance Committee — First Nation School Board meeting.

April 12: Chiefs Committee on Education (CCOE) monthly meeting with Minister of Education.

May 4 & 5: First Nation Education Commission (FNEC) meeting.

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