May 2021

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

Ceremony: Release of Special Education Review

On June 1, First Nations and Yukon government officials will gather at Haa Shagóon Hídi (Carcross Learning Centre) to release the much-anticipated Inclusive and Special Education Review through a Ceremony and Media Event. It is expected that the release of this long-awaited document will stimulate much needed systemic changes in how special education is delivered in the Yukon. Participating in the Ceremony includes Elder Mark Wedge, Premier Sandy Silver, Minister of Education Jeanie McLean, CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston, Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, YFNED Executive Director Melanie Bennett and many others.

Livestream is available: Tuesday, June 1, from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 3 p.m. at the following link: www.facebook.com/yukongov/videos

Therapeutic Team On the Go

YFNED’s Mobile Therapeutic Unit (MTU) has been on the road almost non-stop over the month of May, making multi-day visits to Mayo, Faro, Dawson City, Watson Lake, Carmacks, Ross River, Old Crow and Teslin to work with families and children needing wellness engagement and therapeutic supports.

The MTU’s Occupational Therapists and Vision Specialist are working directly with children and their families, caregivers and teachers. They often also join forces with our Wellness and Engagement Workers in holding creativity camps in the communities. From mask-making to silk-screening to mural painting and photography, this super team is making important connections with so many youth from around the territory.

The MTU is thrilled to welcome our new Indigenous Counsellor Juniper Redvers who started at the end of May as well as three Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) who will be joining the team this summer.

Early Years Program Launch

YFNED is launching the Early Years visitor program in partnership with the Martin Family Initiative, Vuntut Gwitchin, Ross River Dena Council, Nacho Nyak Dun, and Selkirk First Nation.

Early Years is a home-based program that supports and honours parents as their children’s first teachers and helps as they develop a positive future for themselves and their babies. Visitors walk alongside new parents from pregnancy until their child enters school, with scheduled weekly one-on-one visits with moms, dads and caregivers during which they discuss a range of topics, such as healthy pregnancies, positive child development and overall family well-being. Families are given opportunities to gather together with their babies and young children every week and participate in fun and engaging activities.

YFNED is currently recruiting a Program Manager, a Rural Coordinator and 6 urban-based Early Years Visitors. There will be 4 rural-based Early Year Visitors. Please see our job postings page for more details: www.yfned.ca/jobs

Continuous Culture Programs at Yukon Schools

Our team of First Nation Education Advocates continue their amazing efforts to bring culture to Yukon classrooms through culture camps and one-on-one work with students. Here are some highlights:

Week-long “hide camp” at Porter Creek Secondary
Helping Nutrition team deliver feasts at multiple schools
Bannock and fish making workshops
Drumming and dancing programs
Giant mural painting in Mayo
Medicine-making workshops
Storytelling with Elders
Hand games instruction

Land-based Summer Camps

above: Elder Russell Burns

YFNED is excited to be offering summer-long land-based, language and culture day camps for Indigenous youth. Two camps are currently being organized:

Learning from the Land: Around 20 Indigenous youth will be immersing themselves in culture, language and land-based learning at Russell Burns’ trapline on the Annie Lake Road. A team of YFNED Education Advocates, Elders and other supports will ensure this is an enriching and nurturing experience for participants. Offered 3 days-a-week, this summer-long intensive will be a great opportunity for youth.

Horse Camp: Due to the huge success of our Spring Break Horse Camp and the unwavering requests from these former participants to “be with their horses,” we’re offering a summer-long, 2-days-a-week, land-and-culture-based Horse Camp for a small group of youth. Held at the Heart Bar Horse Ranch in the Ibex Valley, the youth will be supported by YFNED’s Education Advocates, Elders and Nutrition teams.

Indigenous Leadership Youth Program: YFNED Education Advocates are putting together a summer-long development program for Indigenous teens. The youth will engage in a variety of opportunities to build youth empowerment and leadership skills.

More Salmon Coming to Whitehorse Indigenous Families

YFNED has partnered with Second Harvest and Agriculture Canada Surplus Food Rescue Program to once again provide urban-based Indigenous families with roughly 30,000 lbs of B.C. ocean-caught salmon. It will be available as whole frozen chum, frozen chum steaks, or canned salmon. Distribution will take place as a drive-thru at the Takhini Arena between June 15-17 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

SURVEY: Voices needed for Post-Secondary Task Force

The Post-Secondary Education Task Force is gathering information about the current post-secondary system in the North and how it can be improved. They are looking for people to add their voice. Anyone who has something to say about this subject is urged to tell their stories and share their opinions. You can do this by:

Taking a survey
Signing up for an engagement session, and/or
Uploading written documents, sound files or video

The Task Force is an arms-length group appointed by the Minister of Northern Affairs and includes YFNED Executive Director Melanie Bennett and Kluane First Nation Educator Tosh Southwick.

Go to northernpse.ca and it will direct you.

Welcome New Staff

Over the month of May we welcomed three talented individuals to the YFNED team. They have literally hit the ground running!

Go to our Meet the Team page to learn more about our staff.

Jeremy Parkin - Wellness & Engagement Worker, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Jeremy is a member of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Jeremy is a musician and music producer —and all-round creative guy— who works with youth across the Yukon to provide a venue for expression and connection.

Juniper Redvers - Indigenous Counsellor, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Juniper is of mixed Dene descent from Akaitcho Territory, NWT, living in the Yukon for the past 5 years. Previous roles have included Youth Outreach Counsellor for the Jackson Lake Wellness Team, Child Youth and Family Counsellor with YG’s Community Hubs, and Developmental Therapist with the Child Development Centre.

Darcey Carlick - First Nation Education Advocate

Darcey is a member of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Early in his journey, he worked with children and youth in his community before joining Wildland Fire Management. During the off season, Darcey pursued his Oil Burner Mechanic ticket, which he successfully completed last spring. Darcey is keen to work with youth again, encouraging them to pursue their goals and ambitions.

Meet the Team

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 1: Inclusive and Special Education Review Ceremony (see above)

June 3: Media Announcement: First Nation School Board Framework Agreement Finalized

June 11: Yukon First Nations Graduation Ceremony

June 15 - 17: Salmon distribution for Whitehorse-based Indigenous families. At the Takhini Arena parking lot drive-thru from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

June 17: AGM of the Chiefs Committee on Education (CCOE)

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