Volume 1, Issue 1

Welcome to the monthly e-newsletter of the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate. This first issue covers the flurry of activity since launching last summer and keeps you up-to date on what’s coming up.

First Nation Learning Shines at YFNED Culture Camps

Over two days in October, over 150 students from Whitehorse public schools attended Helen’s Fish Camp on Lake Laberge. Knowledge Keepers taught the students activities such as drumming, sport games, medicine making and storytelling. They also prepared salmon for the smokehouse.

The camp was coordinated by YFNED’s First Nation Education Advocates — not only to provide First Nation students with much-needed land-based learning — but also to model how to run a culture camp to classroom teachers.

In November, the Education Advocates ran a successful two-day “Mini-Culture Camp” at Elijah Smith Elementary where students and school staff were offered another opportunity to meet the advocates and get a taste for Indigenous education. The dry meat and salmon looked pretty delicious!

2nd Annual First Nation
Education Conference

YFNED is excited to be hosting our 2nd annual First Nation Education Conference this January 21 and 22 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. The theme is "“Building our Voices through Land, Language & Culture. We’re happy to announce the following keynote speakers:

• Jody-Wilson Raybould, MP

• Waneek Horn-Miller, activist, Olympian

There will also be break-out sessions with Myron Dueck, South Slave Education Council, Yukon First Nation Language Centre and more.

The conference will host 75 in-person participants between rooms at the KDCC — plus up to 200 more via Zoom. All out-of-territory speakers will present on Zoom.

An Eventbrite Registration link will be distributed soon!

YFNED Launches
Mobile Therapeutic Unit

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.

Our growing team will include

• A culturally-based mental wellness team

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Language Pathology

• Education Psychology

• Audiology

• Optometry

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

Education Advocates in the Schools

YFNED’s 12 First Nation Education Advocates started working in Yukon public schools this fall, launching with the “Mini Culture Camp” at Elijah Smith Elementary School in early November.

Since then the Education Advocates have begun working with students, families, school staff and other supports, through an Indigenous, wrap-around, holistic approach to education. Funded through Jordan’s Principle, the Education Advocates:

• Work to increase a sense of belonging, self-respect and pride in heritage for all Indigenous students;

• Provide support, guidance and advocacy to deliver culturally inclusive programming within schools;

• Assist schools to fully develop and deliver education programs that reflect Yukon First Nation culture and language;

• Work with the school to improve the academic achievement of Indigenous Students;

• Connect Indigenous students to services and supports and ensure recommended services and supports are provided;

• Refer Indigenous students to the YFNED Mobile Therapeutic Unit, as well as other specialists and school staff.

Rocking Your Mocs at YFNED

International Rock Your Mocs week, from November 15-21, inspired YFNED staff to wear their most treasured beaded footwear to work. It was a great way to share stories about families and traditions.

Executive Director Melanie Bennett brought in three generations of beaded mocs and mukluks. The above photo features the beadwork of her mother Chief Hilda Titus.

Winter Break Hampers

Over three weeks leading up to Winter Break, YFNED staff and volunteers distributed over 750 hampers to Whitehorse-based Indigenous families, reaching over 1120 youth aged 0-18.

The Facebook post reached 14,472 people and received comments like: “So awesome that you guys and gals keep doing this for our families with children! Much appreciated!”

Rural and Urban Nutrition Program

The Hampers are part of YFNED’s Rural and Urban Nutrition Program funded by Jordan’s Principle to provide equitable and healthy food to all Indigenous children living in the Yukon. The rural program has provided food hampers, as well as school-and-daycare based meal programs, and salmon and bison distribution to the communities.

In early 2021, the Urban Nutrition Program will be providing school-based breakfast and lunch service to all Indigenous students in Whitehorse.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec 20 - Jan 1 YFNED Holiday Office Closure

(In an emergency, call 332-6182)

Jan 21-22 2nd Annual First Nation Education Conference

Feb 24-25 First Nation Education Commission

Merry Christmas from all the Staff at YFNED!