Almost time to pick up your winter hampers

Winter hampers are available for all families with Indigenous children (aged 0-18). You can pick up at Shipyards Park on December 4, 5, 11 and 12. Register here.

We have experienced shipping delays, so please note:

• If you signed up for Friday, December 2nd, your pick up date is now Monday, December 5th.

• If you signed up for Friday, December 9th, your pick up date is now Monday, December 12th.

• Pick-up times have not changed.

More information, including contact details at www.yfned.ca/winterhampers.

And don’t forget the family feast this weekend! It’s our biggest feast of the year, and we’re expecting a visit from a certain Jolly Old Elf! The YFNED team will also be there with a variety of games and crafts.

RSVP on Facebook.

A historic day for the First Nation School Board

Come one, come all!

It’s the open house that has something for everyone!

Meet the people behind YFNED’s wrap-around services. Tour the office and pick up resources. Enjoy treats and snacks. Play games and have the chance to win a big door prize!

For more information, call 867-667-6962 or email reception@yfned.ca. RSVP on Facebook.

Visitors from Ottawa

We were pleased to welcome Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Assistant Deputy Minister David Peckham and Director General Christine Harmston to the Yukon, and specifically to the world of YFNED, FNSB and the CCOE. They were able to see not just what we do, but how we do it - and why it works!

Their guidance, support and participation in very wintery conditions was a testament to the relationship we have built.

We hope they come back again soon!

Education Advocates sharing knowledge in Kelowna

A full delegation from YFNED was able to escape Yukon winter for a few days in Kelowna - as we continued to learn from Indigenous Student Advocates in Central Okanagan Public Schools - but can now also share our successes with them as well. Our group included Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Junior Advocates and Education Advocates.

Also much thanks to Montana and Delaney Prysnuk (Copper Caribou) for sharing their space and knowledge with us for Hide Camp. We were able to take students from several schools out with Education Advocates and Knowledge Keepers.

One year of Early Years!

Our one-year anniversary happened at the end of October! We had hand-games, brunch, a fish pond and other activities for families. After one year of the program, we also heard feedback from families about the program… expect to see some new things happening in the new year!

We also had our first drum-making workshop with families at the beginning of November. It was an amazing way for families to reconnect with the culture and introduce drumming to their babies and children. This was organized in partnership with Jared Kane.

Early Years — December activities

MTU is on the road again

The Mobile Therapeutic Unit (MTU) has been doing a lot of travel to the communities with a variety of Wellness Program activities supporting families and students.

We share our photos from around the territory over on Instagram.

Save the date!

We are planning quite the event for our 4th annual First Nation Education Conference. It’s happening March 22-23rd at the KDCC.

We’re looking for presenters. Bring your expertise, knowledge and innovation to our stage.

We’re also looking for Indigenous businesses who have information to share or something to sell. Can be education-related or not. Artisans of traditional skills and crafts are definitely encouraged.

For more information or to book your table, contact Adrianna.Wondga@yfned.ca or call 867-667-6962.

Welcome New Staff!

Welcome to our new YFNED team members!

Victor “Vic” Rideout joins us as the Expediter for Nutrition team. He supports the pick up and delivery of snacks, food and other items to schools and our other food preparation sites. Welcome Vic!

Lauren Walker and Stephen Horton are our new Math Advocates supporting math literacy in some urban and a couple of rural schools.

Priscilla Shorty, Early Year Visitor in Ross River started on November 7. Priscilla is Kaska Dene and is supporting families in Ross Rivers with our Early Years programming.

Jeneen Njootli has joined us in Old Crow as a First Nation Wellness & Engagement Worker. Jeneen is a member of Vuntut Gwichin First Nation. We are happy to have Jeneen supporting us at the school and after school hours with programming for Gwich’in students. They work in partnership with our Wellness team on the MTU.

Jay Aubichon, Teslin Tlingit Council member, is a student helping us out with coordinating activities for our rural students residing in Whitehorse and attending school. They are working with Jona Barr and the Wellness team.

Kelly Love will be joining YFNED on December 5. Kelly is an educational psychologist who will engage with Indigenous students and their families who are being supported by CYFN or YFNED. She will work for both YFNED & CYFN.

Coralee Buchanan will transition from Intake Coordinator to the new Early Year Manager as of end of November, in a temporary assignment. She is currently transitioning with Audrey-Ann who will be going on maternity leave.

Joanna Cole has joined our urban nutrition team as a cook; she started November 24 and is being oriented to the schools and other food prep locations.

And congratulations are in order!

Congratulations to Peyton Kirkpatrick on the birth of her baby in October; Peyton is off for the year.

And congratulations to Elizabeth Javar, a member of our urban nutrition team who also had a baby in November.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 3: Family Feast

December 4, 5, 11, 12: Winter hamper pickup in Whitehorse

December 13: Open House at YFNED

March 22-23: 4th Annual First Nation Education Conference