YFNED Newsletter - August 2023

August 2023

Back to school we go!

As we all return to the classroom, it’s important to think of the summer not as time away from learning - but rather as time learning things in different ways, in different places.

To the students, the educators, the caregivers and the helpers, may we all learn and grow in new ways this school year!

Thank you Junior Advocates!

Thanks to all our Junior Advocates who helped with summer programming this year. We hope you are returning to school, work and the world with some new skills and experiences.

We are looking forward to evaluating the program in order to provide an even better experience this fall. Stay tuned!

Teslin Drift Trip

“We were very fortunate to team up with Teslin Tlingit Knowledge Holders Bert Goodvin and Dick Dewhurst for an awesome end of summer holiday adventure.

The ultimate goal was to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally before school started — which we achieved! We were also blessed with a nice little bull moose on the first night which made the trip that much better. Gunałchîsh'“

Gus Morberg, Education Advocate

Can’t stop, won’t stop… learning

On one of the hottest days of the year, YFNED staff got out on the land at Amä Kù to connect with each other and with the teachings of our Elders.

We learned about all the things the land provides, including nourishment, tools, and the ability to persevere — under the sun!

We were joined by five Department of Education staff who were enthusiastic participants. Improving the state of education takes all of us, so we are pleased to build and maintain those relationships.

Thank you to Elders and Knowledge Holders Annie Bernard, Russell Burns, Howard McIntosh, Frank Jim, Lorraine Stick for your guidance, leadership and wisdom.

Visioning trades

On August 29th, we met with Elders and Knowledge Holders for a visioning session about the trades. It was a chance to come together and discuss pathways forward for young people to get interested in and then into trades education.

Thanks to all who participated, including Mark Wedge (CTFN), Les Johns (CTFN), Simon Mervyn (FNNND) and Darrin Isaac (SFN).

Pro-food-ssional development

Before heading back to schools, our cooks took some time on the land, in the classroom, and in the kitchen to brush up on their skills.

They will be using those skills at the Family Feast next weekend at the KDCC!

August at Early Years

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 about the monthly activities, email EarlyYears@yfned.ca, call 867-667-6962 ext. 123 or check out www.yfned.ca/EarlyYears.

And remember, we have moved to 420 Range Road!

Welcome new staff!

FINANCE

Marsha Flood has joined us for a year as a Finance Clerk. Marsha had retired from CYFN last year but isn’t quite ready to stop working yet!

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jake Carr (Tr'ondek Hwech'in) has moved to Systems and Operations as an IT Helpdesk Systems Technician.

NUTRITION

We have hired three new cooks in our Whitehorse-based schools this year.

Kimberly Trinidad joined us on August 7.

Janine Marion (Selkirk First Nation) joined us on August 14.

Jason Jim (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) joins us as a Cook on September 6.

Zayne Bradley (Tr'ondek Hwech'in) joins us as a Cook Helper on September 6.

Congratulations to our cooks Mei Ramos, Nino Rey Visperas, Paul Nagy, Lynn Fabio and Vanessa Younker who will be taking new positions as team leads to support our urban school kitchens.

Our Ross River School Nutrition team has Shirley Ladue (Kaska) supporting our Ross River students as a cook helper, with Yvonne Ollie (Kaska). Yvonne has returned as the Cook for a second year.

We have hired two new Rural Nutrition Coordinators. Jonah Platko will move from his position as a Cook to Rural Nutrition Coordinator, and Aili Fraser will be joining us as a Rural Nutrition Coordinator from Dawson City. This new team will start September 11.

MOBILE THERAPEUTIC UNIT

Jeanine Peters (Kaska) joins us in Ross River as a Community Therapy Assistant starting on September 5.

Bradley Joe-Malegana (CAFN, Yäwatà and Swalismexw) joins the Wellness Team as a First Nation Wellness & Engagement Worker on September 5.

Torin Haslam (Cree) has been promoted to First Nation Wellness & Engagement Worker.

EARLY YEARS

Lourdes Cuinas has joined us as an Early Year Visitor.

EDUCATION ANALYSTS

Olivier Roy-Jauvin is joining YFNED as a Trades Navigator on September 5.

And more to come! We’re hiring for several positions right now. Check out yfned.ca/jobs for all the details and to apply.

Upcoming events

September 9: Back-to-School Family Feast @ KDCC

September 15: YFNED All-Staff Meeting (offices closed)

September 18: Chiefs Committee on Education meets

September 20-21: First Nations Education Commission meets

September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (offices closed)

October 19: Yukon Regional Education Agreement event (all Yukon First Nations)

October 21: Fall Family Feast @ KDCC

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