April 2021

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

Through an Indigenous lens, we offer: First Nation Education Advocates with classroom support and culture camps, a Mobile Therapeutic Unit of allied health professionals, a Nutrition team getting good food in all Yukon schools, education analysts and curriculum experts, plus a team leading Framework Agreement negotiations with Canada and Yukon.

We’re about making systemic changes to improve outcomes for Yukon First Nations students.

Advocates Flood Schools with Culture and Support

Not a day goes by where YFNED First Nation Education Advocates aren’t busy hosting cultural workshops or supporting Indigenous and their families. Here’s a sampling of some April’s activities:

Salmon Camp at Selkirk Elementary: Over 320 kids (17 classes) got hands on salmon-cutting-and-drying experience with our Knowledge Keeper Betsy Jackson and Advocates Shayla Battaja-Green, Lorraine Wolfe, Gus Morberg, Brenda Stehelin.

Traditional Teachings at Gadzoosdaa: Every Monday evening, youth living at the residence enjoy carving, sewing, beading and more. Artist Vernon Asp and Advocates Shayla Battaja-Green and Lorraine Wolfe will hold these sessions until the end of the school year.

Scavenger Hunt with MAD Program: All the Music-Arts-Drama kids at Wood Street went on a wild First-Nations-themed scavenger hunt care of Desirae and Heidi plus Knowledge Keepers Lorraine Stick and Roger Ellis.

Two-day Fish Camp at FH Collins: Hundreds of high school students got a taste of traditional salmon camp activities at a hands-on workshop run by Advocates Gus Morberg and Brenda Stehelin with Elder Philip Smith.

Moccasin Trailblazers Map a Powerful Path

This month, the Moccasin Trailblazers—Indigenous Youth Voices on Yukon Education—met for two-days at the Carcross Learning Center. In total, 12 youth from across the Yukon participated in teambuilding, sharing stories, and strategic planning with Social Innovation Consulting.

They outlined three main priorities for the upcoming year:

1. Engage 250 Yukon youth over the next 12 months. The plan: Conduct 1-hour focus groups of 20 youth from each 14 Yukon communities (Total = 280 youth).

2. Produce a document and video of youth voices on education using material from focus groups/surveys and showcasing the Trailblazers growth as leaders. Also: short videos for social media.

3. Host a Youth Conference on First Nations Education with Yukon government decision-makers present. With the support of YFNED, the conference will reach a local and international audience with workshops, presentations and a launch of the video.

They also launched their new website. Check out: yfned.ca/moccasin-trailblazers

New Advocates, New School Assignments

Mobile Therapeutic Unit Making Waves in the Communities

Out of all the community visits MTU made this April, one stands out the most: A five-person YFNED crew travelled to Mayo for a week of Vision Therapy, Occupational Therapy, support from a First Nation Education Advocate plus Silkscreening workshops and BMX fun with the JV Clark secondary kids with our Wellness Team. Meetings with the school and the First Nation resulted in a ton of exciting developments including a partnership with Carleton University that will see our Wellness Team collaborate with the school for the creation of a giant mural.

Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation was happy to see their own Lauren Wallingham back in the community as a YFNED First Nation Education Advocate.

Meeting of the Minds on First Nations Post-Secondary

Nutrition Hires Ten New Cooks

As the Nutrition team gets ready to start offering a hot meal service and other traditional food services at all Whitehorse schools, they have hired a talented crew of cooks.

Please welcome:

• Santana Taylor - Tr'ondëk Hwëchin

• Georgette Aisaican – Cowesses First Nation of the Southern Plains Cree in Saskatchewan

• Vanessa Younkers – immediate family of Kwanlin Dün First Nation

• Darlene Jim – Champagne Aishihik First Nation

• Jacob Carr – Tr'ondëk Hwëchin

• Robliee Koe - First Nation from Ft. MacPherson

• Ofelia Javar

• Lyn Fabio

Online Interactive Kohlux Map for Grade 4 Curriculum

The Education Analysts at YFNED are working with a curriculum developer and a Knowledge Keeper to create interactive, online learning resources related to the Kohlux Map. The project is aimed at teaching Grade 4 students across the territory about this important First Nation learning tool and artefact, bringing to life an important piece of Yukon First Nations history. It should be ready for use in the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

Welcome New Staff

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 12-13 First Nation Education Commission (FNEC)

June 11 Yukon First Nations Graduation