YFNED News - Feb/March

February - March 2023

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

What a Conference!

Over 400 people attended our 4th Annual First Nation Education Conference, with roughly 200 in person and 200 virtually — including presenters and participants from the Yukon and across Canada. We had riveting keynote presentations from Notorious Cree (pictured above) and Dr. Alex Wilson, dozens of engaging and thought-provoking breakout sessions and land-based cultural activities, as well as a Gala evening event featuring a delicious meal, a youth fashion show, a Notorious Cree dance show and comedy from Conway Kootenay. All in all, we’re proud to say this jam-packed 2-day event went off without a hitch.

Thank-you to everyone who helped make it a success.

If you were in attendance, be sure to fill out our conference feedback survey. Your name will be entered in a draw to win a fabulous gift basket!

More Conference Pics!!!

At the Conference Gala Youth Fashion Show, Olivia Dobbs is one of many youth who modeled their homemade regalia (many of whom had grad celebrations cancelled by the pandemic).

Comedian Conway Kootenay had the audience in stitches at his Conference Gala performance.

We were proud to be able to offer a day-long land-based breakout session which was enjoyed by dozens of conference participants over the two-days.

Land-based breakout session participants from Day 1 line up by the fire for a group shot under the sun.

Trapping at the Indigenous Academy

Over the last week of March, students in the Indigenous Academy (Dashaw Ke) at F.H. Collins Secondary School took part in a trapping course. Supported by the First Nation Education Advocates from YFNED, the course also brought in Ryan Sealy, Trapper Education instructor from Yukon’s Department of Environment as well as KDFN Elder Russell Burns.

The students learned about the types of traps and snares used, humane trapping techniques, skinning and fur handling, parasites and First Nations uses of the furs and animals harvested from Russell Burns. They also assisted with skinning a wolverine, lynx and beaver, with each participant getting the opportunity to skin and board a squirrel. They also learned self-rescue (from a trap), fur grading, snare making, wildlife management, safety/survival skills, ethics, trap setting field trip, and the business of trapping.

All in all, a fantastic week at the Indigenous Academy.

Winter Bison Harvest Camp

The first annual Yukon/BC/Manitoba Indigenous Youth Leadership Exchange took place over March Break, organized by YFNED’s First Nation Education Advocate program. The name of the camp was “Land, Language & Winter Bison Harvest Camp” integrating First Nations language and culture for an intergenerational land-based experience.

The Harvest camp was led by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Elder/Instructor Harry Smith, Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation assistant instructor Lance Brown, and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Language Instructor Khasha. Twelve Yukon First Nations youth participated, alongside youth and adults from West Bank First Nation (BC) and the Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre.

Early Years Assessment Conference

March 28 & 29 saw Early Learning professionals from across the Yukon coming together to share and learn about assessments and how we can work together to build a Yukon First Nations-based assessment methodology that can be utilized by all service providers. It was a fabulous event with representatives from across Yukon organizations in attendance.

The main feature of the gathering was hearing from VGFN Elder Annie Bernard and looking at the research of Dr. Melissa Tremblay from the University of Alberta, based on creating an Indigenous Assessment.

Early Years — April activities

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 or the new Get Ready for Preschool program, drop in at 207 Black Street, email EarlyYears@yfned.ca, call 867-667-6962 ext. 123 or check out www.yfned.ca/EarlyYears.

MTU in Watson Lake

Over the last few months, members of both the Allied Health and Mental Wellness teams of YFNED’s Mobile Therapeutic Unit (MTU) have travelled to Watson Lake learners alongside our team of “Community Juniors.”

We co-hosted a Caregiver Hour with Boreal Clinic where families had the opportunity to play “Snare the Bear” and learn about communication supports.

The MTU’s Community Juniors in Watson Lake have spent the last few months supporting the Community Family Literacy morning, learning math games with the primary students and incorporating movement into literacy activities.

We played “Bump” during the Primary Math Afternoon, created paper mâché masks, and led speech therapy sessions.

Welcome New Staff!

Many new team members have joined YFNED in the last two months. Let’s warmly welcome:

Cristian Sather, Community Therapy Assistant Ross River, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Shannon Eykelenboom, Community Therapy Assistant Faro, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Maeghan Davis, Behaviour Consultant, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Pat Berrel, Behaviour Consultant, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Maeva Esquembre, Psychomotor Therapist, Mobile Therapeutic Unit

Natalie Sands, Math Specialist, Numeracy Project

Caley Boulter, Recruitment Specialist, Human Resources

Aurora Knutson, First Nation Education Advocate

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 6 & 10: YFNED Offices closed for all-staff

April 29: YFNED Family Feast @KDCC

May 27: YFNED Family Feast @KDCC

May 9-11: First Nations Education Commission (Dawson City)

June 2: First Nations Grad Ceremony @ KDCC

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