http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ en jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T00:59:58+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yc_awards_2010_niiinlii_njik_renewable_resource_management_scholarship/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yc_awards_2010_niiinlii_njik_renewable_resource_management_scholarship/#When:00:59:58Z Alison Pakula is pleased to learn that she is the 2010 Ni’iinlii Njik Renewable Resource Management Scholarship recipient. Pakula is a full-time student from Telegraph Creek, BC.  She is in her second year of the Renewable Resources Program at the School  of Science, Trades, and Technology. Her interests are the eco-systems and the importance of wolves to other species.   The Ni’iinlii Njik Renewable Resources Management Scholarhip is made available by the Natural Resource Department of the Vuntut Gwitchin Government. Ni’iinlii Njik is the Gwitchin name for the Fishing  Branch River and the name of the national park.   The annual $1000 scholarship was created in 2007 by the Vuntut Gwitchin Government Natural Resources Department in cooperation with Yukon College. “Yukon College is pleased to work in partnership with First Nations governments to ensure students can pursue educational ambitions”, says President Terry Weninger.       Terry Weninger will be awarding Pakula her scholarship on Friday, March 12 at 9:00 am in the Main Lobby Pit area.   2010-03-11T00:59:58+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/poverty_costs_focus_of_national_social_work_week/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/poverty_costs_focus_of_national_social_work_week/#When:00:56:50Z March 22-26 is National Social Work Week and the 2010 theme is Social Workers Speaking Up: Poverty Costs. During this week, social workers are calling upon citizens to recognize the impacts of poverty and to support its eradication. The Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada (ASWNC), in partnership with Bachelor of Social Work students of Yukon College, will be hosting a number of events open to the public, highlighting the issue of poverty.   Events will begin on Monday, March 22 with the opening of a guerilla photography exhibit by Mark Kelly and friends at the Yukon College Pit. The photos depicting poverty and homelessness within our community will be on display throughout the week.   On Tuesday, March 23 Ross Findlater and George Green from the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition will be speaking about issue of poverty in the Yukon in the Yukon College Pit from noon to 1pm. Local musician Joe Bishop will also be performing and light snacks will be provided.   ASWNC in partnership with the Canadian Association of Social Workers, will host  a National Educational Webcast,“Social Workers Speaking Up: Poverty Costs,” on Thursday, March 25, 2010 – 9am to 10am in the Board Room. The webcast presentation will include a 30 minute presentation by Brian Adams (MSW, RSW), Paul O’Hara (MSW, RSW), and Eveline Milliken (MSW, RSW, PHD) followed by 30 minutes of questions and answers.    “It negatively impacts well-being. It compromises human rights. It goes against Canada’s image as a fair and equal country. This is what social workers often see and say when discussing poverty,” says Canadian Association of Social Worker’s President Darlene MacDonald. “But, also we look at it from a different perspective – the costs of poverty to individuals, to our country, and to society as a whole.”   Poverty has a significant cost for governments and society. Because of the relationship between poverty and poor health, lower productivity, and lower educational attainment, the immediate and long-term costs are many. For example, the elimination of child poverty would produce extra tax revenues nationally of between $3.1 billion and $3.8 billion. Currently, federal and provincial governments across Canada lose between $8.6 billion and $13 billion in income tax revenue to poverty every year. Canadians could save $7.6 billion per year in health-care expenditures by elevating the health status of those in the bottom 20% on the income ladder to that of the next higher group.   Social workers daily see the costs of poverty – emotional, physical, social, and financial. These numbers make it hard for others to ignore. If we want to ensure the health and well-being of all people living in Canada, poverty reduction is the best starting point.     -30-   2010-03-11T00:56:50+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_creates_new_position_in_student_financial_aid/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_creates_new_position_in_student_financial_aid/#When:23:33:40Z Students at Yukon College now have more assistance in accessing financial aid. A new staff position, Financial Aid Advisor, was created to communicate the opportunities and resources that are available to the student body. Every year thousands of dollars go unclaimed for lack of student applications to available scholarships. Bente Sorensen, in her new position as Financial Aid Advisor hopes that she will be able to turn this trend around.  Sorensen focuses on the development of donations, the accessibility to student applications, and the administration in distributing the funds. Sorensen is the central figure in the collaborative effort with the governments, the First Nations, the foundations, and the students. "Our strategic direction is to build a strong community of learners," says Colleen Wirth, Director of Student Services, "This is one more step in providing accessibility for post-secondary education for Yukoners which is part of our outreach role for International Adult Education Week, March 1-7, 2010."  Recipients of the 2009 ACUNS (the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies) awards presented their experiences to students at an information session held in January. The award recipients of the 2009 awards are found at http://www.acuns.ca/cnstcurrentrec.htm  The students’ research is based on Northern communities and its development.  A current running available amount of funds is on the Yukon College website at http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/student_info/bursaries_and_scholarships At the moment there is $131,150.00 available. 2010-03-04T23:33:40+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/three_outstanding_images_chosen_in_yc_photo_contest/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/three_outstanding_images_chosen_in_yc_photo_contest/#When:19:37:27Z Three talented Yukon photographers are receiving prizes for their submissions to the Cold Snaps Winter Photo Contest.   The amateur photography contest was held December 12, 2009 to February 12, 2010 through the Yukon College Facebook page. Photographers were asked to submit an outstanding image of winter in the Yukon. The contest helped boost the profile of the Yukon College Facebook site and celebrated the beauty of the Yukon winter.   A panel of four judges were faced with the difficult task of choosing just three, but in the end the most creative, well-composed and eye-catching images were selected. All 41 submissions, including the three winners and two honorable mentions have been placed on the College Facebook site.   "The increase in traffic on the Yukon College Facebook page has made the site an even more valuable tool for information and networking," says Jacqueline Bedard, Director of College Relations. "We were pleased with the level of engagement and the quality of the photos submitted for this contest."   Congratulations to the following:   1st Place(Canon PowerShot Digital Camera)   Tamera Sembsmoen (Photo location, Yukon River, Whitehorse)   2nd Place($100 iTunes gift certificate)   Shawn Burgess (Photo location, Schwatka Lake)   3rd Place(8” Kodak Digital Photo Frame)   Jessica Rabideau (Photo location, Kathleen Lake)     Honorable Mention – Terry Scheel (Photo location, Venus Mine)            Honorable Mention – Virginia Sarrazin (Photo location, Kookatsoon Lake)                To view all of the submissions and winning photographs visit: www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/facebook. Special thanks to Cathie Archbould at Archbould Photography for her assistance with judging. 2010-02-22T19:37:27+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_partners_with_rendezvous_festival_queens_lunch/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_partners_with_rendezvous_festival_queens_lunch/#When:20:32:03Z The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival lunch will take place at Yukon College for the first time in the organization’s 46-year history. Yukon College, in its new partnership with the Rendezvous festival will be serving up the lunch on Thursday, February 25. The Culinary Arts Program is providing the meal for the Queen’s luncheon.    The Queen’s Luncheon takes place every year with government dignitaries, the public, and the Queen candidates. In attendance will be Commissioner Geraldine Van Bibber, Honourable M.P. Larry Bagnel, Deputy Premier Elaine Taylor, Mayor Bev Buckway, and Vice-President of Education and Training, Dr. Karen Barnes. The queen contestants host the seniors during the lunch. Yukon College is sponsoring its first ever Miss Yukon  College queen candidate.   “Yukon College is very proud to be a partner in this historic event” declares Colleen Wirth, Director of Student Services, “The Festival is a part of our heritage and we would like to promote community relationships within the learning community”. There will be an expected 150 attendees at the lunch.     “We are pleased at Yukon College’s substantial contribution towards our society’s growth and expansion,” states one of the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Society’s directors and event organizer, Richard Paquette, “This is a precedent setting event which we look forward to continuing in the future”.   The Queen’s luncheon will be held in the Yukon College Gymnasium on Thursday, February 25 at noon. The event is open to the public with tickets on sale at the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Office (667 2148) or at the door. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for youth/seniors.   2010-02-17T20:32:03+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_loses_five_employees...in_weight/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_loses_five_employees...in_weight/#When:18:05:30Z Whitehorse- Since Yukon College staff signed up for the Weight Watchers at Work Program in September, they have lost a total of 741 pounds. That is the equivalent of about five employees. Coffee-break chit chat, these days, is often about counting food points and scheduling gym time.     The staff assembles voluntarily once a week at noon hour for their weigh-in and a 30 minute meeting where victories are celebrated and strategies for healthy weight loss are shared. There are 24 active members in the Weight Watcher program, all of them women. The average group loss is about 30 pounds per week.    “This group program is about feeling good and being healthy, says the organizer, Maureen Stephens, who spear headed the group. “Employees who are healthy feel good about themselves and exude that positive outlook in their work environment”, she adds. Yukon College President Dr. Terry Weninger supports a healthy work environment by permitting the group to extend their weekly lunch hour for the extra minutes to accommodate the weigh-in. Two new treadmills were also just recently installed in the gym for staff and students to use.    A second 20-week Weight Watchers at Work cohort began on February 11th, and it is open to men, women, staff, and students. The cohort is open to anyone outside the College as well. This group will continue to accept members with the cost being pro-rated for the number of weeks remaining.   Interested new members may sign up at the meetings which take place Thursdays at noon in Room A2801. 2010-02-12T18:05:30+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/dream_of_being_a_social_worker/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/dream_of_being_a_social_worker/#When:17:54:08Z   Bachelor of Social Work INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held on:   Monday, February 15th  at 12:00 noon Room T1023   Thursday, February 18th  at 6:00 p.m. Room T1023   Wednesday, February 24th at 12:00 noon Conference Room B    Visit  www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/programs/bsw for program information. Phone Dana Jennejohn @ 668-8746 for information or to register to attend one of these sessions.  Application deadline: March 30, 2010 2010-02-08T17:54:08+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_donates_to_shelter_box_campaign/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_donates_to_shelter_box_campaign/#When:19:53:59Z Yukon College helps raise awareness and money for the Global Rotary Club Shelter Box Project. On Tuesday, February 9, Yukon College will donate all proceeds from the sales at the cafeteria to the Shelter Box Campaign. The students and staff of the Culinary Arts program will be serving a lunch special of either a mushroom chicken fettuccine or a vegetarian selection. As well, the Bookstore will contribute all money from sales on February 9th of their rice-crispy squares and sundry items. A display tent explaining the Shelter Box campaign is set up in front of the Bookstore.     During the lunch hour, Catherine (Kip) Veale from the Rotary Club will give a talk about the campaign and show a DVD movie. Each Shelter Box costs $1000.00 dollars. The College’s efforts will try to purchase as many boxes as possible. Boxes are sent to areas that require emergency relief such as Haiti. Donations will be accepted at the College Bookstore until March 1.   Yukon College Community Campus in Haines Junction has already raised $1600.00 for Haitian relief efforts through their Spaghetti Lunch fundraiser.   Media are invited to attend the event which will take place in the Yukon College cafeteria at the noon hour on Tuesday, February 9.     2010-02-05T19:53:59+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_students_in_class_with_tv_celebrity_chef_massimo/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_students_in_class_with_tv_celebrity_chef_massimo/#When:18:26:43Z Whitehorse – Culinary Arts students at Yukon College will be getting some special tutoring in their craft on Thursday, February 4. The students will have the opportunity to learn from the Food Network Star Chef Massimo Capra who will demonstrate his mastery of Italian cooking techniques. “We are pleased to collaborate with the high school cooking classes, Skills Canada Yukon, and the Epicurious fundraiser event to bring this opportunity to students,” states Clarence Timmons, Chair of Yukon College Board of Governors. “It gives our students great advantage to work for the day with a nationally acclaimed chef and it fits with the mandate of the College to build a valuable learning experience for the students.” The day will commence at 9:00 a.m. with an address from Yukon Government  Education Minister Patrick Rouble, Chair of Yukon College Board Clarence Timmons, and Yukon College President Terry Weninger followed by an introduction by Chef Capra. Yukon College students and Skills Canada Yukon students will then roll up their sleeves and learn the master’s finer techniques of gastronomic cooking in the Culinary Arts kitchen at Yukon College for the day.  “It’s exciting to see our partners in education cooking up this unique opportunity to promote the culinary arts to our high school and college students,” Rouble said. “Promotion of the trades is a priority for our government and I am sure this event will be an inspiration for the chefs attending from the Skills Club in Dawson City as well as the Whitehorse high schools.” “Skills Canada Yukon is proud to support the Yukon Hospital Foundation as a sponsor in its 2nd annual Epicurious event. This exciting event will give members of our Dawson City and Whitehorse culinary skills clubs an amazing opportunity to work alongside a famous Chef and to engage with an additional 17 local Yukon Chefs”, says Dan Curtis of Skills Canada Yukon. Media are invited to attend the event from 9:00-10:00 in the Glass Class (Room 1440) and in the Culinary Kitchen from 10:00 – 11:00 as the students and Chef Capra work together. 2010-01-29T18:26:43+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/haines_junction_campus_student_fundraiser_for_haiti/ http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/haines_junction_campus_student_fundraiser_for_haiti/#When:22:56:55Z Whitehorse –  Yukon  College students at the Haines Junction Community Campus are busy preparing for Friday’s Haitian Fundraiser Luncheon. Students from all program areas have joined forces to plan, organize, and prepare the event for an expected 200 people.   Students will be serving a spaghetti dinner with a choice of either moose meat or vegetarian sauce along with Caesar salad, garlic toast, and dessert. Haines Junction businesses, agencies, and residents have generously donated the provisions for the event. The money raised will go to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.   The luncheon will take place at the Old Community Hall (back of arena) on Friday, January 29 between 11:30 a.m.  and  2:00 p.m. The price is $8.00 or more per plate. 2010-01-28T22:56:55+00:00