http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ en mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Copyright 2013 2013-05-14T21:51:19+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/bob_watts_to_bring_message_of_hope_to_whitehorse_watson_lake http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/bob_watts_to_bring_message_of_hope_to_whitehorse_watson_lake#When:21:51:19Z WHITEHORSE – Bob Watts is a hopeful man. “I have great faith in humankind. I believe that in our core we are noble beings and can act in a noble way.” Watts is bringing his hopeful message to Whitehorse and Watson Lake next week in a presentation entitled 2013: Time to Right the Relationship – True Reconciliation in Canada. Engaging Canadians in their history and in the issues that have arisen from it is a major theme of Watts’ life, and his presentation. “Far too many people in this country have witnessed in silence, and we need people to engage in these issues, of how we treat one another, how we address the legacy of residential schools, and speak out,” said Watts, a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Fellow at the Harvard Law School. “Because reconciliation does not just happen at a high level between Chiefs and Premiers and Prime Ministers. Regular people need to engage, act and react. Reconciliation must happen on the streets, in the workplace, and in coffee shops, if it is going to matter and if is to have a meaningful impact on each of us.” For Watts, engaging in this work of addressing the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada, began over 20 years ago as he watched the Oka crisis unfold. Since then, he has served as the Chief of Staff and CEO to the Assembly of First Nations’ National Chief, Phil Fontaine.  He was also a member of the team which negotiated the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and instrumental in leading the process to establish Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Today, the 55-year-old focuses on teaching at Queens University and public speaking. He also devotes time to assisting corporations develop meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal communities. “This is part of what gives me hope. There are a significant number of companies in Canada who understand that they must include Aboriginal people as partners in order to move ahead. We have the fastest growing population in Canada, the youngest population in Canada, and there are an increasing number of well-educated Aboriginal people across the country. We are key players in the future of Canada.” His work has given him insight into what he sees as one of the greatest obstacles to achieving true reconciliation between the non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal peoples of Canada. “Too few of us understand significant parts of our history and too many of us use stereotypes instead of interaction.”2013 being the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation is a fact Watts will use to anchor his presentation and help illustrate our shared history. He points out that this document did attempt to set a tone for how aboriginals and non-aboriginals should treat one another in this country, to recognize each other as allies with a joint future. “For many Aboriginal people it’s our Magna Carta, and we need to go back to these first principles to guide what we are doing now instead of relying on the courts to sort through this relationship and interpret the constitution.” Reconnecting Canadians with words that were written over two centuries ago is quite a challenge, but Watts feels his message is getting through. He points to the work of the Idle No More movement in bringing greater attention to Aboriginal, environmental and cultural issues as evidence that more Canadians are seeking meaningful ways of engaging. “To see young people stand up for these issues; and those young people who walked from James Bay to Ottawa to make their voices heard… It’s very inspiring. I get to meet a lot of good people, from all over Canada, who inspire me and inspire each other. I hope this type of interaction encourages and motivates people to keep fighting for a better tomorrow, a better Canada.” Bob Watts will present 2013: Time to Right the Relationship – True Reconciliation in Canada, 7.30 p.m., Tuesday May 21 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, and at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday May 22 at the Rec Centre in Watson Lake. Both events will be followed by a Q+A session with Watts. At both events Resolution Health Support Workers will be in attendance to assist anyone who may need support during the talk, courtesy of Council of First Nations and Liard First Nation. These are free events presented as part of the Yukon College Speaker Series. In Whitehorse tickets can be picked up in advance at the Yukon College reception and Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. For more information visit www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/bobwatts -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-14T21:51:19+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ualberta_yukon_college_celebrate_awarding_first_bachelor_of_science_degree http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ualberta_yukon_college_celebrate_awarding_first_bachelor_of_science_degree#When:22:07:35Z WHITEHORSE – Natasha Ayoub became the first person awarded a Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) north of 60 in Canada on Saturday. The B.Sc. Northern ENCS program is a partnership with University of Alberta. It has been very popular, with over 30 students taking courses over the past three years, many of whom are working full time and using the credits to complete a program or qualify for a Masters program elsewhere. “This is an excellent program,” said Ayoub. “The small class sizes enable instructors to tailor courses to student interests and needs. The overall focus on northern content, First Nations content and Yukon legislation like the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA) is vital for professionals working or intending to work in the territory.” “And being able to study for my Bachelor of Science in Yukon has been fantastic. It has allowed me to build a house here, where I plan to work, instead of paying to live most of the year in Edmonton,” she added. She said the program also provided connections with local companies that helped her obtain her current position as Environmental Scientist with Access Consulting. .Ayoub graduated “with distinction” and is enrolled in a Master of Science program at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Dr. John Kennelly, Dean of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Alberta, was on hand at the Yukon college graduation ceremony to present Ayoub with her credentials. “This has been a wonderful partnership and it is just the beginning. Our goal was to help Yukon College build capacity through partnering to deliver this science program and we look forward to continuing our work building this program with the College, as well as expand into joint research and new subject areas such as food security,” said Dr. Kennelly. Next year the program will offer a new major in Northern Systems which will be unique to the Yukon College delivered degree. Program director and instructor, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow, said the program is attracting interest from students across the country, including students at the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton wishing to transfer to Whitehorse.  Dr. Schmiegelow is the first University of Alberta Professor to be appointed outside of Alberta. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-13T22:07:35+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/first_grads_of_first_nations_governance_public_admin_program_celebrated http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/first_grads_of_first_nations_governance_public_admin_program_celebrated#When:22:04:29Z WHITEHORSE - The first four graduates of the First Nations Governance and Public Administration (FNGPA) program were celebrated at a dinner at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Saturday. Wesley Barrett, Delilah Pillai, Kathleen Van Bibber and Lily Sembsmoen graduated from the full certificate program at Yukon College. “This is the first time I have graduated from something in my life and I am very happy that it is from this program because it has been so worthwhile,” said 35-year-old honours student Delilah Pillai. “My 17-years of experience in First Nations were focused on finance and human resources. My skills were based on my experience, now that experience is backed up with formal education in those areas as well as land claims, public policy, strategic management, communications, intergovernmental relations and economic development…all necessary for a well-rounded understanding of Self Governance,” added Pillai. The FNGPA program is a joint initiative between Yukon First Nations, Yukon government and Yukon College and is focused on building capacity and providing senior management staff the tools to enhance the operations of governments in Yukon. It is a made-in-Yukon approach that incorporates local knowledge and experience and recognizes the unique Yukon governance landscape. The program was developed and expanded from an earlier Executive Development program which was spearheaded by Lawrence Joe at Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and focused on CAFN citizens. Over 35 students have taken classes in the program from eight Yukon First Nations, CYFN, and the Governments of Yukon and Canada. The program uses new models of delivery including compressed courses and individual tutoring which allows the students to help define the teaching models that work best for them. “The Government of Yukon is pleased to be involved in this joint education initiative. It is a significant step in advancing modern self-government and building a stronger Yukon,” said Premier Darrell Pasloski. “Graduating students can be proud of their achievements in completing this unique program.” Program content has been well received across Canada, with the courses being transferable to a number of academic institutions, including Camosun College, Simon Fraser University, and the universities of British Columbia, Victoria, Lethbridge, and Northern BC. Discussions are currently taking place with the University of Saskatchewan about building on this program to develop an integrated degree program in Northern Governance and Development. John Burdek, assistant deputy minister of Yukon government’s Governance Liaison/Capacity Development branch, has been involved in the development and delivery of the program since it began four years ago. Burdek, also a former Ta’an Kwäch’än Council chairperson, is excited to celebrate the hard work of the graduating students and the achievements of the accredited program. “This program is an excellent example of Yukon First Nations governments identifying a need and building a program, asking the Yukon government to partner and provide support for the development and implementation, and then asking Yukon College to partner and provide academic support,” said Yukon College president Dr. Karen Barnes. “This program, and the Executive Development program before it, have been catalysts that have opened up conversations about more training that is specific to our First Nations here in Yukon – including Heritage training and First Nations Leadership training,” added Dr. Barnes. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-13T22:04:29+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/top_lawyer_to_speak_yukon_pioneers_to_receive_recognition_at_yukon_college http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/top_lawyer_to_speak_yukon_pioneers_to_receive_recognition_at_yukon_college#When:16:46:56Z WHITEHORSE – Yukon College students will have the opportunity to hear from three people whose work has each had a significant impact on the development of Yukon and Canada’s North at their graduation this Saturday. The keynote address will be given by Thomas Berger, a former justice of the B.C. Supreme Court who acted as counsel for the Manitoba Métis Federation in their successful Supreme Court of Canada case earlier this year. Berger is best known for his work as commissioner of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline inquiry in the 1970s where he recommended delaying the creation of an oil pipeline through the Mackenzie Delta in favour of settling Aboriginal land claims and protecting northern ecosystems. Former Yukon Commissioner James (Jim) Smith will receive an Honorary Diploma in Northern Studies from the College. 93-year-old Smith was Commissioner from 1966-76 and in 1973 led the charge to change the Territory’s relationship with Ottawa. His vision and work has led to greater control by Yukoners over Yukon resources and government – from devolving power to the legislature in 1979, the Umbrella Final Agreement and first four signed land claims in 1993, to devolution in 2003. Anthropologist Dr. Julie Cruikshank will also receive an Honorary Diploma in Northern Studies from the College. Cruikshank is Professor Emerita in the Department of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. For more than a decade, she lived in the Yukon Territory where she worked with the Yukon Native Language Centre recording oral traditions and life stories with Athapaskan and Tlingit elders. Cruikshank’s work has brought fresh attention to traditional knowledge and oral history held by First Nations elders in their stories and traditions. Senator Dan Lang, Premier Darrell Pasloski, College Chancellor Geraldine Van Bibber and College President Dr. Karen Barnes will also be speaking at the convocation. Students from over 40 certificate, diploma and degree programs will cross the stage Saturday May 11. These include the very first graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences degree program and the First Nations Governance and Public Administration certificate program. 48 students will be graduating with honours. Following last years’ sold out ceremony, the College has split the day into two events. Students in Applied Arts programs will receive their credential at the 11:00 a.m. ceremony. Students in Applied Science and Management and Academic and Skill Development programs will receive their credential at the 2:00 p.m. ceremony. For more information about this years’ graduation ceremonies, including how to get tickets, go to www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/grad/ -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-08T16:46:56+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/four_yukon_students_heading_to_national_and_international_science_fairs_nex http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/four_yukon_students_heading_to_national_and_international_science_fairs_nex#When:23:25:09Z Whitehorse - Three students from Whitehorse will compete against 500 other young scientists from across Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta next week, while another will head to Phoenix, Arizona, to take part in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The three competing at the 52nd annual Canada-wide Science Fair (CWSF) taking place at the University of Lethbridge were the top three winners at the Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair this past December. The regional fair saw competitors from grades four to seven competing. The national fair is for young scientists from grades seven to twelve. The three Yukon scientists and their projects competing in the Junior Division are: Alyssa Bunce, Grade 8, Vanier Secondary School “Pressure Points: A New Way to Manage Stress” Isabel Magsucang, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It In” KC Mooney, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It Out” Bunce is a CWSF veteran, having attended the competition last year in Charlottetown. Magsucang and Mooney created complementary projects focused on radon gas and home heating. Grade 8 student Jacob Newkirk received an invitation to attend the international competition as an observer after winning a silver medal at last year’s national competition for his project “Mythbusting Mouth Guards”. Students in grades 9 to 12 from around the world are eligible to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Newkirk will join 17 students from across the country. The students heading to Lethbridge will be accompanied by Hidden Valley Elementary Teacher Brenda Allen and Vanier Secondary Teacher JD Caudle. The primary goals of the CWSF are to create a positive scientific and social experience for the students by introducing them to their peers from across the country, and to see how the Yukon student’s projects compare with what other young Canadian scientists are doing. The entire week will be full of social and recreational events including a banquet and opening ceremonies, visits to educational institutions and industries, and two days of project judging by over 500 scientists, industry experts and educators. -30- For more information contact: Michael Vernon, Communications Coordinator Yukon College 867-668-8786 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Heather Dundas, Coordinator Science Adventures   Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College  867-668-8739 scienceadventures@yukoncollege.yk.ca   http://www.scienceadventures.ca 2013-05-07T23:25:09+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/vuntut_gwitchin_student_wins_scholarship_to_join_arctic_expedition_this_sum http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/vuntut_gwitchin_student_wins_scholarship_to_join_arctic_expedition_this_sum#When:19:32:39Z Fourteen-year-old Myles Rumley-Nukon will join this summer’s 2013 Students on Ice Arctic expedition thanks to a scholarship funded by the Government of Yukon and Yukon College. Rumley-Nukon is a Vuntut Gwitchin student currently in Grade 8 at Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse. The $10,000 scholarship is provided by the Northern Climate ExChange at Yukon College, the Government of Yukon’s Climate Change Secretariat, Yukon Education and Environment Yukon. Students aged 14-18 were invited to apply earlier this year through their schools. Myles Rumley-Nukon is a Vuntut Gwitchin student who is interested in helping his community fight to protect the Porcupine caribou herd. References accompanying his scholarship application speak highly of him being "a role model for all young First Nation males." “I am really grateful to Students on Ice for this opportunity. I am excited to travel with students from around the world and learn more about other regions in the Arctic,” said Rumley-Nukon. The July 14-28 Students on Ice expedition will include 70 international high school students and a team of 35 world-renowned scientists, educators, Aboriginal Elders, historians, artists, writers, innovators, leaders and polar experts, as well as 30 public and private sector leaders. Students on this summer's educational adventure will develop the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices that will help them to be Arctic ambassadors and environmentally responsible citizens. The team will depart on July 14 from Ottawa and return on July 28 after exploring Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and, in Nunavut, Iqaluit and Resolute Bay. Funding support for the scholarship from the Department of Education is through its First Nations Programs and Partnerships initiative. -30- Contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-04-29T19:32:39+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/percy_henry_to_receive_honorary_diploma_from_yukon_college http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/percy_henry_to_receive_honorary_diploma_from_yukon_college#When:16:48:55Z DAWSON CITY – Percy Henry, a former Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief and respected elder, will receive an honorary diploma from Yukon College this evening. The diploma will be presented at the end of year graduating ceremony for students in the Foundation Year program at the School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City. Eighty-five-year-old Henry is currently a Language Master for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Heritage Department working to preserve the Hän language and history. While Chief of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in from 1968 to 1974 Henry was instrumental in initiating the land claims process and was one of the Yukon Chiefs who traveled to Ottawa in 1973 to present Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. The honorary diploma in Northern Studies is being awarded to Henry in recognition for his positive impact on his community and his significant contribution to northern studies through his commitment to sharing his knowledge of his people, culture and language. “Percy Henry has inspired, mentored and taught many people throughout Yukon,” said Dr. Deb Bartlette, dean of Applied Arts and interim associate vice president Academic at Yukon College. “Yukon College is pleased to acknowledge Percy Henry’s lifelong work in keeping alive his First Nations’ traditions, language and culture, as these are a vital part of education in Yukon.” 15 SOVA students will also cross the stage this evening. Five graduates will be continuing their 2nd year studies at NSCAD University in Halifax, Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, and OCAD University in Toronto. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation is a founding partner of SOVA along with the Dawson City Arts Society and Yukon College. The three partners will be renewing their partnership agreement at the ceremony tonight. The ceremony takes place at 8:00 p.m. this evening at the KIAC Ballroom, which is upstairs at the Odd Fellows Hall, Second Avenue in Dawson City, Yukon. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-04-25T16:48:55+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/cannor_and_yukon_government_support_7_cold_climate_technology_innovation_pr http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/cannor_and_yukon_government_support_7_cold_climate_technology_innovation_pr#When:16:40:15Z WHITEHORSE – Starting next month, visitors to MacBride Museum will be able to enjoy an enhanced museum experience using mobile tablet computers. Mid Arctic Technology Services has created an interactive museum tour product that will provide new information and new context in up to 48 languages. This is just one of seven innovative ideas that have received support towards commercialization from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Government of Yukon through Cold Climate and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC). CanNor is providing $165,658 towards the projects. Funding for the projects also comes from Yukon Economic Development. Cold Climate and Technology Innovation support and in-kind contributions from developers bring the development budget to $446,750. “This investment in local research will create opportunities for economic diversification of the territorial economy while building its scientific and technological capacity,” said Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister of Health and Minister for the Arctic Council. “The commercialization of these ‘made-in-Yukon’ products has incredible potential to create new business and export opportunities for innovative Yukon businesses.” “We are pleased to support projects like this which demonstrate what is possible when innovation and commercialization are encouraged and supported,” Yukon Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon said. “Such projects represent a tremendous step forward in the development of the knowledge-based economy in Yukon, which strengthens the private sector.” “Without this support from CanNor and Yukon government through Technology Innovation at the YRC we would not have been able to build our proof of concept, which then enabled us to attract private sector investment,” said Chris May, president of Mid Arctic Technology Services. May will be launching his new product at the Canadian National Museum Association conference in Whitehorse May 27-June 1. “Alongside supporting truly innovative projects being developed in Canada’s North, these seven projects are also building a wealth of expertise across a range of new technologies,“ said Stephen Mooney, director of Cold Climate and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre. “Expertise, that will have a lasting impact beyond the products and technology that are being created.” The other six projects are: • weather sensors at Northwestel remote sites to gather data towards the feasibility of solar/wind energy powered sites; • enhance existing wood gasification technology to provide biomass energy in Carcross with Pacific Tlingit Energy; • use new, locally-created technology to enhance the capacity of the Dawson City Community TV and Radio Society; • creation of new software with the company Joint Families, to help manage communication and mitigate friction in dual custody situations involving divided families; • phase two  in the research and development of the plastics-to-oil machine being studied at P&M Recycling; • a final stage of development with Boreal Compost Enterprises towards the commercialization of a machine that removes plastic from compost; Cold Climate Innovation and Technology Innovation are two of seven key programs at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) at Yukon College. The other five are: NSERC Industrial Research Chair for College in Mining Life Cycles, Northern Climate ExChange, Biodiversity Monitoring, Science Adventures, and Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Core funding for the Yukon Research Centre is provided by Yukon Education and Yukon Economic Development. -30- This investment is funded by CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building in all three territories. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy. For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Erin MacPherson Communications CanNor 867.667.3849 erin.macpherson@cannor.gc.ca Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-393-6470 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca Samantha Paterson Communications, Economic Development Government of Yukon 867.667.5387 Samantha.Paterson@gov.yk.ca 2013-04-24T16:40:15+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_part_of_new_bc_research_and_innovation_network http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_part_of_new_bc_research_and_innovation_network#When:16:55:51Z WHITEHORSE – Yukon College, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and the Presidents of British Columbia Colleges (BC Colleges) representing 11 colleges in BC, announced today the formal creation of a BC Applied Research and Innovation Network (BCARIN). BCARIN’s mandate is to connect member institutions – their students and faculty – with business and community organizations who seek to solve ‘real world’ problems which demand skill in research and innovation.  BCARIN has launched a web site and network ‘portal’ at www.bcarin.ca and it has appointed its first executive board, co-chaired by Thor Borgford, Dean of Science & Technology at Douglas College and Margaret Heldman, Dean of Science at Langara.  “The BCARIN initiative will grow applied research capacity within the Colleges and fellow institutions. It will produce greater direct engagement of students and faculty with their communities, and promote an extensive sharing of knowledge and resources.  Importantly, the network aims to enhance business productivity and improve the outcomes sought by community organizations,” said Borgford and Heldman. “This new, mutually beneficial partnership will give Yukon College the ability to engage in stronger applied research networking and partnership building initiatives with BC Colleges and the Justice Institute,” said Chris Hawkins, vice-president Research at Yukon College. “It will build capacity and widen access to research funding, which expands the ability of the Yukon Research Centre to serve the needs of our business and community partners in the territory.” “Skilled and educated workers are our most critical resource and BC’s 11 public colleges are focused on ensuring our graduates have the right advanced skills and education to meet labour market demands.  This includes fostering an environment that places an emphasis on applied research and innovation as a means to improved workforce productivity, sustained business and enterprise success, and expanded community engagement,” said Angus Graeme, President of Selkirk College and Chair of BC Colleges. -30-   About BCARIN Members of BCARIN belong to the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and are accredited to administer funding from the three major Canadian federal granting agencies – the Canadian Institutes of Health research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Member institutions include; Camosun College, the College of New Caledonia, College of the Rockies, Douglas College, Justice Institute of BC, Langara, North Island College, Northwest Community College, Northern Lights College, Okanagan College, Selkirk College, Vancouver Community College, and Yukon College. Members offer a broad-range of expertise and experience in research and development, and the required infrastructure to support innovation in industrial, corporate, and community contexts. BCARIN’s website – www.bcarin.ca – was created and is maintained by students working with the Douglas College Digital Cultures Lab. About the Yukon Research Centre The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) at Yukon College has seven key programs: NSERC Industrial Research Chair for College in Mining Life Cycles, Northern Climate ExChange, Cold Climate Innovation, Biodiversity Monitoring, Technology Innovation, Science Adventures, and Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Core funding for the Yukon Research Centre is provided by Yukon Education and Yukon Economic Development.   For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-04-23T16:55:51+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/new_book_highlights_how_inuvialuit_transformed_conservation_in_canada http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/new_book_highlights_how_inuvialuit_transformed_conservation_in_canada#When:18:06:53Z WHITEHORSE – Canada is known throughout the world as a leader in collaborative approaches to environmental conservation and wildlife management. The Canadian North, in particular, is recognized as a place where the federal government has worked closely with First Nations in the creation and management of protected areas. However, the story of how this situation developed is not well understood, either here or abroad. When Brad Martin first learned the story of how a small group of Inuvialuit people with historic claims in the western Arctic wrestled concessions from the Canadian government over the creation of Ivvavik National Park in the northern Yukon, it led him north. In a new book on the global spread of national park ideals Martin has now argued that this episode transformed how conservation was practiced in Canada. Civilizing Nature: National Parks in Global Historical Perspective suggests that national parks have been one of the most important and successful institutions in global environmentalism. It features chapters on the creation of parks in Mexico, India Slovenia, Malaysia, Australia and Yukon, Canada. Ivvavik National Park was created in 1984 as part of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. It protects a portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and represents the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions. In recent decades, the management of the park has been closely tied to international debates over oil and gas development, aboriginal self-government, and environmental protection. Ivvavik was the first national park in Canada created as part of a land claims agreement. The negotiated settlement gave the Inuvialuit authority over some aspects of park management and helped them protect their traditional hunting rights. These were groundbreaking developments, given that rural residents, indigenous or not, had often simply been expelled from parks across the country in earlier times. “We’ve become used to these ideas in 2013, but 30-40 years ago, they were uncommon,” said Martin, a PhD candidate at Northwestern University in Chicago and Chair of the School of Community Education and Development at Yukon College. In his chapter, Martin highlights the importance of longstanding relationships between First Nations people in the Yukon and Northwest Territories and their counterparts in other parts of the circumpolar North, especially Alaska, in influencing local debates over conservation. He states: “The Inuvialuit drew upon ideas, resources and relationships with indigenous peoples in other parts of the world to challenge Parks Canada’s thinking, and in doing so they fundamentally reshaped how conservation is practiced in this country.” Martin’s chapter is entitled Global Values, Local Politics: Inuit Internationalism and the Establishment of Northern Yukon National Park. It is connected to a larger research project on the environmental history of northern Canada involving leading scholars from across the country, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the results of which will be published separately in 2014. Civilizing Nature: National Parks in Global Historical Perspective is published by Berghann Books and available at www.berghahnbooks.com and www.amazon.ca. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-04-16T18:06:53+00:00