Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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

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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

Monday, May 13, 2013

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.

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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

Monday, May 13, 2013

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.

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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

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

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/

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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

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

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.

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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