First grads of First Nations Governance & Public Admin program celebrated

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