Yukon University welcomes Dr. Rebecca Major as the inaugural NVD Research Chair in Northern Governance

WHITEHORSE—Yukon University now has a Research Chair in Northern Governance thanks to a one million dollar donation from Northern Vision Development LP (NVD). This generous gift will help support this position for 10 years.

The University announced Dr. Rebecca Major as the inaugural Research Chair at a special ceremony held this morning at YukonU. Major is a Métis scholar who achieved her PhD in Public Policy from the University of Saskatchewan in 2020, she is an Associate Professor in the departments of Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Windsor.

“As a majority First Nation-owned company, NVD looks forward to Dr. Major’s work and the preservation and growth of knowledge in northern governance, including the leadership that First Nation and Indigenous communities have and will continue to play across the territory” says Rich Thompson, Chairman of the Northern Vision Development Board of Directors

The Research Chair – the first funded by a donation from a community corporation - will ensure the decades of work that has gone into developing all levels of government in the Yukon—municipal, territorial, national and First Nations—remain a critical part of Yukon history.

Yukon University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Lesley Brown says “This major endorsement from NVD will be transformational for Yukon University. This is a bold stamp of approval for our strategic plan and we are so grateful for this contribution.”

Dr. Major says she is looking forward to moving her family from Windsor to Whitehorse and getting started on her work. “It is particularly exciting that the focus of this role is on northern Indigenous governance. Yukon First Nations have much to offer; they’ve moved the dial on modern relationships and I look forward to learning, and working together.”

Additional quotes:

“Thank you, NVD for this investment in our vision of becoming a thriving learning and research community leading Canada’s North. This major endorsement from NVD will be transformational for Yukon University. This is a bold stamp of approval for our strategic plan and we are so grateful for this contribution.The NVD Research Chair in Northern Governance is a great example of a partnership that embraces northern knowledge that will serve all Yukoners. Research Chairs are awarded to people who are recognized to be the leading minds in their respective fields of study. Yukon University couldn’t have found a better fit than with Dr. Rebecca Major. “

Dr. Lesley Brown, President and Vice Chancellor Yukon University

“This research chair presents a remarkable opportunity, and I am thrilled to be joining Yukon University and establishing Whitehorse as our family's new home. Governance is important; it’s all about relationships. Governance and nation-building should not be approached as an attempt to fit into someone else's box but should reflect the original concepts and inherent values embedded in Indigenous structures.I regard this research chair position as a significant chance to support and contribute to community-led research as an ongoing development initiative. It is particularly exciting that the focus of this role is on northern Indigenous governance. Yukon First Nations have much to offer; they’ve moved the dial on modern relationships and I look forward to learning, and working together.”

Dr. Rebecca Major NVD Research Chair in Northern Governance

“On behalf of the unit holders, the Board of Directors, management, and staff of Northern Vision Development, I’d like to congratulate Yukon University on this crucial step in bringing the NVD Research Chair in Northern Governance to life. I’d also like to pass on a hearty welcome to Dr. Rebecca Major as she sets off as the inaugural individual to fill this role. In speaking with YukonU, I understand Dr. Major is passionate about policy and governance and employs a lens that approaches the field through the understanding of Indigenous people, communities, and governments. As a majority First Nation-owned company, NVD looks forward to her work and the preservation and growth of knowledge in northern governance, including the leadership that First Nation and Indigenous communities have and will continue to play across the territory.”

Rich Thompson, Chairman of the Northern Vision Development Board of Directors