The Government of Yukon and the Chiefs Committee on Education (CCOE) are announce the official establishment of the First Nation School Board. The Minister of Education, Jeanie McLean, signed a Ministerial Order establishing the new school board today.
Today, the Government of Yukon and Chiefs Committee on Education gathered to honour the 49th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. On this day in 1973, the seminal document was presented by Yukon First Nations Chiefs to then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Today, Chiefs gathered in unity to mark the momentous occasion of achieving a newfound authority over education, which their forebearers requested nearly 50 years ago.
The Minister of Education and Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Education signed a Letter of Agreement, which establishes an Interim Governance Committee. This committee will assume the work and responsibilities of launching the new board until trustee elections are completed this November. This is a necessary step to ensure a successful start to the school year for those schools moving to the new school board.
The five members of the Interim Governance Committee are:
- Dr. Alyce Johnson, a life-long educator and former principal of Kluane Lake School and member of Kluane First Nation.
- Erin Pauls, known for her leadership and commitment to building the foundation children need for their learning journey. A member of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and currently their Director of Education.
- Jocelyn Joe-Strack, an Indigenous scientist, philosopher, entrepreneur, and member of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Currently the Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge with Yukon University.
- Mark Wedge, member of, and former Chief for, Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Has held, and currently holds, many leadership roles focused on education, and economic and social development.
- Melanie Bennett, life-long educator, member of the Tr’ondёk Hwёch’in First Nation, and current executive director of the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate.
These members bring a wide variety of experience in the Yukon education system to their roles. The Interim Governance Committee will make decisions to prepare for and ensure a successful establishment of the school board for the 2022–23 school year.
On February 2, 2022, the official results from the territory-wide referendum revealed that eight Yukon school communities in seven attendance areas will be governed by the new First Nation School Board starting in the 2022–23 school year.
