This month, Yukon’s Premier, Ministers and Yukon First Nations Chiefs and Councillors traveled to Ottawa to discuss Yukon issues and priories with the federal government. Over February 5 and 6 the delegation met with federal Ministers and discussed a wide-range of Yukon issues, which included youth and child care, climate change, rural infrastructure needs, tourism, indigenous language revitalization, and renewable energy opportunities.
Trip highlights and announcements
The evening of February 5, Premier Silver and Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomed guests to a Yukon Days reception. On February 6, Grand Chief Johnston and Premier Silver spoke at a luncheon to share on Yukon College’s transition to a University.
The morning of February 7, Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost and federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos announced a three-year bilateral agreement, which recommits support for the unique early learning and child care needs of Yukon. This agreement allocates slightly more than $7 million over three years for early learning and child care investments in Yukon. Read the federal release and the Yukon government release.
Quotes:
“Inviting Yukon First Nations governments to join us for the Yukon Days meetings is the right decision – and the results of our meetings last year prove this to be true. Together, we are showing the importance of speaking for Yukoners with a single voice across all governments, and know that we will build on last year’s success in furthering Yukon’s priorities in Ottawa.” – Premier Sandy Silver
“Yukon First Nation Chiefs look forward to participating in Yukon Days for the second year. It is vital that Yukon First Nations are involved in meetings with federal ministers to ensure that a unified voice is presented to Ottawa on joint priority areas.” – Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston
Read the full Yukon government release.
Highlights from Yukon Days in Ottawa
It was encouraging to meet with Minister of Environment & Climate Change @cathmckenna, MP @LarryBagnell and Councillor Carol Buzzell to discuss our efforts to protect Porcupine caribou herd. Thank you Minister McKenna for advocating on our behalf. #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/frMyeDprJp
— Pauline Frost (@PFrostOldCrow) February 6, 2018
Good discussion with federal Minister of Indigenous Services @Min_IndServ Jane Philpott, @CYFN_GrandChief Johnston, Chief Bill & Minister @PFrostOldCrow on the collaboration between @yukongov and Yukon First Nations to reduce the number of children in care. pic.twitter.com/kWDhi8XmyW
— Sandy Silver (@Premier_Silver) February 6, 2018
Great conversation with federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development @NavdeepSBains, MP @LarryBagnell and Chief Charlie on CanNor funding, bolstering innovation in #Yukon, and renewable energy opportunities! #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/7xtjZQyrX0
— Ranj Pillai (@RanjPillai1) February 6, 2018
.@yukoncollege has become a cutting-edge institution for northern research and innovation that is leading to environmental, economic and social solutions for the North. I'm excited to be sharing in Ottawa today on Yukon College's transition to a University. pic.twitter.com/AxgNzqfPBY
— Sandy Silver (@Premier_Silver) February 6, 2018
At the #YukonDays reception with Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver, Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Minister Jeanie Dendys @KluaneAdamek @CYFN_GrandChief @jeaniedendys @Premier_Silver #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/6CYslVGUq1
— Perry Bellegarde (@perrybellegarde) February 6, 2018
Today’s agreement between Canada and #Yukon is a big step towards ensuring that Yukon children get the best start in life, and in delivering better child care for Yukon families! pic.twitter.com/7Oj459b7oK
— Jean-Yves Duclos (@jyduclos) February 7, 2018
Thank you Minister @melaniejoly, @CYFN_GrandChief Johnston, Councillor Aucoin, Ralph Smarch & Dave Joe for the passionate discussion today on the importance of both preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages. #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/Hc5MRIldxp
— Jeanie Dendys (@jeaniedendys) February 7, 2018
Great to speak government to government to government @SohiAmarjeet! Yukon has unique #infra needs and I’m happy we will work together to meet them. #YukonDays #YTpoli pic.twitter.com/qcZ9j7CmCJ
— John Streicker (@JohnStreicker) February 6, 2018
Positive meeting with federal Minister of Health, Honourable @GPTaylorMRD. Thanks @CYFN_GrandChief, MP @larrybagnell and Councillor George Shepherd for joining the conversation that addressed key issues including cannabis legalization and the opioid crisis. #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/AioblEhWS2
— Pauline Frost (@PFrostOldCrow) February 5, 2018
Important discussion today with @marcomendicino, Councillor Aucoin and Dave Joe on the Administration of Justice Act and the federal review of all laws and policies with an indigenous lens. #ytpoli pic.twitter.com/X1wp4Xtgm7
— Tracy McPhee (@TracyMcPheeRS) February 5, 2018
Thank you @LarryBagnell @Premier_Silver @CYFN_GrandChief @RanjPillai1 for your inspirational vision of #reconciliation as we work together towards a bright future. pic.twitter.com/DxA8I8l5VA
— Minister Carolyn Bennett (@Min_CIRNA) February 5, 2018
