Anniversary of “Together Today for our Children Tomorrow” marked by making YFN School Board officially official
After a referendum vote, the board was established late last month, but now the formal documents have been signed.
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm poses after signing a letter of agreement to create an Interim Governance Committee for the new board (screenshot from Facebook.com/yukongov).
Exactly 49 years to the day after “Together Today for our Children Tomorrow” was presented to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Chiefs Committee on Education and Minister of Education Jeanie McLean came together to sign papers, officially establishing the Yukon First Nation School Board.
Minister McLean wanted to wait to sign the documents so they could be dated February 14, 2022.
“Thanks for allowing for me to do this here, otherwise it would have been me in my office by myself, and I didn’t think that was appropriate,” said McLean at an afternoon virtual press conference.
“History!” Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief and Chiefs Committee on Education Chair Dana Tizya-Tramm exclaimed after signing a letter of agreement to create an Interim Governance Committee for the new board – consisting of:
Mark Wedge of Carcoss/Tagish First Nation
Alyce Johnson of Kluane First Nation
Jocelyn Joe-Strack of Champagne-Aishihik First Nations
Erin Pauls of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
Melanie Bennett of Tr’ondёk Hwёch’in First Nation
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean signs a ministerial order, formally establishing the YFN School Board (screenshot from Facebook.com/yukongov).
“There really are no words to describe the feeling today. It’s a profound moment in our history. We are truly recognizing and realizing the vision that the Elders had for us, for the Yukon,” said McLean.
The committee will make decisions for the board until five trustees are elected in November. At the end of this school year, councils for the schools joining the board will be dissolved. The Yukon First Nation School Board is expected to be up and running for the 2022 to 2023 school year.
You can read more about the journey to the creation of the board here.
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