Former Kluane First Nation chief takes ever the role from Peter Johnston after 9 years.
Former Kluane First Nation Chief Math'ieya Alatini has been elected Grand Chief at the 45th Council of Yukon First Nations General Assembly in Brooks Brook.
After four rounds of elimination voting Wednesday, Alatini came ahead of Ed Schultz with 31 votes over 23. Schultz then conceded, rather than moving forward with a fifth round of voting to acquire the requisite 33 votes.
Pauline Frost, Steve Smith, and Rose Sellars were eliminated in the first three rounds of votes.
After the election, Alatini spoke to members of the media to express gratitude for her fellow candidates and outline some early priorities.
“The first [priority] that is mandated right now is building unity and looking at the organizational structure to respond to national files and territorial files,” Alatini said Wednesday. “How are we looking at amalgamating the AFN portfolio and the CYFN portfolios? So that is priority number one.”
“And one that has repeatedly come up in every single conversation has been the opioid crisis. How are we dealing with a wraparound, holistic response to the opioid crisis? And I think that’s something that we have to work on together.”

Alatini was sworn in shortly after the election and will take on the role of Grand Chief following the General Assembly. She will also take on the additional responsibilities of the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief when the two organizations amalgamate later this year.
The General Assembly will conclude at Brooks Brook on Thursday.

Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games schedule unveiled
Jeremy Harper elected as Chief of Selkirk First Nation
Yukon government pauses implementation of Health Authority, considering repealing Health Authority Act
Yukon University withdraws from AWG
$300,000 fund boosts student attendance initiatives in Yukon schools
Whitehorse to host 2026 Broomball World Championships
Harper to run for SFN chief
Helicopters head to Alaska for exercise
First Nations warn of increased scrutiny at US border, citing ICE actions
Art brings hope to Whitehorse Shelter amidst challenging times
Yukon Schools to benefit from national School food program
Yukon Liberal Party shuffles leadership
US healthcare workers courted to fill Canada gaps, Yukon next
Whitehorse artist makes Yukon radio debut with Christmas single
🎄✨ Chon-FM Christmas Dinner – Yesterday! ✨🎄
Yukon MLAs celebrate Garbage Truck Santa with tribute
NVD‑Host Society partnership powers 2026 Arctic Winter Games countdown and community giveaway
Senate Committee on Human Rights report calls for changes to government care for youth
Yukon Department of Education corrects bus cancellation rumor amid record‑cold snap