The Government of Yukon is expanding its commitment to Indigenous language revitalization by increasing support for Yukon First Nations Language Teachers across all three school authorities: the First Nation School Board, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon and Yukon Education Authority.
At the heart of this initiative is a new educational leave program that allows selected teachers to take a full year of paid leave to deepen their fluency in Yukon First Nations languages. Two Yukon educators – Noli Eastmure and Monica Primozic – participated in a successful pilot of the program beginning in 2023. Both were granted full paid leave to pursue intensive language learning.
This initiative responds directly to needs identified by educators and First Nations partners. It reflects the Government of Yukon’s broader commitment to the decolonization of education and to ensuring students have access to Indigenous languages and cultural knowledge in Yukon schools.
In addition to educational leave, the new collective agreement also includes provisions to further recognize and support First Nations Language Teachers. These include:
- paid preparation time to support the development of high-quality, culturally grounded instruction; and
- a $5,000 annual retention allowance for teachers not on the standard Teacher Pay Grid, paid biweekly and retroactive to July 1, 2024.
We are honoured to support the educators who carry the responsibility of revitalizing Yukon First Nations languages. By investing in their growth and wellbeing, we are investing in the future of language and cultures in our schools and communities.
Learning my First Nation language, Southern Tutchone, is powerful, a big responsibility and a gift I can carry back to my classroom and school. Dän ke Kenidan, Dän ke ghàkųnje, łāwa kwats’adinji na – learn your language, speak your language and don’t give up. Shäw níthän to all who supported this program.
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These supports are now enshrined in the newly ratified collective agreement with the Yukon Association of Education Professionals (YAEP), which runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027.
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Enhanced training support for First Nations Language Teachers aligns with the Breaking Trail Together professional development strategy.
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Up to two teachers may be selected for educational leave each year, subject to space being available. Applications must be submitted by May 1 each year.
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Annually, the Government of Yukon provides $1.19 million to the Yukon Native Language Centre to support First Nations language revitalization.
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In 2024–25, $2.6 million was allocated to support the hiring of Language Coordinators and First Nation Language Teachers.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Michael Edwards
Communications, Education
867-471-0902
[email protected]