Yukon Premier, Ministers and First Nations Chiefs travel to Ottawa

Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations

For the second year in a row, Premier Silver and Government of Yukon Ministers will be joined by a delegation of First Nations Chiefs for Yukon Days meetings in Ottawa. Together they will work to advance the territory’s issues and joint agenda with federal officials.

Priorities to be discussed include the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the Porcupine caribou herd and topics around the environment, tourism, housing and child welfare. Goals that have emerged from the Yukon Forum Joint Action Plan will also be addressed.

Representing the Government of Yukon will be Premier Sandy Silver, Minister Pillai, Minister Dendys, Minster Frost and Minister McPhee. Joining them will be CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston, along with Chief Bill, Deputy Chief Schultz, Chief Kane, Chief Joseph and Chief Charlie. A number of councillors from other First Nations will also be attending.

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

Quick facts 
  • Yukon Days is an annual event in Ottawa, this year taking place February 5 and 6. It consists of a reception and a series of meetings between the Government of Yukon, Government of Canada and Yukon First Nations.

  • While in Ottawa, Premier Silver will also be presenting two awards at the Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony on January 31, speaking on a panel at Carleton University’s Northern Lights Conference on February 3, and attending a luncheon discussing Yukon College’s transition to Yukon University with Grand Chief Johnston and Yukon College President Karen Barnes on February 6.

Media contact 

Sunny Patch 
Cabinet Communications 
867-393-7478 
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Jennifer Ward 
Executive Assistant, Council of Yukon First Nations 
867-393-9200 ext. 9224 
executive.assistant@cyfn.net

News release #: 
18-016