Joint News Release: Yukon Forum takes steps toward redressing the harms of residential schools and advancing reconciliation

By November 4, 2021November 25th, 2021News Release

FOR RELEASE
October 29, 2021

Yukon Forum takes steps toward redressing the harms of residential schools and advancing reconciliation

Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments

Today, Premier Sandy Silver and his Cabinet, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met at the Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre for another Yukon Forum.

Leaders agreed that addressing the opioid crisis is an urgent and important matter, and they discussed how they can work together to make communities throughout the territory safer. They also discussed the First Nation Government’s Burial Investigation Committee, which will guide the research and investigation of potential burial sites around former residential schools in the Yukon. The Yukon government committed to working with the Committee and all Yukon First Nations that wish to conduct searches or other work at former residential school sites.

Leaders had a wide-ranging conversation about the Yukon Government’s approach to reconciliation. The meeting also provided the opportunity to share and highlight successful collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing reconciliation.

A number of other issues were also discussed during the Forum, including the ongoing efforts to manage COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of Yukoners, collaborative initiatives to improve the territory’s education system, and the upcoming Yukon Days meetings with the Government of Canada.

Quotes

The Yukon Forum continues to be an important venue for open dialogue between the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations. Today provided an opportunity to review our progress to date and discuss our shared priorities for the coming years. We remain committed to working together with Yukon First Nations to redress the harms of residential schools and advance reconciliation.

– Premier Sandy Silver

Yukon First Nations recognize the vital importance of the Yukon Forum for advancing Yukon First Nations priorities related to reconciliation. Only by working together in collaboration will we begin to right the wrongs of the past and move forward. 

– Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston

Quick facts

  • The Yukon Forum is a meeting of the political leaders of the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations and the Council of Yukon First Nations.
  • The Yukon Forum meets four times a year. The last meeting was held on June 4th, 2021.
  • This is the 18th Yukon Forum meeting since signing the Working Together Declaration in January 2017.

Related information

Contact

Renée Francoeur

Cabinet Communications

867-334-9194

renee.francoeur@nullyukon.ca

Rachel Veinott-McKeough
Aboriginal Relations, Executive Council Office
780-916-6995
Rachel.Veinott-McKeough@nullgov.yk.ca

Lael Lund
Communications Manager, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-335-3227
communications@nullcyfn.net

News release #20-xxx