Northern Institute of Social Justice invites Yukoners to evening of 'Making Change'

Whitehorse –Yukoners will have a chance to meet and hear national and local leaders speak on social justice challenges and change at the Northern Institute of Social Justice’s Inaugural Speaking Event on November 14.

The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, former Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine, and Teslin Tlingit Council Chief Peter Johnston will be speaking at the event, to be held at the Yukon Arts Centre, at 7:00 pm.

The theme of the evening is “Making Change- Global, National and Local Pathways to Social Justice”.

“If you are interested in social justice issues, this is an opportunity to hear from others who are also imagining, leading and supporting change in different ways and areas”, said Joanne Lewis, Executive Director of the Northern Institute of Social Justice.

There are many ways to define and address social justice, Lewis says. The Institute’s role is providing training, education and research for jobs with a social justice component. Training and education are tools for working through challenges facing northerners and finding solutions to help move people to equality of opportunity and outcome.

Opened in January 2010, the Institute is a Yukon Government – Yukon College project, funded by the Community Development Trust Fund, through Advanced Education. The Institute was developed and is directed by a Council that includes representatives from Yukon First Nations leadership, Yukon Government and Yukon College.  The Institute works with Yukon College instructors, community organizations, First Nations and the Yukon government.. Programs have included training in corrections, regulatory enforcement, trauma, FASD, loss, grief and healing; and managing response to threat and aggression, to name a few.

“Our training tackles issues of concern to frontline workers and others in governments and non-government organizations. We focus on developing knowledge and skills for living and working with these issues in a Yukon context”, said Lewis.

To date, 712 people have taken training through the Institute since it opened in January 2010. New programs are being developed as needs are identified and future initiatives include a certificate program.

For now, though, the Institute is inviting Yukoners to spend an evening with its guest speakers.

“Making Change – Global, National and Local Pathways to Social Justice” starts at 7:00 p.m. on November 14 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Admission is free. There will be a question-and-answer session after the formal speeches, and a reception afterwards.