Training the next generation of First Nations leaders

WHITEHORSE - Ten students have spent this week learning the complexities of First Nations leadership in Yukon.

The First Nations Leadership Training course featured a number of speakers including Chief Joe Linklater of the Vuntut Gwich’in and Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation, a highly successful First Nation in southern BC.

Aimed at anyone who may be considering a leadership role in the future of his or her First Nation, this five-day program covers the roles and responsibilities of Chief and Council, strategies for maintaining personal balance, and discussions on ethical decision-making, as well as an overview of the UFA and Final Agreements, strategic planning, and creating legislation and policies.

“One of the main themes of this program is tackling the notion of how do you bridge between the quiet, deliberative, future looking approach that first nation elders and leaders had in the past, in a world where you have rapid fire decision making on a day to day basis,” said Kirk Cameron, course instructor, Whitehorse City Councillor, strategic management consultant and author of a number of books and articles on northern government and society.

“You have to separate their own interest from that of the community. There are a lot of viewpoints. There are a lot of issues and as such one cannot be argumentative in the least, I don’t believe,” said Chief Louie to the class on Tuesday.

“One must be a listener. One must deal and understand the issues and one must work hard to represent those interests in a very prudent and very direct manner that advances that community’s needs. That’s our role and it’s not only at the first nation level but at all governments, all leadership roles,” added Chief Louie.

Given the recent engagement of the Idle No More movement, David Moss, a student from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin, BC, believes this is an exciting time to look at leadership issues.

“People with no voice are starting to step up and I believe that this sort of course is a great opportunity for us to start a new leadership and a new proactive generation of first nation people,” said Moss.

“We can move together to work with the non-native governments, in unison and hopefully a symbiotic relationship, so that we can create partnerships in business and growth in communities, education.” 

Last year, this course was delivered directly to the Trondek Hwech’in FN, Kwanlin Dun FN and the Teslin Tlingit Council. This first Whitehorse offering of the course aims to more generically address the wide-ranging challenges faced by leaders in all First Nation governments.

For more information about this program please visit the Yukon College website: www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/programs/info/fnlt

Chief Louie and two Westbank FN councillors were able to visit the program thanks to the generous sponsorship of Urban Systems Ltd.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca