Yukon College Elder to speak at Queen's University

WHITEHORSE – Yukon College elder-in-residence Randall Tetlichi will be a presenting panelist at the 15th Annual Symposium in Indigenous Research at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, this weekend.

Tetlichi will share his thoughts on how First Nations people and non-First Nations people can work together to create a better world with the 150 people expected to attend the event. The former Vuntut Gwitchin chief would like to see traditional knowledge from First Nations communities be given the same recognition as scientific knowledge when it comes to addressing the challenges of climate change in Canada.

“We have no choice but to work together, think together, and act together, for our own survival,” said Tetlichi.

Tetlichi is a highly respected traditional healer and teacher who has worked for years for the protection of the Porcupine Caribou herd, which migrates through traditional Gwitchin territory.

Janice Hill, Director of the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre at Queen's University, said it is exciting to have Tetlichi visit the symposium, as the annual event is usually attended only by people from Ontario.

“This will be the first time we have an elder from Yukon attending the conference. We have never had someone travel so far within Canada to be with us,” said Hill.

“The exciting and challenging time that we live in demands the curiosity that comes with the integration of traditional wisdom and knowledge with that of science.  We are privileged to share Randall’s skill in sparking this important discussion,” said Colleen Wirth, Director of Student Infrastructure Services at Yukon College.

The goal of the symposium is to create awareness and understanding of the indigenous experience in Canada. The keynote speakers this year are Paulo Wangoola and Sakokwenionkwas Tom Porter. Wangoola is the founder and President of Mpambo Afrikan Multiversity, a community-based centre of higher learning, dedicated to the advancement of indigenous knowledge and scholarship in Uganda. Porter is the founder, director and spiritual leader of the traditional Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke and a champion for the revitalization of Native languages and traditions.

Tetlichi will give his talk, entitled Living in Harmony, at the Justice and Coexistence panel on Saturday afternoon.

Tetlichi took up his position at Yukon College in 2008. He provides support that is rooted in traditional knowledge for all students at the College. Throughout the year Tetlichi organizes activities such as snowshoeing, campfire drumming and singing, ceremonial sweats for students and staff, storytelling as wells as talking to classes, counseling, and giving advice and direction to students.