Bachelor of Education alumni gather to celebrate program’s 30th anniversary

May 22, 2019

WHITEHORSE—Alumni, former and current instructors and program coordinators of the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP) will gather Friday to celebrate 30 years since the first students began classes. 

The Bachelor of Education, offered in partnership between Yukon College and University of Regina, aims to foster critical awareness of the negative consequence of historical colonized schooling and the imperative today for a curriculum experience that values Yukon First Nations’ cultural experiences.  

The program includes courses in Yukon First Nations history and in cross-cultural education and progressive teaching practice across all curriculum areas to prepare teacher candidates for working with and for the diversity of students across Yukon. 

Today, alumni serve throughout the education system as front-line educators, as well as in school administrative positions, at the Department of Education, various First Nations governments, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Native Language Centre and Yukon College. 

The program initially only accepted students of First Nations ancestry but has expanded its entry over the past decade, allowing limited seats for the admission of non-Indigenous students. As well, students possessing a curriculum-based degree such as History or English can enter a two-year Bachelor of Education After Degree. The program is small relative to other programs and on average graduates ten students, most of whom enter teaching positions in the Yukon, and typically at the elementary level (Kindergarten – Grade 7). Most of the Yukon’s 32 schools are represented by YNTEP graduates.  

In 2018-19 there were 27 students in the four-year program and 15 students in the two-year After Degree program. There will be a combined total of 10 Bachelor of Education graduates who will ‘cross the stage’ at graduation this week.  

The 30th anniversary celebration takes place Friday, May 24, 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the Kinnikinnick Kaff and Roddy’s Camp at Ayamdigut campus. This will be an alcohol and drug-free event. All YNTEP alumni are welcome to attend. 

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