News

WHITEHORSE—Professional trades training will soon be offered in communities across Yukon thanks to $1.8 million in funding from Yukon Education and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) towards the purchase of a mobile training lab and supply trailer for industrial trades instruction through Yukon College.

“Yukon’s economy is one of the strongest in Canada and we need to capitalize and prepare our residents for skilled, high wage jobs,” Education Minister Scott Kent said. “This new mobile training lab can be deployed from Watson Lake to Dawson City, and will bring skilled trades training directly into our communities.”

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.

WHITEHORSE –The Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP) at Yukon College will be accepting first year students once again for classes beginning in September 2013.  Intake was suspended for the 12/13 academic year in order to conduct a program review.

“We have carefully considered the program review that was completed last summer and worked with the program stakeholders to develop a plan for addressing the review recommendations,” said Dr. Deb Bartlette, dean of Applied Arts and associate vice president Academic.  “The review showed that the YNTEP program is academically on par with other teacher education programs in Canada, but did make some recommendations to improve the delivery of the program and its relevance to our unique Yukon context.”

The plan has been developed by a Review Action Committee made up of representatives from Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Teachers Association, Yukon College and Yukon Education.

WHITEHORSE – Yukon College’s first ever Report to the Community has won a silver communications award from the North American Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The 13 page report was created in 2012 to provide a brief snapshot of information about the College including special activities, new initiatives, guests, partners, as well as highlighting students, programs and staff.

“Articles in the Report to the Community are intended to show the reach of Yukon College, including international guests, partner highlights and  research work, as well as to highlight what we’re doing that is noteworthy and progressive,” said Jacqueline Bedard, director of College Relations.

“It’s an attractive communications tool that allows us to inform the community about some of highlights from the past year at Yukon College’s thirteen campuses.”

WHITEHORSE− The Yukon College Community Challenge was a huge success during Sourdough Rendezvous activities this past weekend. Of the record 14 teams competing, it was the veterans who prevailed. The Beaver Cleavers from Shey-per Esthetics beat out reigning champs, Canadian Forces team Northern Defenders, to claim first place and $300.

However, with over half the teams participating for the first time, newcomers did not do badly. Taking second and third place were the Ice Frogs from the Association Franco-Yukonnaise and MacKay Magic from MacKay Accounting. Capturing the Red Lantern award for last place, offered for the first time this year, was the Yukon Employees Union team, The Bargainators.

WHITEHORSE− Pumping weights, running laps, and preparing goofy costumes, a record number of Community Challenge teams are getting ready for Rendezvous! Since last year the teams have doubled, at 12 registered thus far.

The Yukon College Community Challenge is set to take place during this weeks’ Sourdough Rendezvous on Saturday Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Teams from Northwestel, Westmark Hotel, Yukon Employees Union, Wines by Design; Shay-per Esthetics, Ramada Inn, City of Whitehorse, and the Canadian Forces, plus four teams from Yukon College will face off against each other in wacky events that will challenge participants’ brains as well as their brawn.

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon College Board of Governors has approved a 1.85% tuition fee increase to take effect for all courses beginning in September 2013. There was no fee increase in 2012.

The price of a course credit will go from $108 to $110. A full year of credit courses will increase by an average of $60. Other programs, including college prep, vocational, pre-employment and skills for employment will increase between $1 and $40 per offering.

“This modest tuition increase simply reflects the rising hard-costs of providing post-secondary education, such as infrastructure maintenance and technology costs,” said Colleen Wirth, director of Student Services. “Our tuition fee policy mandates that the price of education at Yukon College not exceed the lowest one third of comparable colleges in Western Canada, and that is still, and will continue to be, the case.”

WHITEHORSE – Academics, and Inuit and First Nation modern treaty representatives from across Canada will be in Whitehorse this week to discuss the common issues and challenges they face in the implementation of modern treaties.

Building a Modern Treaty Research Agenda is a two-day workshop hosted by Yukon College and the Ottawa-based Land Claims Agreements Coalition. It takes place at the College Thursday February 7 and Friday February 8. The workshop is funded by Yukon Economic Development and the Vuntut Gwichin Government.

Researchers from the Universities of Cornell, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Cape Breton, Toronto, Carleton, Minnesota, and Manitoba will be in attendance. Yukon Chiefs, the Council of Yukon First Nations and representatives of the Land Claims Agreements Coalition will participate in a series of round table discussions with these academics.

DAWSON CITY – Yukon College is pleased to welcome Dr. Curtis Collins as the new program director and chair of the Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City.

Collins is a well-respected curator and gallery director who has successfully revitalised a number of public art galleries in cities across Canada – most recently the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Alongside his curatorial and managerial experience, Collins has instructed at a number of universities and colleges including the First Nations University in Regina, Sault College, Trent University, University of Lethbridge, and McGill University.

WHITEHORSE – Stefan Voswinkel wants to help people with making their dreams become reality.

“Starting your own business is incredibly exciting, but there are many elements that budding entrepreneurs often overlook. Number one being - is this right for me?” said Voswinkel.

Voswinkel operates Ylynx Management Consulting Inc. and is the instructor for the eight-class Introduction to Entrepreneurship course which begins February 12 at Yukon College. This is a credit course and funded by Yukon Economic Development over two years. It has already been offered twice; this will be the third opportunity for students to take the course.

DAWSON CITY - Two visual artists, Jin-me Yoon from Vancouver and Steven Loft from Toronto, recently spent part of January working with students at Yukon School of Visual Art in Dawson City, Yukon. Both artists were accommodated at the Macaulay House Residence, provided with the generous support of the Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture.

Jin-me Yoon

For the past two decades, Yoon’s lens-based work in photography, video, performance, and installation, has explored questions concerning history and place, supported by her underlying interest in the formation of the subject and subjectivities. Her current work on Hornby Island, British Columbia further opens this dialogue about displacement, emplacement and place.

Whitehorse – This year Yukon College turns 50. It all began on June 11, 1963, with the opening of the Yukon Vocational and Technical Training Centre on the banks of the Yukon River (now the Yukon Education building), then came university-level courses and campuses in the communities, until increasing public demand for post-secondary education led to the creation of a territorial college in 1983.

“To celebrate our 50-year milestone we have activities planned throughout the year,” said Jacqueline Bedard, director of College Relations, “Starting with launch of our Amazing Alumni campaign and wrapping up with a big 50th Birthday Bash and YC Student Reunion on November 29th.”

To kick off the year, Yukon College has become a Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous partner. The corporate challenge is rebranded the Yukon College Community Challenge and is expected to be a lively event with competitions to be announced in the coming weeks.