The Ayamdigut Campus in Whitehorse is honoured to have Yukon First Nations Elders on campus.
Elders are important central members of Indigenous Communities. To be considered an Elder, one must have earned the trust and respect of the community, have a high degree of knowledge of traditional teachings, ceremony, healing practices and be comfortable and able to share this knowledge.
The individuals selected by Yukon University as Elders on Campus represent many Yukon First Nations and bordering First Nations, thus, each are able to contribute different world views to students.
Elders at Yukon University are faculty members and regularly give talks on Indigenous topics, attend Elders Campfires at the Roddy Blackjack Camp, share music and stories in the Samay Thìa Harry Allen Lounge, and provide spiritual and wellness support. Elders are often invited into classrooms to provide teachings on specific curriculum.
To meet with an Elder, for more information and to find out when events are happening, please see the First Nations Cultural Coordinator in the Samay Thìa Harry Allen Lounge.
To connect with an Elder, email elders@yukonu.ca.
Engaging the Elders on Campus
Guidelines to learning and practicing, together, ways of being in good relation.
This document offers key guidance on ways we invite everyone to show respect for our Elders time and energy as well as helping us to balance the many requests for their participation from across the University (and beyond).