News

Dr. Michelle Leach, Scientific Director of the Yukon Strategy for Patient Oriented Research at Yukon University has been awarded new funding to support collaborative research, with partners the Yukon Hospital Corporation and Kwanlin Dün First Nation.

The project, “The Power of Traditional Indigenous Medicines: Revitalizing Knowledge on the Road to Reconciliation,” was awarded a three-year College and Community Social Innovation Fund grant valued at $360,000.

The project aims to revitalize knowledge of Traditional Indigenous medicines and integrate them into mainstream healthcare systems.

WHITEHORSE – At its first meeting of the 2024-25 academic year, the Yukon University Board of Governors appointed Shaan Tlein Carol Geddes to the role of Chancellor. Geddes replaces Jamena James Allen, who held the position for two terms.

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. Appointed by the Board of Governors, the Chancellor acts as a bridge between the institution, the students, and the broader community. The Chancellor is responsible for conferring credentials on each graduating student. The position is voluntary for a term of two years.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to congratulate Carol. We are honoured to appoint Carol to this important position,” said Board of Governor’s Chair David Morrison. “It is a testament to her impressive career, as well as her deep commitment to her home, her people, and to Yukon University.”

YukonU has appointed Wendy Sokolon as the university’s first University Librarian.

In this new senior leadership position, Sokolon will lead YukonU’s library in its continued development in alignment with our academic plan and our increasing research intensity.

Right now, Sokolon is creating a vision and a plan to expand the library’s capacity and resources to effectively support the growing and evolving needs of students, faculty, staff and researchers.

Sokolon has been a member of YukonU’s library team for almost two years.

You may recognize her from her former roles at the Yukon Archives, ATIPP Office, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Whitehorse Public Library.

She is grateful to have had the privilege of living in the Traditional Territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an Kwäch'än Council for the past 17 years and is committed to the ongoing work of decolonizing herself.

WHITEHORSE – Yukon University has received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This funding was announced on June 14th at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Michael Ross, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Northern Energy Innovation has led this project at Yukon University. The project received a total of $187,843 to access electric power system modelling and analysis software. This software is used to help the research team model remote power systems to conduct technical assessments and incorporate more renewables without affecting system stability. 

“We’re excited about the opportunity to better support our partners as we work together to reduce our reliance on diesel fuels.” said Dr. Ross, “This new platform will also help our students be trained to industry standard and better prepare them for future careers.” 

Whitehorse, Yukon – Yukon University announces the conclusion of Jamena (James Allen)'s tenure as Chancellor. Allen's tenure will be remembered for his commitment to community engagement, as well as cultural and educational advancement in the Yukon. Allen served as Chancellor in transition as Yukon College became Yukon University.

“This University is very unique,” said Allen, “we’ve had input from all Yukoners, both First Nations people as well as non-Indigenous people, launched this all encompassing project called Yukon University. We have laid the foundation and the direction of this institution going forward. “

Even before his tenure as Chancellor, James Allen’s leadership was pivotal in creating the Executive Development program which later became the Indigenous Governance degree program. Celebrating six (6) graduates this year, this program has room to grow and will continue to support the educational aspirations for Indigenous self-determination.

Whitehorse, YT -- Yukon University’s Housing Maintainer Program lets students earn while they learn,  providing 30 weeks of full-time employment and training.

The training cohort’s latest accomplishment – a 1-bedroom tiny house – will be on the move Thursday March 28th to its permanent location in the Takhini River subdivision.

Built at Yukon University’s Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM), through a partnership with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), house construction provided hands-on learning for residential building and maintenance. This is the fourth ‘Building Stability’ home built for CAFN through this partnership. The project intends to build stability for both the trainees and the tenants while the energy efficiency creates a stable sustainable home.

YukonU First Nation students have embarked on a healing journey through Indigenous arts, and the next stop is an exchange with the Sámi people of Norway and Finland. This exchange involves the sharing of traditional skills between two Indigenous cultures who seek to protect and revitalize their Traditional Knowledge and maintain their languages.

Over the past three years, the YukonU community campus in Mayo, Yukon, developed a series of Indigenous arts programs in response to the trauma and grief that students were facing in the community. It began with a hide-tanning workshop in partnership with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, which led to a Yukon First Nations Arts program, and then garment-making and sewing programs that involved students sharing their creations in a community fashion show.

YukonU is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and we are looking for memories and stories to help us reflect back on six decades of educational experiences shaped right here in the North.  

“We are a university rooted in vision and opportunity," says Dr. Lesley Brown, President and Vice-Chancellor, Yukon University. “From the very beginning, students have gained exciting career and education training to meet the demands of a growing North.”