Yukon College introduces First Nations core competency for all graduates

Beginning this academic year all credit course students graduating from Yukon College will now possess core competency knowledge in Yukon First Nations history and culture.

Many Yukon College programs require no change as their course content already covers the new core competency knowledge. Vocational and a handful of other programs will need students to complete an online course, one-day workshop (YFN 101) or challenge an online exam which has been approved by the Council of Yukon First Nations and all 14 Yukon First Nations.

“Yukon College President’s Advisory Council on First Nations Initiatives (PACFNI) members are thrilled that their vision of the core competency program has finally come to life. This will better prepare our graduates in their future jobs in Yukon, no matter what field they work in, or which community they live in,” said Melissa Atkinson, Tr’ondek Hwech’in Employment and Training Officer and PACFNI member.

The core competency includes northern and aboriginal knowledge and perspectives, relevant information on the history and legacy of residential schools, land claims and self-government agreements, languages, and the history and culture of Yukon First Nations peoples.

“The core competency programs are aimed at building greater understanding and awareness of the 14 Yukon First Nations in Yukon. This is vital, because if you graduate from Yukon College and live and work anywhere in the Territory, you will be interacting with Yukon First Nations people and working with Yukon First Nations governments and organizations,” said Tosh Southwick, Director, First Nations Initiatives and the School of Academic and Skill Development.

The core competency has been offered to Yukon College faculty, staff and board members since 2013 with 95% having taken the YFN 101 workshop to date.

Since the Truth and Reconciliation Committee released its findings in May, several Canadian universities have announced the creation of similar initiatives starting from 2016; however these have been focused solely on students rather than including faculty and staff members, and none have partnered with local First Nations to create their curriculum.

In 2013-14, 29% of Yukon College credit students self-identified as First Nations. Even as a Selkirk First Nation citizen, Practical Nursing diploma student Janelle Hager believes the core competency is worthwhile for all students.

”I learned a lot about other Yukon First Nations as well as statistics and stories from across Canada. In particular, learning about the history and impact of residential schools is important for all students. This is not openly talked about in our communities and it really helped me to understand what previous generations went through,” said Hager.

In May, Colleges and Institutes Canada awarded Yukon College the inaugural Gold Indigenous Education Excellence Award in part for the development of this core competency requirement.
 
Since 2013, Yukon College has shared the YFN 101 workshop with several Yukon workplaces, including the R.C.M.P., Whitehorse Correctional Centre, Yukon Health and Social services staff, and the general public.
For more information, including which programs and courses meet the core competency requirement and links to the online course and challenge exam, please visit yukoncollege.yk.ca/yfnccr/.