Scientists are filtering DNA from Yukon waterways to map Chinook salmon habitat use. This eDNA technology could provide the most accurate, and cost effective information to date on where salmon spawn. This new technology is a great benefit to management agencies, industry, environmental assessors, and the overall health of the species.  

This innovative technique will be applied by Yukon Research Centre (YRC) scientists in partnership with Hemmera, a local environmental consulting company. Researchers will apply lab-tested techniques to rivers in Southern Yukon by extracting DNA from water samples. These samples will provide valuable information on the presence or absence of Chinook salmon using this low cost and non-invasive data collection method.

WHITEHORSE—Minister of Education Doug Graham announced today that Yukon University will be the new name of Yukon College when it officially becomes a university—a process that is currently underway.

“The eventual transition from Yukon College to Yukon University is another step in the evolution of post-secondary education in the territory,” Minister Graham said. “The ability to grant made-in-Yukon degrees, beginning with the proposed bachelor of policy studies in Indigenous governance, is an exciting new phase in the life of the college and in the lives of Yukoners.”

At the request of the Government of Yukon, Yukon College Board of Governors and staff members spent 18 months researching and visiting more than 60 institutions and organizations around the world to help inform and guide the planning and development work now in progress. The new name was selected following a recommendation from the Board of Governors and staff as part of their work.

Yukon College (YC) ranked first in Canada among all colleges for research intensity, and third and fifth respectively for research funding and partnerships among small colleges, according to the newly released Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc.

The study reports that research income growth for Canadian colleges has decreased significantly compared to previous years. In 2014, Canadian colleges saw a minimal increase of 4.7% in research income growth, following two strong years of +30%. Despite this change, Yukon College’s research income remained relatively stable at $4.2M, alongside large colleges whose student population overshadows YC’s small northern population.

While income growth appears to be declining nationally, faculty engagement has increased by 14.3%. Colleges have also increased their research partnerships by 15.6%, with Yukon College ranking 5th for small Canadian colleges.

WHITEHORSE - Yukon College is pleased to announce the creation of the Yukon College Foundation, lead by an impressive Board of Directors - Wendy Tayler, President, Alkan Air and inaugural board chair; Jim Wilson, Branch Manager, RBC Royal Bank; Pat Tobler, Vice President/Branch Manager, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.; Allison Rippin Armstrong, Vice President Lands and Environment, Kaminak Gold Corporation; and Pierre Lacasse, Senior Financial Planning Advisor, Assante Financial Management – the Foundation will enhance opportunities for students, support leading-edge research and create opportunities for innovation and teaching excellence. 

WHITEHORSE- Tracy Dart’s poem written in the theme “our northern homeland” has earned her a $2,000 cash award. Enrolled in Office Administration, Tracy is working to improve the financial well-being of her family through an education that will lead to gainful employment.

When asked what the $2,000 will mean to Dart, she states, “I’ll be able to pay my heating bills which will allow me to focus on my studies.” Longer term, Dart hopes to enroll her young daughter in a good pre-school and hopefully get her on track to being the family’s first university graduate.

If everything works out financially, Dart looks forward to one day finding time to pursue her passion for writing. Dart will be reading her poem at the Yukon College Student Awards Ceremony next week.

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.

Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation (LSCFN), Yukon College and the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA) are teaming up to deliver an Essential Skills: Introduction to Plumbing and Heating program in Carmacks this Fall.

The College’s Mobile Trades Training Trailer will be stationed at the Carmacks community campus for the program. Students will also obtain hands-on experience through working on community houses and assisting with the current retro-fit of the LSCFN government building.
“This is a high priority of the Chief and Council, to use our infrastructure upgrades to greatly add to LSCFN citizen training, apprenticeship and employment opportunities in Carmacks,” said LSCFN Chief Eric Fairclough. “And we appreciate Yukon College and YMTA’s enthusiasm to work closely with our government to make this happen.”

WHITEHORSE-Jordan Aslett, an instructor in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Yukon College, has been recognized with an award from an international journal. Aslett is co-writer of an article about tackling disengaged students and the constraints of modern universities, such as increasing class size, standardized text books and testing, and reduced guest speakers and written assignments.

“There is a lot of pressure on faculty across Canada, especially adjunct faculty, to standardize the curriculum and teaching. Along with reduced funding for additional source texts and field trips, the result can be teaching that follows a single textbook and fails to engage students, or challenge them to think critically,” said Aslett. “It’s a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t meet the needs of all students or inspire them.”

Whitehorse – A Touch of Green, an exhibit by renowned Yukon artist Lillian Loponen, will open Wednesday, September 30 in the Hilltop Bistro at Yukon College. The opening is from 4.30 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. with the artist in attendance. There will be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
The exhibit features predominantly new work. The 15 paintings are a mix of landscapes, textures, and abstract works chronicling Loponen’s exploration of the colour green.

“After living in a world of Yukon winters blues with variations of sunrise and sunsets, my spirit, heart and soul had been leaning towards a creative world of green, developing a relationship with green. I wanted to know it, absorb it,” said Loponen in her artist statement.

The exhibit runs until mid-December and all paintings at the Bistro are for sale. Yukon College does not receive a commission on any work sold in the Hilltop Bistro.

WHITEHORSE-Wealth management company Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel has partnered with Yukon College to create 15 annual bursary awards of $500 each, totaling $7,500. The awards support Yukon First Nations citizens attending Yukon College in the following programs: First Nations Governance and Public Administration; Heritage and Culture; First Nations Community Services Administration; Heritage and Culture Essentials Skills; and First Nations Leadership Training.

Ten of the bursaries are committed to Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Carcross Tagish First Nation citizens, with the remaining available to citizens from any Yukon First Nation. There will be opportunities to apply in the Fall and Winter terms.  The first application deadline is September 30, 2015.