WHITEHORSE – Yukon College is pleased to announce John Wright as the interim coordinator of the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP). Wright has long supported the program and brings over 40 years’ experience as an educator, including 16 years as Principal of Elijah Smith Elementary School, to this role.

“I am very familiar with the Yukon Native Teacher Education program. Many YNTEP students have taken their practicums at Elijah Smith Elementary over the years, and close to 20 graduates were hired as teachers during my time both there and at Whitehorse Elementary before that,” said Wright. “YNTEP produces strong teachers who are culturally sensitive to the unique challenges of teaching in Yukon.”

Yukon mines are one step closer to improving their operation efficiency with an innovative water treatment technology. Researchers at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) are developing this new technology that can be utilized locally and globally with the potential of commercialization.

This project is one of six research commercialization projects that have received support from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Economic Development, Yukon government, through Cold Climate Innovation (CCI) and Technology Innovation of the Yukon Research Centre.

CanNor and Economic Development are together investing over $380,000 with an additional $254,000 from proponents for a total of over $635,000 towards research commercialization.

WHITEHORSE – Matching funds from Yukon Energy Corporation and the federal government will allow the Northern Climate ExChange (NCE) of the Yukon Research Centre to continue its research investigating the implications of climate change on hydro generation at the Whitehorse dam.

Yukon Energy and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada have each contributed $385,000 to allow the Northern Climate ExChange to build upon preliminary research already conducted with the energy corporation. Technical and other support will be provided by the Yukon Geological Survey and Environment Yukon’s Water Resources Branch.

“This project aims to improve our understanding and preparedness for the impacts of climate change in northern Canada, which is of vital importance to Yukon’s prosperity,” said Lacia Kinnear, Manager, Northern Climate ExChange.

WHITEHORSE - Yukon College launched a re-designed website homepage today. It features a simplified, cleaner look that provides more information at-a-glance, with improved main navigation menus floating over an archival image from the College’s 50-year history. 

“The new design ensures that current and future students are only one click away from the information that matters most to them,” said Director of College Relations Jacqueline Bedard.

This new look is backed up with improved site-wide navigation and a new programs page with groupings aimed at providing future students with clear pathways into College programs.

WHITEHORSE - With the support of Cold Climate Innovation and Government of Yukon’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Northwestel has completed the photovoltaic array that will power the Engineer Creek microwave site in the Yukon for
the next twelve months.

Construction of the pilot project began in July as part of an energy feasibility study between Northwestel, Cold Climate Innovation of the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College and the Energy Solutions Centre of the Government of Yukon’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. After the installation and significant testing, the solar cells are now self-reliant as the diesel engines were shut off and placed on reserve use for winter.

“The site has been working perfectly since we turned off the diesel engines,” said Northwestel Infrastructure Planning Manager Barry Sugden. “In the few weeks that the 15 kW array has been powering the site, there have been no issues.”

WHITEHORSE – Returning students are taking a lead role in orientation week this year at Yukon College’s Ayamdigut campus. They will be on hand to provide advice about after hour’s activities and offer survival tips to new students, as well as lead first year students through opening day, Tuesday September 3.

Second year Practical Nursing student Cassandra Wood is one of eight returning students who will act as orientation leaders on Tuesday. They will each work with teams of 8-12 new students guiding them as they participate in fun activities designed to help them get to know the College and each other.

“It’s hard to find your way around and get to know everyone when you first arrive,” said Wood. “I relied on other students for help when I started here, so I know having us there to answer questions and provide support will make a difference to new students.”

Exploring Future Partnerships to the Benefit of Students

Building on pre-existing collaborations —  Primary Care Paramedic training and Conflict Resolution courses — Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and Yukon College in Whitehorse are signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today that commits both post-secondary institutions to continue to work together over the next three years.

“We’ve had a very positive relationship with Yukon College and we would like to see that continue and deepen to contribute to the shared strengthens at both institutions and in meeting community needs,” said JIBC President Dr. Michel Tarko. “This MOU paves the way for further collaboration in courses, programs, and offers possibilities for specific areas of applied research."

WHITEHORSE – Yukon College is calling on the territory’s diverse population to help create a unique mural for their 50th Anniversary. Yukon Diversity Art Project – I dreamed I was home is designed as a community endeavour to evoke and celebrate the cultural mosaic that exists in Yukon and is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The project will be coordinated by Yukon artist and Yukon College Artist-in-Residence Nicole Bauberger. Bauberger is a veteran facilitator of 25 community mural projects in Ontario and Yukon. Dawson City Community Library, Whitehorse Youth Centre and Whitehorse Elementary School each possess a mural facilitated by Bauberger and successfully created by children, youth or the wider community.

WHITEHORSE – Cooking soup at Victoria Faulkner Women’s Shelter, cleaning up after Operation Nanook at the Takhini Arena, connecting with seniors at Copper Ridge Place, stocking shelves at the Whitehorse Food Bank, sorting garbage at Raven Recycling, and painting the fence at Hospice Yukon - these are some of the 20 community projects over 160 Yukon College employees will be undertaking for as part of their annual Fall Huddle this week.

“Last year everyone really enjoyed their work with community groups across the city,” said Margot Neely, college instructor and one of the event organizers.
“The overwhelming feedback from staff was ‘More!’ – More activities and more time to do them. So we have pushed lunch back by 45 minutes to give everyone more time at their placements and increased volunteer options from 12 to 20.”

WHITEHORSE - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for the creation of a new Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) at Yukon College, which will create jobs and stimulate economic growth throughout the region.  The Centre will help Northerners acquire the skills they need to fill local jobs in the rapidly growing mining and exploration sectors, while conducting applied research and enhancing Yukon’s attractiveness for mining investment. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Senator Daniel Lang and Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon.