WHITEHORSE – Virtual schools, improved capacity within First Nations’ governments, climate change impacts, and the potential of a much larger, more ethnically diverse growing population, are some of the visions expressed when thinking about Yukon 25 years from now.

This is what was heard at a series of community consultations, held this past spring and summer, intended to inform the next five-year strategic plan for Yukon College.

Between April and June, public meetings were held in every Yukon community and with key stakeholders, including youth and youth workers, the arts community, the mining sector, the business community, Yukon government, plus College staff and students amongst others.

“Over 400 people came out to give us their thoughts and what we heard is that the College is many different things to many different people,” said Paul Flaherty, chair Yukon College’s Board of Governors.

WHITEHORSE - Have you ever found yourself explaining life at minus 40 to a tourist from Florida?

For a visitor this story of your everyday life could be one of the most meaningful experiences they take away from their trip here-fulfilling their sense of wonder and reinforcing the uniqueness of Yukon. For you, sharing this story may help to reinforce your own identity of being a survivor, of your resourcefulness in keeping yourself and your house warm.

Interactions like this take place every day through winter and summer in Yukon. They are part of our cultural geography and have a huge impact on the value and meaning visitors take away from their experience here. However, unlike the number of people entering via the airport or the highway and how full our hotels are, the sharing of stories and their impact is much harder to measure, and therefore value.

WHITEHORSE – After picking a new direction for the city, Whitehorse residents can pick a new direction for themselves. On Thursday October 18th the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre is not just a polling station; it also plays host to a career and volunteer fair.

Yukon College, Volunteer Bénévoles Yukon and Yukon Work InfoNET (YuWIN) are joining forces to present a range of volunteer, career and educational opportunities to city residents.

Over 40 representatives from companies, professional associations, non-profit groups and post-secondary educational institutions will be on hand to speak with people at the event.

“When looking for work or fresh opportunities, it’s often said that it’s not what you know, but who you know,” said Ann Bowen, Enrolment Management Coordinator, Yukon College.

Whitehorse – Two national science programs celebrate milestones this year and the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College is throwing them a party to celebrate.

The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) reach 20 and 50 years respectively of fostering science in the North.

"A great deal of research and knowledge has come from these two important programs," said Chris Hawkins, vice-president Research at Yukon College.

"The research and science taking place in Yukon is always the result of valuable partnerships between a variety of organizations, including NCP and NSTP, so we have chosen this as our theme in celebrating their anniversaries."

Partnerships in Yukon Science will take place on October 18 in the Multipurpose Room at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be speakers and presentations with lunch provided at 12pm.

WHITEHORSE�The governments of Yukon and Alaska, along with Yukon College and the University of Alaska, signed a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today in Juneau to promote mutual cooperation in industrial and mine training.

�There is mutual benefit for Yukon and Alaska to share mining-related educational programming and information,� Yukon Education Minister Scott Kent said. �This Memorandum of Agreement provides an opportunity for further cooperation in the pursuit of our similar needs and interests.�

Hard rock mines � both surface and underground � in addition to placer mines, operate in Yukon and Alaska. The need for common training and expertise is just one aspect of the expanding relationship between Yukon and Alaska.

WHITEHORSE - The Canadian Mental Health Association, Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, Yukon College Counseling Services and Mental Health Services have joined forces to sponsor Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day.  This event, held during Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 1st - 5th) will raise awareness of depression, anxiety and risky drinking.

�We learned last year that Beyond the Blues is a great opportunity for people to learn more about the symptoms of some mental health problems,� says Marie Fast, Clinical Manager for Mental Health Services. 

�The beauty of this program is that anyone can come � whether you are concerned about your own health or someone you love, or are just plain curious.�

WHITEHORSE�The School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City has been awarded $1.42 million to continue its fine arts curriculum for the next three years Education Minister Scott Kent announced today.

The Government of Yukon is pleased to continue supporting Yukon College and the School Of Visual Arts with funding that will cover the costs of program delivery, personnel and administration,� Kent said. 

�SOVA has a strong presence that contributes to Dawson City�s arts and culture community, attracting students from near and far to study in the Klondike region.�

SOVA is an art college accredited through Yukon College and located in Dawson City. Students who successfully complete its Foundation Year Program receive a visual arts certificate from Yukon College and may block transfer this certificate into a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at any of the five Canadian art colleges and institutions partnered with Yukon College.

WHITEHORSE - Valerie Royle knows the value of tackling grief in the workplace head on. This past year the outgoing President and CEO of the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board and her team experienced the loss of two employees – Kathy Fedorak and Frank Fry.

"My team is much stronger now than if we had muddled through and didn’t have any supports in place. Both Kathy and Frank were very beloved and everyone here was devastated," said Royle.

"Right away, we set up a quiet room for people to go sit if they were feeling overwhelmed. They could have a cry or speak with an on-site EAP counselor."

Royle is a strong advocate of creating a more compassionate workplace. At the end of the month she will be sharing her experiences at a workshop designed to create a more compassionate work environment.

WHITEHORSE – Students heading back to class this week at Yukon College will learn that "You Matter Here".

The statement, featured on posters and postcards around campus, is part of efforts to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for the College’s diverse student population.

The campaign is spearheaded by Mitch Miyagawa, coordinator of the College’s Yukon Cultures Connect project. Miyagawa hopes the campaign will spark discussion among students and staff and help them appreciate each other’s differences.

"I’ve been spending a lot of time building bridges between Yukon’s cultural groups and saw a way to do this inside the College also,” said Miyagawa. “I would really like to help the College continue to grow as a leader and role model in the community, promoting and celebrating our diverse community here."

Michelle McHardy, Residence Mentor at the College, worked with Miyagawa to develop the campaign.

WHITEHORSE - A Japanese machine that vaporizes plastic and converts it to synthetic diesel is now up and running at P & M Recycling in Whitehorse.

Cold Climate Innovation (CCI), part of the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College, will be testing the machine over the next year in the hopes that it will prove cost-effective and robust enough to take on the road to Yukon communities.

“We are incredibly pleased to have the first continuous-feed plastics to oil machine in North America, here in Yukon,” said Stephen Mooney, CCI director.

The machine can process 10 kilograms of plastic per hour to create 10 litres of synthetic diesel.

Pat McInroy, owner of P & M Recycling plans to use the diesel as heating oil for his 600 square foot operation over the winter.

"We will definitely create way more fuel than we need, so the next job is to find customers that are willing to try something new."