2025 First Nation School Board Candidates

First Nation School Board (FNSB) Confirmed Candidates

Melanie Bennett

Born in Dawson City into the Wolf Clan of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation, Melanie is the great-granddaughter of Mary McLeod, granddaughter of Alice Titus, and daughter of former Chief Hilda Titus.

Melanie has dedicated her life to working with youth to succeed. With over 30 years in education, Melanie has served as a First Nation liaison, teacher, and administrator in both First Nation and Ministry-operated schools in British Columbia and Yukon. She holds a Bachelor of Education from Malaspina University (Vancouver Island University), and a Master of Education in Multidisciplinary Leadership from the University of Northern British Columbia. She has been the executive director of Yukon First Nation Education Directorate since its inception in 2020, integral in the establishment of the First Nation School Board. As YFNED is an “auntie organization” to FNSB, she is passionate about and deeply familiar with the values and workings of the school board. She has also been the chair of the First Nation Education Commission for the past 5 years.

Melanie is an unwavering advocate for the incorporation of First Nations culturally-relevant learning in all schools, emphasizing the importance of traditional knowledge and Indigenous pedagogies in fostering student success. She takes pride in our Yukon First Nations ways of knowing and traditional knowledge — and strongly advocates that First Nations culture-based learning should happen for our students every day in every school.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys beading, being out on the land, picking berries, gathering medicines and enjoying the Yukon wilderness

David MacMartin

David has a career of accomplishment as both a corporate and Indigenous government relations professional, built on a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto and Master of Arts Degrees in Public Administration from Carleton University and in Canadian History from the University of Calgary. It includes leading negotiation of agreements with the British Columbia and Manitoba governments and in 2025 as Executive Director of Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) Government, of an Accord on Shared Priorities with the Yukon Territorial Government. On Parental Leave from his C/TFN role, David seeks to secure and defend stable and predictable levels of funding for Yukon FNSB schools and offers his government relations experience and record of accomplishments to pursue this goal. David witnessed the signing of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on Parliament Hill on April 17, 1982. He is committed to upholding individual human rights and Indigenous inherent and treaty rights.

He and his wife Kenechukwu and their two children live in Tagish. Their non-Yukon First Nation daughter in the FNSB system has flourished since her enrolment there, reflected in her literacy and numeracy progress reports and her excitement going to school daily.
David’s C/TFN work has reinforced the importance of schools and school community committees as elements of evolving Yukon First Nation self-governance. He will work to support and strengthen these bodies and their contribution to this positive evolution of Indigenous self-governance.

Dustin McKenzie-Hubbard

Dustin McKenzie-Hubbard is a Champagne and Aishihik First Nations father of two young girls, a dedicated language learner, and a committed advocate for strengthening Yukon First Nations education. Through his work as a Family and Cultural Support Worker with Shawthan Nazhi and as a Research Assistant in Indigenous Accreditation at Yukon University, Dustin brings firsthand experience supporting children, families, and communities across the territory.

His roles as a Reconnection Vision Ambassador, a member of WINHEC, and a participant in Indigenous Language Training reflect his commitment to cultural revitalization and lifelong learning. He also carries strong skills in communication, conflict resolution, and community leadership, supported by professional training and years of frontline work.

As a trustee, Dustin is committed to improving attendance by fostering schools where students feel safe, welcomed, and connected to their culture. He believes in strong partnerships with families, Elders, and communities to ensure every Yukon First Nations learner can thrive—spiritually, academically, and emotionally.

Dana Tizya-Tramm

Dana is a Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation citizen, husband, father of two, and former Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. Dana is also a former Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Education, where he played a central role in negotiations to advance First Nations education, including the establishment of the First Nation School Board. He was the first Chair appointed to the First Nation School Board of Trustees.

Katrina Couch

Katrina is a wolf clan member of the Tahltan First Nation with Kaska lineage on her mother’s side and English ancestry on her fathers. Katrina was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, but has also spent several years living, working, and raising her son in the community of Watson Lake, both of which she is proud to call home. Katrina has 18 years of public service, working in areas of justice, child welfare, and mental health. She has a master’s degree in clinical counselling from Yorkville University with a specialization in Child, Youth and Family care.

Mats’äsä̀na Mą Primozic

Matsʼäsä̀na Mą is an Agünda (Wolf Clan) member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation (CAFN) from Däkwä̀käda (Haines Junction). Named by her respected Great-grandma, Chushrùa, Marge Jackson, she is a powerful voice dedicated to ensuring the next generation is grounded in Dän kʼè (our way) and fluent in Dáwänje (our language).

Matsʼäsä̀na Mą brings proven experience from both educational and governance perspectives, having served as a Trustee on the previous, inaugural Board of Trustees for the First Nation School Board (FNSB). This experience gives her unique insight into the board's founding vision and operational needs.

Currently an Adult Language Immersion Instructor and an advanced-intermediate fluent speaker of Dáwänje (Southern Tutchone) with a diploma from SFU, she is a leader in language revitalization. She has also successfully created and coordinated a full-time Youth Language Immersion Program (Youth Today, Language Leaders Tomorrow), teaching advanced Dákwänje courses and leading land-based language and culture immersion camps. Her hands-on experience, coupled with her success in designing accredited youth education programs, makes her a vital candidate for Trustee. Matsʼäsä̀na Mą also serves on the CAFN Language, Culture, Heritage Advisory Committee and actively supports youth through her work with the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle Board. She is committed to ensuring that language and culture are the foundation for student well-being and academic achievement.

Maxine Netro-Fehr

Maxine Netro-Fehr is a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen of Old Crow, Yukon, born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is a dedicated mother of two daughters, both of whom are avid figure skaters. Maxine has demonstrated long-term commitment to her community and her people by having served as a trustee on the Vuntut Gwitchin Investment Trust for twenty years.

Maxine Netro-Fehr currently serves on the board of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), an organization that supports Indigenous trust officers across the country and provides opportunities for development, education, advocacy and engagement. Additionally, she is a board member of the Arctic Edge Skating Club, supporting her daughters' figure skating pursuits. She works as a Property Manager at Vuntut Development Corporation, contributing her expertise to community development and property management.

Maxine Netro-Fehr has a wealth of experience in finance, spanning over 30 years. She began her career at Scotiabank as a customer service representative, then progressed to become a loan officer at Bank of Montreal. She also worked as a loan officer at Dänä Näye Ventures before securing her current position at Vuntut Development Corporation. To stay current in her field, she has attended courses at Yukon University to enhance her finance knowledge.

Josie O’Brien

Josie O’Brien is a Kaska woman born in Whitehorse and raised in Ross River, where life on the land shaped her identity and values. She was raised in traditional practices such as camping, hunting, fishing, and processing subsistence-harvested moose and caribou, and participated in salmon fish camp until her family voluntarily paused harvesting to protect future salmon populations. Josephine has been part of traditional dance for over a decade and continues to reconnect with her culture through learning the Kaska language and attending Dechinta, an on-the-land school led by Elders teaching Kaska history and values. She parents four children across different developmental stages and has been the full-time caregiver for her niece and nephew since 2020, giving her a grounded understanding of the diverse needs of Yukon First Nations families. Josephine carries lived experience, cultural continuity, and deep community roots into every space she serves.

Brad Joe-Malegana

Bradley Joe-Malegana is a Champagne and Aishihik First Nations citizen with roots in Stó:lō and Inuvialuit ancestry. He grew up between BC and the Yukon, learning Sto:lo teachings from his grandma’s side and Dän k’é teachings from his grandpa’s side. Now working as a Wellness Worker and Community Engagement Coordinator, Bradley works closely with youth in rural communities, blending land-based learning, cultural teachings, and modern creativity to help them feel grounded, proud, and connected.