School Council Referendums on the First Nation School Board

Schools

The Minister of Education has accepted resolutions or petitions in eight attendance areas, triggering a referendum vote.

The schools are:

Chief Zzeh Gittlit School (Old Crow)
Grey Mountain Primary School (Whitehorse)
J.V. Clark School (Mayo)
Johnson Elementary School and Watson Lake Secondary School (Watson Lake)
Nelnah Bessie John School (Beaver Creek)
Ross River School (Ross River)
St. Elias Community School (Haines Junction)
Takhini Elementary School (Whitehorse)

Key Dates

January 5, 2022 – early applications for mail-out ballots open.

January 7, 2022 – dates, times and locations of in-person voting will be posted on ElectionsYukon.ca.

January 11 to 27, 2022 – referendum voting period. Eligible electors will have multiple options to cast their vote.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to vote in the referendum an elector must:

be a Canadian citizen, and
be at least 18 years of age as of the final day of voting, and
be qualified to vote in the attendance area based on either:
- being a resident in the attendance area for three months or more as of the final day of voting,
  and/or
- being a parent of a child who attends a school in the attendance area, and
not already have voted in the attendance area in the referendum

Voting Options in Schools

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For the most up to date Referendum voting hour information click here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the referendum question?

Do you agree that this school should be operated by the Yukon First Nation School Board? Yes No

A ‘yes’ vote means that the elector wants the school to be operated by the Yukon First Nation School Board. This change would take place at the start of the 2022/23 school year.

A ‘no’ vote means that the elector would like the school to continue to be operated by the Department of Education with school councils.

Why are we having a referendum?

Referendums are being held in the school attendance areas where the Minister has been requested by school council or by petition to be a part of the Yukon First Nation School Board.

Why are some schools having a referendum and others aren’t?

Schools requiring a referendum vote have either submitted to the Minister:

A resolution from school council to join the Yukon First Nation School Board; or
A petition from the community, signed by at least 20% of eligible electors in the attendance area.

Schools not having a referendum vote did not submit to the Minister of Education a resolution by school council or a petition by the community.

How is my vote kept secret?

Your ballot is sealed inside of two envelopes – first in an unmarked secrecy envelope then in the certificate envelope.

Before ballots are counted, the certificate envelope (with your name on it) is opened and set aside. The sealed secrecy envelope (containing your ballot) is placed back into the ballot box. When the ballot box is re-opened, it contains only unmarked, sealed secrecy envelopes. Your name cannot be connected to your vote.

I’ve been instructed to isolate, can I still vote?

Yes! Email your Referendum Officer and explain your situation. In your email, be sure to include your phone number so they can call to get the necessary information and make arrangements with you to vote.

If you don’t have email access, call Elections Yukon (867-667-8683).

How many votes are needed for the school to become a part of the First Nation School Board?

The minimum threshold for the school to move to the Yukon First Nation School board is 50% +1 of the accepted votes cast.

When will I find out the results?

Unofficial results from the referendums will be posted to ElectionsYukon.ca on evening of January 27, 2022

Still have questions?

Call Elections Yukon at (867) 667-8683

Referendum Officer Contact Information

CHIEF ZZEH GITTLIT SCHOOL

Name: Bree Josie

Community: Old Crow

Email: czgRefO@gmail.com