Dännch’e my First Nation name is Näthatthį’ā, my English name is Millie, I am of the Agünda Wolf Clan and a Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Citizen. I have lived in Haines Junction about all my life. I chose to raise my Children here, I Graduated from St. Elias as well. I have put my name forward to be part of an important role in my daughter’s life and the lives of all our Community children, education is the first stepping stone for many. I’m a past School Council member for St. Elias and served 10 years, I would like to continue to give back to our Community. My education stems of Academic Arts and Science, and Business Administration both taken at the Yukon College/University, I also have Language Revitalization courses from University of Victoria and achieved my Yukon Native Language Teachers Certificate from the Yukon University.
I am a proud mom of two, my son Nevada graduated from St. Elias in 2020 and my daughter Neveah is in Grade 5 here. We love to dance with the Dakwäkadä Dancers and take part in Cultural events and love to be out on the land learning from our elders. Shäw Níthan.
Dana Tizya-Tramm is the current Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Education. As a youth, Dana was let down by the colonial public school system in the Yukon, and dropped out of high school in Grade 11. He forged his own path of learning through reading, taking post-secondary courses, and connecting with his Gwitchin Elders and culture.
Dana considers being a “contributing member of the community” to be his greatest accomplishment. Meanwhile, he has been a champion in education, energy and community development – chairing the FNSB through negotiations to develop the First Nation School Board Agreement with Government of Yukon, holding the Government accountable in their response to the 2019 Auditor General report on education through repeat meetings, letters and a formal presentation to the Standing Committee for Public Accounts. In his community of Old Crow, Dana has been integral in efforts to make the town carbon-neutral, including the installation of the largest solar array in the Arctic. He is Old Crow’s youngest chief.
Dana’s term as chief is ending this November, enabling him to run for a position on the First Nation School Board. He lives in Old Crow and Whitehorse with his wife and two young children.
Shadelle Chambers was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon and is a member of the wolf clan of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN). Shadelle graduated high school in Whitehorse and continued her post-secondary journey at Yukon College. She then completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Aboriginal Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University.
Shadelle has dedicated her career to advancing the interests of Yukon First Nations. A passionate and dedicated advocate, Shadelle forged her path in governance by working for various Yukon First Nations, including serving 8 years as an elected Council member for CAFN. For the last 6 years, Shadelle has been the Executive Director at the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights, titles and interests of First Nations holding traditional territories in the Yukon. In her role at CYFN, she has lead the development of many supports and services for Yukon First Nations, including Family Preservation Services which provides culturally grounded, wrap around supports and services to Yukon First Nations and Indigenous children and families. She has also been integral in the operations of the Yukon Native Language Centre (YNLC) and recognizes the gaps and challenges in the current education system for language acquisition.
Shadelle is the mother of two teenage children: Cameron who graduated from high school in June 2022 and Adrianna who currently is in grade 11 at the Independent Learning Centre (ILC). Shadelle enjoys beading, sewing, and spending time on the land.
Sean is a born and raised Yukoner. He’s a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and resides in Haines Junction. Sean’s two oldest children are former students of St Elias Community School. His youngest child and two foster children are current students.
Sean attended most of his schooling in the Yukon, completed grades eleven to thirteen in Ontario, and later earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Northern British Columbia. He currently works as the Yukon University Haines Junction Campus Coordinator. Through all his work, including previous employment as CAFN Director of Language, Culture and Heritage, Superintendent of Kluane National Park, and small business operator, he has built strong, cross-cultural partnerships to achieve shared goals.
As both a student and parent Sean has experienced ups and downs within the educational system. He appreciates students learn in different ways, and that conventional approaches to education don’t work for everyone.
In his leisure time, Sean is likely found recreating on the land, where he feels most at home. Sean believes working together in a positive manner will help build an educational approach representative of all Yukoners and responsive to every students’ needs.
Charyl has been the Education Director for the Vuntut Gwitchin Government for the last four years. Previous to this work, she was an Education Support Worker and Educational Assistant at Chief Zheh Gittlit School in Old Crow. She believes that education in and outside of school walls can be a positive experience.
"My biggest passion and dream is knowing that our community whether it be right down to the babies, have the ability to learn and live who they are through language and culture and that is Gwich’in; that is what keeps me going every day."
Charyl believes you need to work with the community in order have a strong educational system, and listen to the needs of the youth.
“It’s important for youth to be active participants of the community because they have their own thinking, whether simple or complicated or have questions,” she says. “It brings a different perspective to the table, and we need to have them there so they can take on some of the roles that will be open to them down the road.”
Another highlight for Charyl is her involvement with the Teechik Dancers that consists of youth and community members that share the traditional Gwich’in dances at many venues they continue to be a part of.
Charyl Charlie was born and raised in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., and moved to Old Crow to raise her family in the traditional Gwich’in lifestyle. She is a graduate of FH Collins, Yukon College, NAIT and Red Deer College.
Jocelyn Joe-Strack, Daqualama is the Indigenous Knowledge Research chair at Yukon University and an appointed member of the YFN School Board Interim Governance Committee (IGC). Jocelyn aspires to carry forward the knowledge and work of the IGC into the new YFN School Board. She envisions our schools as centres for community, where children honour their whole selves (spirit, heart, mind, and body) and thrive as confident and capable Yukoners.
At YukonU, Jocelyn works with young people through the YFN Climate Action Fellowship (yfnclimate.ca) and champions whole person approaches to education and healing. As K-12 education is transformed, Jocelyn will concurrently work to evolve Yukon University and ensure programs are ready to continue our student’s whole person learning journeys.
Jocelyn is a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. She is a trained microbiologist and hydrologist. She was raised by her father, a leader of our FNs land claims, and mother, an elementary school teacher. She brings the teachings of both to her career as a leader and professional Auntie. Jocelyn lives in Whitehorse with her husband and two daughters.
Learn more about Jocelyn’s philosophy on education and social change on TiKTok, Instagram and Facebook: @auntyjocey
Dawn Waugh (she/her), Northern Tutchone of the Wolf Clan, is a citizen and beneficiary of Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) in Whitehorse, Yukon. Born and raised in the Yukon, she values family and is passionate about contributing to her community.
As the current Director, Education and Social Development for KDFN at Kenädän Kų̀ - House of Learning, areas of responsibility include; Language and Culture, Early Learning and Childcare at Dusk'a Head Start Family Learning Centre, K-12 Education, Post-Secondary Education, Adult Education and Employment, Pathways and Income Support.
Dawn has education and experience in education and training, business administration, human resources, management and leadership.
My name is Kothetty, my English name is Erin Pauls. I am a Tahltan, Tlingit, British, and Russian. I hold my crest from the Tahltan nation, Cheyone, which is the wolf clan. I was born and raised in the Yukon and I am a member of the Champagne & Aishihik First Nations. I am a mother of two; my children are Adanchilla and Salix Pauls-Lepine. My children are among my greatest teachers.
I hold a level 3 in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelors of Education from University of Regina and a Masters in Educational Leadership & Management from Royal Roads University. I am currently pursing my Doctorate in Education at Simon Fraser University. I have worked in Education for 22 years in a variety of areas, early childhood education, teacher with the Department of Education, Director of Dusk’a Head Start and my current role as Education Director for Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
I also have the honor of being on the interim board of trustees for the First Nation School Board. I am most excited for after the trustee election when the community committees are formed and each of the FNSB schools will have a local body of authority.
Gillian Staveley is a member of the Liard First Nation. She is passionate about on-the-land education and believes this is an exciting time to bring new approaches to education in Yukon. As a candidate, she wishes to contribute her skills and energies to the task of doing so.
Gillian received her master’s degree from the University of British Columbia. Currently, she is the Director of Culture and Land Stewardship with the Dena Kayeh Institute where she works to advance the importance of land, language, and culture in building a sustainable future for our children. Gillian was recently appointed to the inaugural Council to launch and support the National First Nations Guardians Network. Through her experience on numerous boards, councils, and committees Gillian has worked with Elders, Youth, Indigenous Leadership, and Crown Governments. She understands the importance of listening to community members about issues of concern to them.
Gillian is the mother of two strong and energetic boys and lives and works in the Kaska Traditional Territory. She knows first-hand the challenges and the emerging opportunities in our schools and the importance of including Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being in our education system and in all sectors of society.
