Rock the Talk
SEASON 4 / EPISODE 9
May 1, 2020
COVID-19: Community Connections
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston is joined by a full lineup of special guests to talk about the new normal in the North. Guests include Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, NWTel President Curtis Shaw, Teslin Mayor Gord Curran, RCMP Commanding Officer Scott Sheppard, Natural Resources and Environment Senior Analyst for the Council of Yukon First Nations Ed Schultz, and Matheiya Alatini keeps us up to date with her latest COVID Report.
Part I: AFN Regional Chief: Our New Rhythm
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek discusses AFN's important work to support First Nations during the COVID-19 crisis. Speaking from Ottawa, Regional Chief Adamek speaks about the "new rhythm" of life during the pandemic, and shares ideas about how AFN and all partners can keep working together to help support regional and community priorities.
Part II: Mayor Curran: Generosity Shines in Teslin
Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects wth Teslin Mayor Gord Curran to talk about challenges and priorities of running a northern municipality during a pandemic. As this popular roadside community braces for the economic impact caused by travel restrictions and border closures, Mayor Curran expresses how proud he is of the generosity and spirit of Teslinites. He also shares his views about the prospect of property tax deferments and other initiatives that are top of mind for the Yukon Association of Municipalities and Government of Yukon. Mayor Curran knows there is a long road ahead, but is encouraged by the opportunity to keep working in partnership with Teslin Tlingit Council and other governments to keep the community safe while also moving forward on projects that will be important for the future.
Part III: RCMP Adjusting to Support COVID Reality
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Scott Sheppard, Commanding Officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Yukon to talk about the RCMP's role during a public health emergency. Superintendent Sheppard says there have already been some indications that the pandemic is having an unusual effect on crime, adding that call volume is down and there appears to be an overall decrease in criminal activity so far. This has enabled RCMP members to adjust posture and spend more time assisting those in self-isolation who might need additional support at the community level.
Part IV: Ed Schultz: Keeping Engagement Going
Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with the iconic Ed Schultz for an update on the Yukon Mineral Development Strategy and the new COVID reality. Even though engagement sessions remain on hold due to new COVID restrictions, Ed continues to play an integral role to ensure commitments made under the 1988 Agreement in Principle, the ratified 1993 Umbrella Final Agreement and legislation from the late 1990s and early 2000s continue to move forward. As Natural Resources and Environment Senior Analyst for the Council of Yukon First Nations, Ed's hard work is bringing partners together to ensure Yukon First Nations have a strong voice in a document that will guide the future of Yukon's mining sector.
Part VI: "Yukon-Made" Business Is Staying Positive
Rock the Talk welcomes Joella Hogan, the inspirational source behind Yukon Soaps, one of territories most exciting small businesses. Based in beautiful Mayo, YT, the growth of this young business has had a lot to do with its connection to the tourism sector, which has been hit the hardest by a global pandemic. Joella explains how Yukon Soaps has been able to navigate the early impacts of the COVID crisis, and shares how staying positive, offering Yukon-Made products and having a strong website can make all the difference right now.
Part VII: NWTel: Keeping Northerners Connected
Grand Chief Peter Johnston is joined by Curtis Shaw, President of NorthwesTel, for a discussion about how the North's largest telecommunications company is working to meet the needs of communities in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut during the COVID-19 crisis. Never before has the North been so dependant on our communications technology and high-performance networks, infrastructure that does a lot more than just quench our thirst for online gaming and Netflix. This crisis is showing us just how critical our networks are to the delivery of essential health care, education and business services in remote northern communities – especially right now. Grand Chief and Curtis talk about this unprecedented moment in history and some of the extraordinary challenges that NorthwesTel must overcome to keep our communities connected during a global pandemic.