Rock the Talk
SEASON 4 / EPISODE 10
May 15, 2020
COVID-19: The New Normal
As the Government of Yukon prepares to unveil its reopening plan, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with a range of special guests to talk about the New Normal and the road ahead for Yukon students, families and businesses. Guests include Yukon Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, outgoing Interim Leader of Yukon Party Stacey Hassard, Education Minister Tracey Anne McPhee and the outgoing President of Yukon College, Dr. Karen Barnes.
Part I: Larry Bagnell: Focusing on Relief & Recovery
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Yukon's Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell to the show to talk about new federal programs and services available for Yukon businesses that may be struggling due to COVID crisis. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency), Larry is busy boosting awareness of how to access much-needed federal programming. He says the current priority is "relief and recovery" programming, and indicates the timetable for a federal budget with an injection of stimulus funding is still unclear. Beyond the business boost, Grand Chief and Yukon's MP indulge in a diverse conversation about new gun legislation, the opportunities and challenges of the new normal and the importance of supporting one another during this unprecedented global crisis.
Photo Credit: Liberal Party of Canada / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part II: Stacey Hassard: What's Next for Yukon Party
Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with interim leader of the Yukon Party Stacey Hassard to reflect on the new normal and the past three years of growth as a Party. With only eight days until a new leader is chosen by the Party, Stacey is proud of his brief term as leader of the official opposition, and is looking forward to working with the new leader.
Photo Credit: CBC North / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part III: Katie Johnson: Yukon Arts & Culture Update
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Katie Johnson for a discussion about the impact the COVID crisis is having on the arts and culture scene in Yukon. Katie is a co-founder of the ADAKA Cultural Festival and plays a lead role to advocate for arts and culture in the territory in her role as Director of Arts for the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association. Katie says the decision to postpone the festival was truly difficult, as it has been for so many other community events, but YFNCT believes the health and safety of Yukoners comes first. Energy now shifts to modernizing the promotion and sale of art, taking exhibits online and raising awareness of a new Yukon Arts brand.
Photo Credit: Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part IV: Education Minister: The Challenges Ahead
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Tracy-Anne McPhee, Minister of Education for the Government of Yukon to take an in-depth look at how the Department and how Yukoners are responding to the closing of schools. Minister McPhee praises the incredible effort Yukoners are making to keep kids learning right now, and talks about what's ahead for students, teachers and parents as we face unprecedented challenges this summer and fall.
Photo Credit: CBC North / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part V: Karen Barnes: Our Journey to Yukon U
Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with Dr. Karen Barnes, outgoing President of Yukon College, to talk about the final preparations and priorities this summer with the launch of Yukon University just around the corner. After years of hard work, recruitment and collaboration will be a big part of the summer ahead, let alone the challenges of opening the North's first University during a global pandemic. As the torch is passed to a new President later this month, Grand Chief acknowledges Dr. Barnes' legacy and her hard work advance education in the Yukon over the past nine years.
Photo Credit: Yukon University / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part VI: Chief Smith: Health, Safety, Economy & More
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Chief Steve Smith to talk about the long-awaited plan to reopen the territory and what it could mean for the citizens of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Chief Smith shares his experiences, observations and the stories that have inspired him over the past few months, and talks about the important work ahead to ensure Yukon First Nations benefit from current and emerging economic development opportunities in the territory.
Photo Credit: 98.1 CHON.FM / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
S4E10 Quick Links
Official site of the Yukon Party, the party in official opposition at the Legislative Assembly.
Discover the beauty of DÄN K’E and more on the official website of CAFN.
The amazing ADAKA Cultural Festival has been a showcase for Yukon First Nations since 2011.
There's lots going on at CYFN! Check out what's new in the news section of our website www.cyfn.ca.
Official website of the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association.
Check out the official site of Yukon U as students and staff prepare for an unforgettable first year!