Rock the Talk
SEASON 4 / EPISODE 15
July 24, 2020
Ready to Rock
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston is joined by Samson Hartland, Executive Director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines to talk about the future of resource development in the Yukon, NDP Leader Kate White stops by for a chat about 2020, lawyer and Indigenous rights advocate Victoria Fred shares her insights into the push for restorative justice, and Ranj Pillai, Minister of Everything, drops by to talk economic development, energy, agriculture and much, much more.
Part I: KDFN Builds On Community Policing Success
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Chief Doris Bill of Kwanlin Dün First Nation for an update on readiness for Phase 3 of our COVID-19 reality and to talk about KDFN's new Community Tripartite Agreement and Letter of Expectations establishing a new relationship between the KDFN and RCMP. "Good policing is built on relationships, open communication, cultural understanding and accountability," says Chief Bill. "Today, we can move forward on these principles."
Photo Credit: CBC North / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part II: New Leader: Meet Yukon Party's Currie Dixon
Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with newly-elected leader of the Yukon Party Currie Dixon to talk politics, the pandemic and the state of the Yukon Party. Born and raised in Whitehorse, Dixon plans to engage with communities to talk about issues, restore relationships and prepare for the next election. "The relationships between the Yukon Party and Yukon First Nations hasn't always been the strongest, but it's an area I really want to improve," he says. Dixon also credits the Yukon Liberals for re-establishing the Yukon Forum, something he says he would continue if his party is elected.
Photo Credit: CBC North / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part III: Yukon U All About Community Connections
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Yukon University's first President, Dr. Mike DeGagné to talk about the priorities, opportunities and challenges ahead as Canada's newest and northernmost university prepares to set sail during a global pandemic. DeGagné believes recruitment, connectivity, community engagement and campus health and safety will be top of mind when campus doors open for Yukon U's inaugural semester on August 31.
Photo Credit: Yukon News / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part IV: Animal Problems, Mobile Solutions
Grand Chief Peter Johnston talks with Tanya Mickey about the prospect of a Mobile Animal care initiative for Yukon. Mickey is a volunteer on a mission to support Yukon communities that may have a cat or dog problem, and may see value in a mobile clinic. She suggests its something that could involve establishing a partnership with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, which provide animal health clinics for cats and dogs in rural and underserved areas in Canada. It could also be a problem we solve with a made-in-the-Yukon mobile clinic, but she adds there's still some research and engagement needed.
Photo Credit: Dermalskin.com / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
Part V: Dr. Brendan Hanley: Yukon's Response
Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Dr. Brendan Hanley, Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health, to talk about this historic public health emergency and what Yukoners can expect in the weeks and months ahead. Dr. Hanley's message is to stay diligent and to stay ready, but also to move forward with priorities such as opening the economy again and allowing kids to return to school. And in a calm, steady voice he explains that there is no risk-free way ahead. "The future for us is learning to live with COVID, and this is one of the aspects – that we learn how to do school right – and give our kids the best educational opportunity that they can have while we are learning to address the risks of COVID that can occur." Grand Chief Johnston praised the territory's top doctor, but Dr. Handley feels that the territory's success is largely attributed to the strength of its people, and that we can continue to make a difference simply by staying ready, staying positive and continuing to look out for one another.
Photo Credit: CBC North / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM
S4E6 Quick Links
Official site of the Yukon First Nations Hockey Association and Native Hockey Tournament
The Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse was cancelled due to COVID-19. Here's the official site.
For the latest updates on the global pandemic, visit the World Health Organization website.
There's lots going on at CYFN! Check out what's new in the news section of our website www.cyfn.ca.
The Government of Yukon is looking to pass a bill that would see the ban of conversion therapy.
For the latest information about COVID-19 in Yukon, visit www.yukon.ca