Sara Connors

Whitehorse

National Reporter Correspondent at APTN National News

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Articles

Liard First Nation deputy chief, councillors push back against chief using band money to help family member

3 weeks ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

The deputy chief of Liard First Nation and four of its councillors are accusing their chief of trying to use band money to pay for his sister’s partner’s legal fees. The allegations are contained in a notice posted on social media by Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling and four other councillors about Chief Stephen Charlie. It alleges that Charlie used a band council resolution to hire a lawyer to defend a charge of wasting meat against Perry Wolftail.
Yukon exhibit showcases First Nations ‘Bougie’ jewelry

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A new art exhibit in Whitehorse is celebrating Yukon’s iconic bedazzled earrings. My Big Bougie Beaded* Earrings, which is being held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, features 21 pairs of earrings made by First Nations artists living in or from the territory. Kwanlin Dün First Nation citizen Teagyn Vallevand is the curator behind the exhibit.
Teslin Tlingit Council swears in first female chief

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

The Teslin Tlingit Council celebrated the swearing in of its first ever female chief on Thursday. Elizabeth Bosely was sworn in as chief – or Naa Shaáde Háni in Tlingit – at the First Nation’s annual assembly in Teslin, a two hours drive south of Whitehorse. The First Nation has around 800 citizens, 300 of which live in Teslin.
Yukon court dismisses judicial review request over exploration project in Peel Watershed

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

Yukon’s Supreme Court has dismissed a judicial review launched by the territorial government against the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board over its recommendation that a proposed mineral exploration project in the Peel watershed not go ahead. Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan said in a written decision Tuesday that the lawsuit was “not amenable” to judicial review.
A family housing centre opens in Whitehorse for families fleeing abuse

2 months ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A new temporary housing facility in Whitehorse geared at providing a safe space for Indigenous women and children is now open to the public. The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) held a grand opening ceremony for its Family Preservation Wellness Centre on Friday. The 15,000-square-foot facility is located in Whitehorse’s Whistlebend neighborhood. It includes 10 family style apartments and has capacity for up to 32 beds.
Yukon Quest was Gwich’in musher 'toughest challenges'

2 months ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A Gwich’in musher from the Northwest Territories is celebrating his first dog sled race. Johnny Koe, a musher for Keystone Kennels near Whitehorse, is Tetlit Gwich’in from Fort McPherson, N.W.T.“Taking off from the starting line was such a big relief because we worked so hard to get to that point,” he told APTN News. The Yukon Quest 175 is not for the faint of heart. Mushers raced 175 miles, or 280 kilometres, from the communities of Teslin to Ross River in extreme cold.
President Trump's plan to rename Mount Denali angers Alaskans

2 months ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

Native Alaskans and environmental groups are decrying President Donald Trump’s executive order to change the traditional name of North America’s tallest mountain. The mountain, Denali, is located in south-central Alaska in the Denali National Park and Preserve and stands at more than 20,000 feet. Its name in Koyukon Athabascans translates to “the great one” or “the high one.”But Denali’s name seemingly means little to Trump. During his inauguration address on Jan.
Groups weigh in on oil exploration in Alaska refuge

Jan 23, 2025 | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

Indigenous groups and environmentalists are reacting to an executive order enacted by President Donald Trump that could propel oil and gas development in a sensitive part of an Alaskan wilderness refuge. Trump signed a slew of executive orders during his first official day in office on Monday including one targeted towards “unleashing” Alaska’s resource potential.
CRTC push to improve internet in North 'long overdue' says group

Jan 21, 2025 | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A public interest group and a northern Indigenous broadband provider say Canada’s telecommunications regulator’s efforts to improve internet services in the North are a step in the right direction. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said in announcement last week it would be taking steps to boost internet reliability and affordability for northerners.
L.A. Film student from Sask. First Nation recounts harrowing evacuation

Jan 17, 2025 | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A Saskatchewan man says he’s counting his blessings after he and his family had to evacuate their home in Los Angeles last week due to wildfireSamuel Tipewan is from Witchekan Lake First Nation, Sask, about 150 kilometres west of Prince Albert. He and his family live in Hollywood where he attends film school. Several wildfires have engulfed the Los Angeles area since Jan. 7 due to dry weather conditions and strong Santa Ana winds. One of the fires erupted in the Hollywood Hills neighbourhood on Jan.