Sara Connors

2 days ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

Math’ieya Alatini, a former chief of the Kluane First Nation, is the Council of Yukon First Nation’s new grand chief. Alatini was elected and sworn in at the council’s annual general assembly near the community of Teslin on Wednesday where she beat out four other candidates for the role. The non-profit organization, commonly known as CYFN, advocates for First Nations in the territory with the grand chief acting as its political spokesperson.

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A 24-year-old from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories is the first person of Gwichya Gwich’in descent to earn a law degree. Julienne Chipesia received her Master of Laws degree from the University of Manchester in England last week. “It’s always going to be the most significant moment in my life,” Chipesia told APTN News. “I’m also very proud of the fact that I’ve made it this far, especially coming from a single parent household.

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

The blades of a wind turbine belonging to the Kluane First Nation in western Yukon are now spinning. Constructed last year, the Kluane Wind project is a 77-metre-tall wind turbine off the Alaska Highway in the community of Destruction Bay, about a three hour drive west of Whitehorse. The project became operational in early April and is now helping power Destruction Bay and the nearby community of Burwash Landing where the Kluane First Nation is located.

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

A former chief of a First Nation in the Yukon is running to be the next leader of the Yukon Liberal Party – and if successful, would be the territory’s first Indigenous premier. Doris Bill, who was the chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Whitehorse from 2014 to 2022, announced her candidacy for the role on Monday. “I truly believe that now is the time for us to come together to build a territory that is fair and sustainable and one that everyone can thrive in,” she said.

1 month ago | aptnnews.ca | Sara Connors

Art is a sacred practice for Megan Jensen. Jensen, who is Tlingit and a Carcross/Tagish First Nation citizen and lives in Whitehorse, is perhaps best known for her formline art. Much of her work focuses on personal stories – stories she tells with paintbrush and canvas in the traditional artform of her people. “When I’m painting, or I’m drawing, I just feel so connected with a past, with the voices of my ancestors,” she told APTN News. And her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.