Two Yukon College Students Participate In UN Model Arctic Council
Whitehorse – Two Yukon College students, Kayla Mintz and Kyle Cashin, have been selected as official staff for the upcoming United Nations Association of Canada Model Arctic Council being held in Whitehorse, October 27-30, 2010. In conjunction with the UN International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding, the Model Arctic Council is hosting a simulated UN council where high school students from across northern Canada and 7 other arctic countries gather to dialogue on northern issues. Mintz’ role will be the Official Press of the Model Arctic Council and Cashin will fulfill the responsibility of Delegate Resource Person.
Mintz and Cashin will direct the youth participants who will attend as country diplomats and officials. Conference organizers are expecting 80 indigenous youth. The conference will provide Mintz and Cashin with a platform to experiment in practical roles as well as participate on the northern issues that will be on the table. Mintz and Cashin were nominated because of their studies in the interest area of northern peoples. Mintz studies in Northern Justice and Cashin is in the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program. “This is a fantastic opportunity that builds relationships among our youth, bridging northerners from all regions on their issues,” says Colleen Wirth, Director of Student Services. “We are pleased to be supportive of our students who are part of a program that provides a venue where knowledge and dialogue about Northern issues are developed and global perspectives are strengthened.” The selections came about when the United Nations Association of Canada approached the College to nominate candidates who could act in a more senior role with the high school students during the conference. The other senior candidates come from Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, and Montreal.
The College will host the youth with a welcoming luncheon on October 29. The mandate of the United Nations Association in Canada is to create and engage awareness in citizens of the international issues that face the United Nations. More information about the conference can be found at
Ann Bowen
Coordinator, College Relations
Yukon College
867 668 8786
www.yukoncollege.yk.ca