Yukon University showcases northern expertise at the UArctic Congress
A delegation of ten Yukon University faculty, students, and professionals has been representing the institution at the University of the Arctic (UArctic) Congress, this week in the Faroe Islands. The event is one of the largest conferences ever hosted in the country, bringing together some 1,000 researchers, educators, and community leaders from across the circumpolar world.
Throughout the week, YukonU scholars highlighted the depth and the diversity of their knowledge, sharing research and insights on topics like food security, community health, Indigenous youth engagement, tourism, and capacity building in small northern communities.
“I am really excited to attend the UArctic Congress and have the opportunity to build new partnerships,” says Dr. Victoria Castillo, Associate Professor of Anthropology. “This work takes time and is really important to me. I hope to connect with organizations who are living in similar climates and have similar population, who are also addressing food access concerns.”
Castillo and colleague Dr. Andrew Roebuck co-presented work on food security research in the Yukon as part of a YukonU-led session called Interdisciplinary Connections & Creative Capacity Building in Small Northern Communities chaired by Dr. Drew Lyness.
The Yukon Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (YSPOR) was also represented, bringing a focus on youth-led initiatives.
“Our conversation at the UArctic Congress will focus on Indigenous‑led and Indigenous youth‑led research in the Arctic: what it looks like, what it feels like, and why it matters. These are discussions we have every day, but this congress gives us the opportunity to bring that voice forward on an international stage. This perspective, especially when it comes from youth, is really important,” said YSPOR Research Assistant Piper Fordham.
Strong YukonU presence across UArctic networks
The Arctic Congress is a biennial gathering organized by the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a global network dedicated to Arctic-focused education and research. Yukon University faculty and researchers have long been active contributors to UArctic’s thematic networks and institutes.
Dr. Drew Lyness, associate professor in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, is a founding member of the Environmental Humanities Thematic Network, which advances interdisciplinary and humanities‑based approaches to environmental issues.
Amanda Graham, Chair of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, helped establish the UArctic Læra Institute for Circumpolar Education in 2020.
Dr. Rebecca Major, Associate Professor in the Indigenous Governance Degree program, a UArctic Indigenous Fellow and Research Chair in Northern Governance. Her work focuses on elevating northern voices and building meaningful relationships with communities.