Yukon University and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in sign Memorandum of Agreement on education co-governance

Dawson City, YT – Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon University are celebrating a step toward education co-governance. Along with members of the community, the two groups came together at Tr’odëk Hätr’unohtän Zho, Yukon University’s Dawson City campus to sign a Memorandum of Agreement on implementing Section 17.7 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Self Government Agreement.

The cooperation agreement establishes a framework for collaboration and shared decision-making between Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and YukonU around post-secondary education in TH Traditional Territory under section 17.7 of the Self Government Agreement, and will align YukonU operation and program delivery in Dawson City.

It also formalizes an ongoing working relationship between the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon University. Earlier this year, the partners launched a new 12-month, land- and community-based bridging program rooted in Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in values designed to support learners in pursuing personal, educational, professional, cultural, and artistic goals in a culturally grounded and supportive environment.

The two groups have also collaborated to extend the Elders on Campus program to Tr’odëk Hätr’unohtän Zho, with Elders now providing weekly on-site activities and support through the academic year.

“This celebration today demonstrates a shared intention to create a lasting framework for collaboration that advances strategic priorities for adult education in TH Traditional Territory. We are guided by what best serves learners, from the programming offered to the supports available to students. At a practical level, we will achieve this through collaborative development of courses, programs, and credentials offered at Tr’odëk Hätr’unohtän Zho, YukonU Dawson City that reflects North Yukon Training Needs.”

– Shelagh Rowles, YukonU Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

“We are deeply grateful to the many learners and teachers who have done the work of enacting real change around adult education in our traditional territory, and we sign this agreement today with the happy knowledge that it is both an affirmation of what we have already been doing and a commitment to building on our successes.”

– Hähkè Darren Taylor