News: Governance

Rob Yeomans of Parsons Corporation has been appointed chair of Yukon University’s Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) Governing Council. Yeomans replaces longstanding Chair, Paul West-Sells, of Western Copper and Gold’s Casino Mining Corporation, who served the Council from 2012 until his retirement in 2024.

“We congratulate Rob for assuming this important position, and look forward to leveraging his wealth of knowledge of the mining sector, including the challenges and opportunities,” said YukonU Provost Shelagh Rowles. “I also want to thank Paul for his dedication to education over these past 12 years. His contributions helped build up our training programs to meet the needs of Yukon’s mining sector and workforce at large.”

Whitehorse, Yukon – Yukon University announces the conclusion of Jamena (James Allen)'s tenure as Chancellor. Allen's tenure will be remembered for his commitment to community engagement, as well as cultural and educational advancement in the Yukon. Allen served as Chancellor in transition as Yukon College became Yukon University.

“This University is very unique,” said Allen, “we’ve had input from all Yukoners, both First Nations people as well as non-Indigenous people, launched this all encompassing project called Yukon University. We have laid the foundation and the direction of this institution going forward. “

Even before his tenure as Chancellor, James Allen’s leadership was pivotal in creating the Executive Development program which later became the Indigenous Governance degree program. Celebrating six (6) graduates this year, this program has room to grow and will continue to support the educational aspirations for Indigenous self-determination.

WHITEHORSE—Yukon University’s Board of Governors is growing. The Yukon University Act, which came into effect in February 2020, called for an increase from 12 to 17 members to better represent key stakeholder and rights holder groups. Both the Board of Governors and Yukon Government can appoint members to the Board.

In November, the Government of Yukon appointed Aan Goosh oo Mark Wedge, Gàndałêch Pearl Callaghan, and Christine Mahar to the Yukon University Board of Governors.