News

WHITEHORSE, YT—Ketza Construction Corporation has donated $250,000 to Yukon University in support of carpentry programming and student success.

“As a locally owned and operated company, we know the value to our community of hiring locally for our building projects. The comprehensive trades training available at Yukon University has for many years provided, and continues to provide, the construction industry here with quality apprentices and entry-level trades people. We are thrilled to make this donation in support of student and apprentice success at YukonU,” said Peter Densmore, Ketza Construction president and founder.

“Ketza Construction’s donation highlights the value of trades training to communities across Yukon, as well as the importance of trades in our hybrid university model,” said Dr. Maggie Matear, interim president and vice chancellor, Yukon University.

YukonU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) has created a summer entrepreneurship program for youth. The Summer Biz School is a part-time program for university students to develop their skills and potential business idea with the support of I&E and local entrepreneurs.

The Summer Biz School provides a model environment to foster Yukon youth’s business ideas, with up to $2500 of funding support for each participant. The participants will work with local entrepreneurs and have access to I&E’s network of over 100 business mentors. This two-and-a-half-month-long program will provide the students with enough time and exposure to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and determine the viability of their business idea, with a commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Forty, full-time Yukon University students are receiving a brand-new laptop this month to support their educational success during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen will also get a one-year internet package.

Lenovo kickstarted this generous initiative by donating 40 ThinkPad laptops. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel jumped onboard to donate support for eight internet packages. When seventeen students were identified as needing internet support, a Yukon University Foundation board member and an anonymous donor stepped forward to support an additional nine internet packages.

WHITEHORSE, YT—The Yukon University Board of Governors is inviting public input into its priorities as the University continues its evolution over the next few years.

“Our strategic plan guides all that we do. We are keen to hear what Yukoners would like to see as part of our vision for the next five years—what do people want from the Yukon University of 2026?” said David Morrison, board chair.

The board has contracted Yukon-based Strategic Moves to gather input from the public as well as the University community, partners and other stakeholders and support the creation of a five-year YukonU Strategic Plan.

From today until March 5, people are encouraged to submit feedback via an online survey available at yukonu.ca/StrategicPlan/.

Morrison highlighted some of the University’s accomplishments under the current strategic plan:

WHITEHORSE, YT—Chùsi Robin Bradasch joins Yukon University as associate vice president Indigenous Engagement and Partnerships (AVP-IE&P).

Bradasch belongs to the crow moiety and is a citizen of Kluane First Nation. She is the daughter of Sandra Johnson and the late chief Joe Johnson.

Bradasch has 15 years' federal government experience with Crown and Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) based in Yukon, five as director of Governance. Prior to this, she was chief negotiator and director of Land Claims for Kluane First Nation (KFN).

“I am pleased to be joining Yukon University at such an exciting time in its evolution. I look forward to using my knowledge and expertise to assist the University in its long-term strategy development and in building and maintaining strong partnerships with Yukon First Nations and the broader Yukon community,” said Bradasch, who began her new role on January 27.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University has received $50,000 from the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund towards the development of an integrated Mental Health and Wellness Strategy for students and employees.

The funding was announced last week as part of $1 million in grants announced by Bell Let’s Talk for organizations across Canada.

Canadians benefit from a health care system that is informed by research evidence—and by the voices of patients and caregivers. That is why it is essential that the government invest in patient-oriented research, which engages patients as partners throughout the research process.

Today, the Honourable Pauline Frost, Yukon’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Health, announced a combined investment of $10.4 million in funding and in-kind contributions to establish a Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials (SUPPORT) Unit in the Yukon.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University founding president and vice chancellor, Dr. Karen Barnes, has been honoured with the title president emerita by the YukonU Board of Governors.

The designation recognizes the outstanding contributions of retired presidents to the University and to the community, including demonstrated excellence, distinguished service, and effective leadership beyond normal expectations.

“Honouring Dr. Barnes with this significant title is a wonderful and fitting way for Yukon University to remain connected with our founding president as she continues to impact learning and research across the North,” said David Morrison, chair of the Yukon University Board of Governors.

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.

Yukon University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is pleased to announce that a local I&E innovator has moved their business idea through to commercialization. The SUPStick land paddle, invented by Brennan Innovations Inc., is now available for purchase on its newly launched website.

Over the last five years, I&E has helped Joel Brennan, president of Brennan Innovations Inc. and developer of the SUPStick, in making his idea a reality. The SUPStick is an ergonomic dry land Stand Up Paddle (SUP) designed to simulate the feeling of being on water, while using a skateboard on land. I&E played a central role in helping Brennan actualize his idea by supporting him through prototype design, manufacturing and testing, intellectual property protection, and product development.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Audrey McLaughlin and Daka Dave Joe received the first two honorary Yukon University degrees today from Chancellor Allen at his installation ceremony.

At a socially distanced event, held in the Innovation Commons at Ayamdigut Campus, a small group of 20 people gathered in-person, to celebrate this occasion while many more joined via Zoom.

Yukon University Board of Governors chair presided as the University bid farewell to Chancellor Piers McDonald and the chain of office was passed onto Jamena James Allen.

Then, as his first official duty, Chancellor Allen conferred the honorary Yukon University Bachelor of Arts to McLaughlin and Joe.

Yukon University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) and Government of Yukon have launched this year’s Yukon Innovation Prize (YIP).  The theme for the 2021 prize is “innovation for recovery” in response to the global pandemic and its impact on the territory. 

The Yukon Innovation Prize has recognized and supported innovative solutions to address local challenges since 2015. YIP prize winners have the opportunity to further develop their ideas for the benefit of the territory, Yukoners and the rest of Canada.