06 Nov Climate Action Fellowship Targets Young Yukon First Nations
FOR RELEASE
November 6, 2020
This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations, Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region and Youth Climate Lab.
A local initiative is recruiting young people for a 20-month fellowship in which they will assist in the creation of a Yukon First Nations Climate Vision & Action Plan.
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Yukon Region and Youth Climate Lab (YCL) will select 12 finalists for the Yukon First Nation Climate Action Fellowship. Applicants to the program must be between 18 and 30 years old and a citizen of a Yukon First Nation or transboundary Nation in BC or NWT (within the COVID-19 bubble).
The joint project has been awarded $120,000 in first-year funding from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. YCL will also provide in-kind and cash contributions.
The 12 successful applicants will partake in web-based and land-based training that focuses on the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical quadrants of life; they will collaborate with Yukon First Nations governments, CYFN and AFN Yukon Region to develop a Climate Action Plan; they will also collaborate with the Government of Yukon’s Youth Panel on Climate Change, which is providing implementation advice on the government’s new strategy, ‘Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.’
The Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend for their participation and any travel costs will be covered.
At the Climate Action Gathering in February 2020, Yukon First Nations leaders signed a declaration calling for climate change to be treated as an emergency and for youth to be engaged and empowered to play a leading role in developing a plan of action. The young people who attended developed their own climate document: Our Principles and Our Role in the Circle of Life. The new Fellowship and the youth-centred climate plan intends to integrate the worldviews and value systems of Yukon First Nations, such as their deep relationships with land, water and wildlife.
Quotes
“Our youth are the stewards of the land today and in the future. I have confidence in their passion to move forward using the wisdom of Elders to protect our fish and wildlife, our waters and our land” – Grand Chief Peter Johnston, Council of Yukon First Nations
“We must unite and empower youth to their share their vision, inspire change and take action. Youth are the leaders of today. By holding them up and supporting them through advancing their leadership, resilience and knowledge, they will continue to truly make a difference in their communities across Canada and beyond” – Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region
“The Yukon First Nation Climate Action Fellowship is about more than Climate Change, it is about holding up Yukon youth from any path – from group-home, trapline, or PhD. Every perspective is needed to create this vision for tomorrow. Through the program, we aspire to honour each Fellow’s journey. Together we will heal, grow and innovate as we craft a path that pivots Yukon towards the future envisioned by the Climate Action Fellows. I am so excited to dream and do with this amazing team” – Jocelyn Joe-Strack, Co-Lead, Yukon First Nation Climate Action Fellowship
Link: youthclimatelab.org/calloutyukonfirstnations
Contact:
Juliann Fraser
Communications Advisor
Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext.: 9223
Amanda Dehling
Executive Assistant
Assembly of First Nations – Yukon Region
867-333-0118
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.