Travelling on Traditional Territories
Yukon First Nations people have lived in the Yukon since time immemorial. In fact, evidence of what may be the oldest remains of human habitation of North America has been found in northern Yukon. During traditional times, First Nations people lived off the land and water, traveling on a seasonal round of fishing, hunting, trapping, harvesting and gathering. This forged a connection to the land and water and its resources that continues to be vitally important.
The territory’s First Nations people have a profound connection with their language and culture. First Nations are distinct social and cultural groups that continue to share collective ties to the lands, waters, and natural resources around them. In recent years there have been extensive initiatives to record traditional place names, learn and preserve First Nations languages, and ensure that stories, songs and dances are passed down from generation to generation.
We are all interconnected; honoring relationships with community, ancestors, to future generations, to the lands on which we live and to all of the animals, plants and even inanimate objects that reside on these lands.
The territory’s First Nations people have a profound connection with their language and culture. First Nations are distinct social and cultural groups that continue to share collective ties to the lands, waters, and natural resources around them. In recent years there have been extensive initiatives to record traditional place names, learn and preserve First Nations languages, and ensure that stories, songs and dances are passed down from generation to generation.
We are all interconnected; honoring relationships with community, ancestors, to future generations, to the lands on which we live and to all of the animals, plants and even inanimate objects that reside on these lands.
Our land has always been home to us
and this is where we intend to stay.
-Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, 1973
When travelling anywhere in the Yukon, you are visiting the traditional territories of a Yukon First Nation. When planning an outing on the traditional territory of a First Nation, it is protocol to reach out to that First Nation.
If your school has a Community Education Liaison Coordinator (CELC) or Education Support Worker (ESW), they are the suggested first point of contact. You may also contact the lands branch.
Today we have much to learn from the traditional knowledge of Yukon First Nations. For all Yukon students, learning lessons from this traditional knowledge can have a significant impact on the growth of their personal understanding and knowledge. Your land-based school outing can be enriched through partnering with the First Nation in your community in the process of planning and delivery.
Feel free to reach out to George Bahm, First Nation Experiential Advisor at First Nations Initiatives branch at the Department of Education, when planning trips. George can be reached at 867-332-7004 or George.Bahm@yukon.ca.
You may also wish to contact the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate to learn about On the Land opportunities.
For an up-to-date list of contacts in your community and other relevant information, see the Yukon First Nations Resource for Teachers.
The First Nations Initiatives branch provides information on Yukon First Nations protocols here.
Learn more about Traditional Territories in the Yukon here.
If your school has a Community Education Liaison Coordinator (CELC) or Education Support Worker (ESW), they are the suggested first point of contact. You may also contact the lands branch.
Today we have much to learn from the traditional knowledge of Yukon First Nations. For all Yukon students, learning lessons from this traditional knowledge can have a significant impact on the growth of their personal understanding and knowledge. Your land-based school outing can be enriched through partnering with the First Nation in your community in the process of planning and delivery.
Feel free to reach out to George Bahm, First Nation Experiential Advisor at First Nations Initiatives branch at the Department of Education, when planning trips. George can be reached at 867-332-7004 or George.Bahm@yukon.ca.
You may also wish to contact the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate to learn about On the Land opportunities.
For an up-to-date list of contacts in your community and other relevant information, see the Yukon First Nations Resource for Teachers.
The First Nations Initiatives branch provides information on Yukon First Nations protocols here.
Learn more about Traditional Territories in the Yukon here.