EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drin Hozo!

Shozre Melissa Flynn, Tr'ondek Hwech'in dich'e. I am a Tr'ondek Hwech'in citizen from the Yukon. I grew up fishing, hunting and berry picking with my parents, grandmother and aunties.

I have worked in Education in the Yukon for the last 14 years as a Han language teacher, Vice Principal and now as the Executive Director of the newly formed First Nation School Board.

I have the honour of working with our Yukon students, families, First Nation Governments and school teams delivering an enriched learning experience that is imbedded in local culture and worldview.

DIRECTOR OF FIRST NATION SCHOOL BOARD

Yak'éi yee xwsateení

Kothetty yoo xa̱t duwasáakw

Erin Pauls dleit ḵáa x’̱éináx

Cheyonia x x̱ a̱t stiee

I am Tahltan, Tlingit, and a citizen of Champagne & Aishihik First Nations. I have two children whom I consider my greatest teachers. I was born and raised in the Yukon and am proud to call the Yukon my home and raise my family here. I am a ravenstail weaver, drummer, and traditional dancer with Dakhka Khwaan and the Dakwakata Dancers. I love being on the land and hunting and gathering with my family.

I am honored to be working as Education Director for the First Nation School Board. I have the privilege of working with land and language connectors and the language coach. I also work collaboratively with the Communication Director to implement and support community committees.

I have been working in Yukon education since 2001. I bring my experiences from working in early learning, aboriginal head start, the k-12 system in Yukon, and as a First Nation Education Director.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Drin Gwiinzii, shuuzrì’ Indica Stewart vilzhìh. Khasrijil’aii Teetłit Gwich’in tr’iinjòo ihłii. Shizheh K’oo trih tł’eedik Teetłit Gwinjik tshuu zheh gwats’àt giinli; shizheh K’oo Teetl’it Zheh gwats’àt giinli. Whitehorse gwihch’in.

(Good day, my name is Indica Stewart. I am a proud Teetłit Gwich’in woman. My family originates from the banks of the Peel River Watershed; my family is from/lives in Fort McPherson. I live in Whitehorse.)

I was raised by my grandparents and was incredibly fortunate to grow up immersed in traditional knowledge and Gwich’in culture, guided by my grandmother, Mavis Stewart. She made sure that I was brought up the way she was, grounded in who we are as Gwich’in. She passed on her teachings to me, and I continue to learn from her every day.

I visit Fort McPherson often and try to spend as much time as I can on the land. Being back home, surrounded by the river, the bush, and the sounds of the land, brings me a deep sense of peace. It’s where I feel most grounded, most connected to my spirit, and to who I truly am as a Gwich’in woman. The land reminds me of where I come from, and it always brings me back to myself.

Over the years, I’ve grown a deep passion for learning more about my culture and reconnecting with the Gwich’in language, especially knowing that my grandma carries the weight of being a silent speaker because of the impact residential school had on her. That pushes me to keep learning, not just for myself, but for her and the generations to come. I carry our stories and strength through sewing, beading, and painting, these forms of art keep me grounded and connected to my roots.

I come from a long line of strong matriarchs and patriarchs, women and men who have always inspired me to walk in my culture with pride, purpose and humbleness. Their strength and guidance continue to encourage me to learn our traditional ways and to carry them forward. I hope to be a trailblazer for future generations, just as they were for me.

Sports have always been an important part of my life, especially volleyball, basketball, and softball. Being involved in sports has taught me lifelong values such as confidence, self-discipline, teamwork, and pride. These lessons continue to shape who I am today, both personally and professionally.

I’m proud and excited to continue this journey; learning, growing, and helping to keep our culture alive through my work with the First Nation School Board.

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS

Dénhtʼā? (How are you?), I am a Kaska and Tahltan First Nation citizen of the Liard First Nation. I grew up in Alberta but had the opportunity to reconnect with my family in the north as a young adult. I moved to Whitehorse to attend the Yukon Native Teachers Education Program (YNTEP) to start my teaching career. I was blessed to meet my husband in Whitehorse and have four daughters who have been my support in my life journey. I continued my career, teaching in Old Crow and Whitehorse before my husband's career took us to live in the Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta and then central Alberta. I am very excited to be back home in the Yukon to work alongside the staff and educators of the First Nation School Board.

In my 21 years of teaching, I have embraced a wide range of experience in education from teaching a variety of grade levels, being a division learning coach for literacy and numeracy, being a Lead Teacher for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Support Team at a division level, a vice-principal and principal. I have my masters in Educational Leadership which has extended my learning and understanding of education but is also a commitment to the ongoing work of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action in education.

I am honored to be part of the First Nation School Board as the Director of Instructional Leadership. The opportunity to embrace all Learners and reconciliation is truly a gift.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

It is so nice to meet you!

My name is Roxy and I am a second-generation immigrant to Canada from Ukrainian and German descent. I grew up on the unceded Traditional Territories of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Mississauga and Chippewa First Nations in southern Ontario.

I completed my Bachelor of Journalism and Human Rights at Carleton University, and then moved to Yukon to work as a journalist for CHON FM and eventually the Yukon News.

My husband and children are citizens of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and myself and my two children are adopted members of the Deisheetaan Clan of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

Prior to working with the First Nation School Board, I was the Director of Communications with the Yukon Government’s Department of Environment and also worked in both communications and as a Community Advisor with municipal and First Nation governments for the Department of Community Services.

I am honoured to work for FNSB to support Yukon First Nations’ genuine empowerment in the education system, and the real and meaningful success for all of our learners.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Hello! I’m Sarah Jarvis, and I am proud to be on the First Nation School Board Team! I am of Irish ancestry and was raised on the un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory in the Ottawa area.

I fell in love with the North when I began my HR career in Igloolik, Nunavut, where I worked as the Manager of Staffing and Recruitment. In 2017, I made the big move south to Whitehorse, where I spent the last six years working within the HR branch at the Department of Education, supporting partners including FNSB.

I am honoured to be the Director of Human Resources, working with board staff and educators to promote success for all learners and reconciliation throughout our schools.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Hello, I’m Jennifer (Jenn). I’m a mix of Irish and German and I grew up in Kelowna, BC, on the unceded territory of the sylix (Okanagan) people. I moved up to the Yukon for my first accounting job for two or three years, but ten years on, I have found a deep sense of belonging here and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I’m a designated CPA since 2018 and a former elementary and ESL teacher. I found my professional niche at the intersection of these two fields – making finance and accounting accessible, meaningful, and useful for informed decision making. I’ve previously worked as an audit manager and the CFO of the Na-Cho Nyak Dun Development Corporation. I’ve also taught first grade and fourth grade and have helped adults from all over the world to reach their English communication goals.

The outdoors is my happy place and the Yukon is the most beautiful place to be outside. In the summer, you’ll find me on a kayak exploring the abundance of lakes and rivers and I’m on the cross-country ski trails in the winter. When I’m not outside, you’ll usually find me working on one of my many crafting projects, from knitting and crochet to embroidery, cross-stitch and now, learning beading.

I am honored to have the chance to support the amazing work that the First Nation School Board is doing for Education in the Yukon and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it.