LAND AND LANGUAGE LEAD

Yak’éi ixwsateení.

Dleit káa x’éináx Tricia Johnson-Drapeau yóo xat duwasáakw.

Lingít x’éináx Sekí yóo xat duwasáakw.

I am of Dakká Tlingit/Tagish kwáan ancestry from the Dakl’aweidi clan, and I am a citizen of Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

I bring 14 years of experience working in government across a variety of roles, which has given me a strong foundation in public service and collaboration.

Outside of work, I’m married and the parent of three sons — two adults and a 10-year-old. 

Over the past few years, I’ve been deeply engaged in learning the Tlingit language and reclaiming my ancestral roots, which is something I’m very passionate about.

I love connecting with the land through gardening and spending time near or on the water, especially paddle boarding, which brings me a lot of joy.

I am honoured to be part of the First Nation School Board as the Land and Language Lead, and I am excited to work with our communities and staff.

Gunalchéesh,

Tricia/Sekí

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
OLD CROW

Charyl’s life’s work is to promote Gwich’in language and culture among her people.

Growing up in Fort McPherson, she attended high school in Inuvik and Whitehorse, and post-secondary at Yukon College, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Red Deer College.

Charyl later moved to Old Crow to raise her family in a traditional Gwich’in way.

She served many years in the community as both the Education Director for Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and as an Educational Assistant and Education Support Worker at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School.

She has also been a member of the Teechik Dancers, performing Gwich’in dances at various venues.

Charyl believes that schools and communities need to work hand in hand with youth and to listen to their needs for Learners to achieve strong educational outcomes.

The connection to culture, language, tradition and community plays an integral role in developing well-respected individuals who are strong in their identity.

As the Land and Language Connector for Old Crow, Charyl continues to connect with Elders and Knowledge Holders to support language revitalization and share traditional knowledge and culture.

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
BEAVER CREEK

I am married to David Johnny Sr., and we have four biological children, five traditionally adopted children, 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

I am originally from Northway, Alaska, where I was raised by my grandmother and with the help of other grandmothers and grandfathers.

I was raised knowing my language, culture and history, and I spent many hours with Elders of the community.

I was born to Martha (Northway) and Andrew Sam, and I am the youngest of 10 children.

My grandparents are Walter and Lilly (John) Northway and Chief and Bessie (Enoch) Sam.

I graduated from Walter Northway High School in 1984 and moved to Canada, where I still live, in 1985.

I worked in many departments with White River First Nation until 2010.

I enrolled at Yukon College to study language teacher certification in 2007.

I taught at Nelnah Bessie John School until I retired in 2022, and left language-teaching to an individual I was mentoring at the school, who is still taking courses at Yukon University.

I also assist my husband with on-the-land teachings to whoever wants to learn (mostly children).

I also assist teachers in Alaska with language upon request. I have also assisted Doyon Ltd. in Alaska with language recordings of my language.

I love being on the land with my husband and family, and I continue to teach my grandchildren the tradition and culture of mine and my husband’s ways of life.

I am the First Nation School Board’s Land and Language Connector in Beaver Creek!

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
WHITEHORSE

Hi! My name is Kailen Gingell. I am a Kwanlin Dun First Nation citizen of the wolf clan. I have also been culturally adopted by the Daklaweidi killer whale clan to represent my Tlingit roots. I was born and raised in Whitehorse, but spent 6 years in Victoria, BC to complete my degree in Art History & Visual Studies at the University of Victoria.

I have extensive experience working with First Nations artists, through both organizing workshops and setting up art exhibitions. In my schooling, I focussed on Indigenous art from the North, the Northwest Coast, and the American Southwest. I have had the privilege to work very closely with some of the Yukon’s best artists, and I cherish the relationships I have been able to build over the years.

When not working, I enjoy any opportunity to get out on the land, especially near streams, rivers, and the coast. I spend much of my time practicing photography and shooting video. I also like to work on my art, primarily focusing on studying works from the Northwest Coast and dabbling in printmaking, design, and other visual arts. I am a huge chess fan and have been slowly improving over the last year. I am also a huge geography nerd and like to spend time researching new places to visit and learning about other cultures and places.

Through guidance from my Elders and peers, I look forward to helping bring Land and Language into the forefront of our education systems here in the Yukon.

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
WHITEHORSE

Hello! I'm Jessica Gatensby (maiden name Jacobs), wife of Jeremiah Gatensby from Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

We have three wonderful children: Oliver, Cameron, and Ava. My parents are Teresa and Joel Jacobs, and my grandparents are Frank and Rose Billy.

I come from the Lake Leberge People on the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council’s Traditional Territory, with teachings from Ta’an Kwäch’än Knowledge Keepers.

I'm the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Jim Boss, and I am a member of the Crow Clan of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

I've learned traditional ways from Knowledge Keepers in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) and southern Ontario's Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit.

Raised with cultural teachings, I have certifications in whitewater rescue and fisheries, and I've worked as the cultural support worker for the Council of Yukon First Nations.

I've shared my culture in schools and at community events, including winning the 2024 Yukon Rendezvous competition and holding the title of Reigning Rendezvous Queen.

My previous work in Justice has given me the ability to work without judgment and with compassion. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life, helping them deal with various situations that arise.

I'm looking forward to collaborating with an inspiring team to integrate culture and language into FNSB schools in Whitehorse.

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
DAKWÄKÄDA (HAINES JUNCTION)

Hello, my name is Dakalama (Tracy Kane).

I live in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction).

Ajesadla Katsa dan Ku First Nation School Board ichi. (I am the Land and Language Connector for St Elias Community School).

I am married to Hugh from Lhuaan Mun Keyi (Kluane), and we have two children: Gochoox (Justin) and Kwansha (Abigail).

I am of the Agunda (Wolf) Clan, and I am Southern Tutchone and Daktaweidi (Killer Whale) Alaska Tlingit. I am a citizen of Champagne Aishihik First Nations (CAFN).

I attended the University of Alberta, and I have worked for CAFN in various positions for over 25 years, always working with children, youth and education.

The connection I have to our Knowledge Keepers and cultural teachings has helped me to help others.

Dak annta je, Nanuchi (Take care of yourself, and see you soon),

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
CARCROSS

My name is Eileen Wally, and I’m a member of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

I’m a Ishkiahittaan clan member, and my emblem is the frog.

My Tlingit name is Dage. I’m a mother of two children, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

I have been an active member of our First Nation government for many years, in all different capacities.

I  have been involved in education for many years.

I was the Community Education Liaison Co-ordinator for 15 years in our school, and I sat on the school council for many years.

I think bringing our Elders and our youth together, and learning our ways is a great benefit to us all. We need each other to be a family again. 

I’m very honoured to be a part of the Land and Language Connectors’ Team, and I have great hopes of making positive changes, like having more of our language and our culture in our education – they do go hand in hand.

As a team of great people, we can make a big difference for our future generations.

Gunałchéesh!

LAND AND LANGUAGE CONNECTOR,
WATSON LAKE

Jim is the part-time Land and Language Connector at Johnson Elementary School.

He is an Elder and member of Liard First Nation (LFN). His mother is Dena from the Frances/Pelly Lakes area, and his father is Cree.

He was born and raised in Watson Lake, where his first language was Dena.

Jim’s struggles in school led him to a career of physical work in the military, and he eventually moved into law enforcement and supporting people through the court system.

Jim always had an interest in working with people who need support, and has spent time working with physically and mentally challenged people at the Whitehorse rehab centre.

In time, his mother called him to come back home to help his community with language and culture.

Jim is a culture support to LFN, and has served on LFN leadership for nine years.

Jim is aware of the gifts he was given in his culture and language when he was younger and it’s something he would like to share and give back - not only to LFN citizens but to everybody.

Jim is dedicated to ensuring support for people with learning disabilities.

He says it took years for him to understand that he simply learns in a different way, and that many people like him are restricted, because they hide in shame and embarrassment.

He says he wishes it hadn’t taken him so long to learn that, and he wants to support people like him who learn in different ways.

LANGUAGE COACH

Sha’ala uye ch’e dän k’è
Luke Campbell uye ch’e guch’än k’è
Ägunda ích’e.

Shadhęl ra ayetäw nìínje

I am a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and of the wolf clan.

I have previously worked for CAFN as an Elementary Education Support Worker in Whitehorse schools. In that position, I had the privilege of working closely with Learners, families, and school staff to facilitate Learners’ success at school.

I enjoyed doing land-based camps with youth in Kluskhu, walking älur dän tän to Hutshi, and canoeing the Takhini and Dezedeash rivers.

I have also had the honour of working as the Language Coordinator for CAFN, where I helped produce Learner resources in dän k’è (Southern Tutchone).

I spent many hours working with master speakers to record and document dän k’è, and I cherish every moment I spend with my Elders.

I understand the importance of language and culture in education, and how they go hand in hand to increase language fluency in Learners and school staff.

I am very excited to be working with Language Teachers in our schools.

I grew up between Kwänlin (Whitehorse) and Shadhęl ra.

You will find me either outside on an adventure with ádlį Kokoa, spending a weekend at chank’ùa, at a nàkwàt’à, or working on a project at home.

LAND BASED COACH

Yak’ei yagiyee.

My Tlingit name is Yáandakhin Yeił and Yeił s’ixi.

I am Kùkhhittàn (Raven Child) clan from Teslin. I am a grandchild and great-grandchild of the Dakhł’awedí (killer whale) clan.

I grew up connected to the land, fishing, hunting, and trapping with my family on the South Canol Road and in the Teslin Area.

A deep connection to place and culture has guided me through several careers and some of life’s challenges.

I was a pilot for two decades, and I am grateful for the lessons I had as a child that proved invaluable in my flying career.

I love being out with the land, and I especially love teaching and guiding trips.

I spent several years guiding trips in the Yukon and internationally. This passion for the land led to youth work and land-based experiential education.

For the last 11 years, I have worked at Yukon Education with the First Nations Initiatives branch as a First Nations Experiential Advisor.

Cultural ways of knowing, doing and being, and our languages are central to all that we do as First Nations people, and our ways are the most important part of my career in education.

I am deeply humbled to be part of the FNSB team, and I am excited to work with our communities and staff!

STUDENT VOICE CO-ORDINATOR

Hey Y'all,

I'm Angel Richards.

I was raised in a farming community in Blackfoot Territory, home to the Aapatohipiikuni, Kainai, Siksika, and Tsuut'ina Nations.

My sister Alysha and I were raised by our foster parents Shirley and Darryl Murphy, alongside their four biological children.

Being raised in small-town-Alberta, I grew up feeling a great sense of comfort and pride in community, and I consider myself very lucky to have many people I look to as secondary grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles.

After graduating from the University of Lethbridge with both my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Indigenous Education, I moved to Haíɫzaqv Territory and worked as a teacher in Bella Bella, British Columbia.

After my time in the Great Bear Rainforest, I moved to Cairo, Egypt, where I taught an array of high school humanities courses.

I am a summer girl at heart, and love all things outdoors during the warmer months – though I've been known to make a pretty rad snowman in my day. I have recently discovered a passion for travel and look forward to planning more trips soon.

I am thrilled and honored to act as the Student Voice Co-ordinator at FNSB.

Having been raised to voice my opinions and perspectives, I have a deep passion for helping students find and utilize their own voices in the many facets of their lives.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work on the diverse lands of the Yukon’s First Peoples and look forward to learning from and with all of those around me.

شكرًا, Walas Giaxsixa, Thank You!