Chief and Council Spotlight for April 27 – May 1

Justice for Anthony, Youth Leadership Academy Launch, and Climate Preparedness: This post is part of a series highlighting Chief and Council’s work to advance CAFN priorities and support the CAFN community.

Justice for Anthony: CAFN Stands with the Primozic Family: On April 28, hundreds of people joined the Primozic family in downtown Whitehorse to protest the manslaughter conviction in the killing of CAFN Citizen Anthony Primozic and to call for real change to the Yukon justice system. CAFN Chief and Council stands with the family and community, issuing a formal statement banning Seth Boss from all CAFN communities, lands, buildings, and events, and committing to continued advocacy for justice reform—including challenging intoxication as a defence in serious violent crimes and pushing for stronger protections for victims and families.

Youth Leadership Academy: Walking Our Path into the Future: This summer, CAFN youth ages 18–29 are invited to join the new Youth Leadership Academy Program (YLAP)—a paid, full-time leadership program in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) running May 25 – August 14, 2026 at $28/hour. YLAP blends wellness, culture, language, land-based learning, and practical skills like public speaking, government knowledge, and financial literacy, and finishes with a one-week trip on our traditional territory at Mush Lake. The program is designed to help youth build confidence, connect with their roots, and step into leadership roles in CAFN and beyond.

Prepared Today, Safe Tomorrow: Climate & Emergency Readiness Dinner: On April 29, CAFN hosted a community dinner at Da Kų Cultural Centre – Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) with the Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC), giving citizens a chance to learn about climate change impacts in the North and how to prepare for climate-related emergencies such as wildland fires, permafrost thaw, and floods. AAC shared knowledge grounded in thousands of years of Athabaskan experience on the land, and guests took home emergency-preparedness door prizes like go-bags, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers—reinforcing the message: prepared today, safe tomorrow.