Chief and Council Spotlight — June 23-26

CAFN Spotlight | Advancing Priorities Together – From Duke Meadow to Äshèyi

Over the past weeks, Chief Joe and CAFN Council have been steadily advancing CAFN priorities – from meetings with federal Ministers at Yukon Days in Ottawa, to intergovernmental work here at home, and now at the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) 46th Annual General Assembly from June 23-25^th at Duke Meadow (Jedälį T’läw Käy).

Agenda items show how the work we report on over time is interconnected: what begins in places like Ottawa boardrooms continues in gatherings on the land and then flows back into Chief and Council decisions for CAFN. The agenda at CYFN’s GA included:

• Energy and Hydropower – through the Chiefs Committee on Energy, which ties directly to the Hydro 4 discussions and broader energy work begun at Yukon Days;
• Health and Wellness – updates from the Chiefs Committee on Health, building on earlier joint advocacy about health as a top Yukon-wide priority;
• Education – reports from the Chiefs Committee on Education, supporting long-term work to improve opportunities for CAFN youth and lifelong learners;
• Mining and Land Stewardship – through the Chiefs Committee on Mining, where leaders work together to uphold our rights and protect our lands and waters; and
• Residential School Missing Children Project – powerful updates on the Yukon Residential School Missing Children Project, honouring Survivors, families, and our responsibility to truth and healing.

For CAFN, Chief Joe’s participation at Duke Meadow helps keep our work moving forward in collaboration with other Yukon First Nations and governments.

Save the Date – Äshèyi Gathering & Camp | July 3–7, 2026: Next week, CAFN Citizens and leadership will gather at Äshèyi Män (Aishihik Lake) for the Äshèyi Gathering & Camp – reconnecting with Äshèyi, our people, and the land through culture, ceremony, language, and story, and welcoming government and utility partners on July 4.

Mark your calendars: July 3–7, 2026 at Äshèyi – strengthening our connections and planning community projects for the future.