NEWS RELEASE: The Council of Yukon First Nations Hosts Yukon First Nations Data Summit

By October 29, 2024News Release

WHITEHORSE – The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) is hosting the first Yukon First Nations (YFN) Data Summit. The summit welcomes over 100 participants from all Yukon First Nations to engage in discussions around their vision of First Nations data sovereignty in the Yukon.

The summit is a platform for community leaders, policymakers, front-line staff, and data specialists to explore and shape the future of Yukon First Nations data governance. Participants will attend inspiring talks from data sovereignty champions, share their knowledge about data priorities, and participate in hands-on training about data use, management, and protection. There has been an increased focus on data governance at the national and territorial levels over recent years, and this forum will provide the space for Yukon First Nations to articulate how they want to govern and assert sovereignty over their own data.

The summit will be the first of many engagement sessions aiming to understand how Yukon First Nations want to collaborate and work to advance their specific data related priorities. This initiative is guided by a Yukon First Nations Interim Governance Committee (IGC) that was appointed by Leadership and is informed by a Yukon First Nation Research and Data Working Group.

Quotes:

The Council of Yukon First Nations is proud to host the first Yukon First Nations Data Summit. For Yukon First Nations, this means starting from a foundation of Yukon First Nations culture and values and building on the vision that was set out in Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50 years ago.

– CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston

Data sovereignty is essential for self-determination, and the YFN Data Summit is a key step in our shared commitment to shape the future of Yukon First Nations’ ability to govern data about their people, lands, communities and culture. Together, we have the opportunity to ensure that our Nations have the resources, tools and knowledge to govern our data in ways that reflect our values and priorities.

– Interim Governance Committee