Yukon College, First Nations develop online course, First Nations 101

Yukon College has teamed up with territory's First Nations to make acourse on Yukonaboriginal history and culture more widely available.

"Yukon First Nations 101" is already a mandatory program for students atYukon College; anew online version is aimed at businesses, non-governmental organizations and other interested Yukoners.

"Ithink there is an explosion of interest in this area," said Joanne Lewis, of the College's Northern Institute for Social Justice, which is delivering the program.

Lewis saidthe Truth and Reconciliation Commission's work has helped build momentum. She saidmore businesses and organizations are recognizing the importance of building good relationships with First Nations communities, customers and clients.

"This is something they want to have their executives and the people in leadership positions in theirorganization start to take, so we're working with them," she said.

Ruth Massie, Grand Chief of theCouncil of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), hasrecommended the program as a "starting pointto understanding our history and our story in the Yukon."

The online course is organized into five modules, each focused on a different aspect of Yukon First Nations history, heritage and culture; governance; residential schools; contemporary topics; and world views.

The course is available to any businesses or service providers at a cost of $90 per person. Lewis said the first corporate client has already signed up Northwestel.

"What we're hearing generally, and what we're sensing in the last twoor threeyears, is an interest in knowing more about the environment in which people live and work," she said.