Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow – 50th anniversary speaker series
On February 14, 1973, Elijah Smith and Yukon First Nation leaders presented Together Today for our Children Tomorrow to then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. This ground-breaking visionary document became the basis for negotiating Yukon First Nations land claims agreements in the Yukon.
In February 2023, the Council of Yukon First Nations hosted a Potlatch celebrating the 50th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. Part of the week-long celebrations included a daily speaker series featuring Indigenous local leaders in discussions with Grand Chief Peter Johnston.
Over 5 days, various speakers shared their experiences and perspectives on the themes of economic development, language and land, education and governance as it relates to Yukon First Nations. The series also features champions of Yukon First Nations self-government discussing and exploring the vision and foundations that led to Final and Self-government Agreements.
There are 19 videos in this series ranging in length from 20 to 60 minutes.
Our Resources
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary series: Judy Gingell and Adeline Webber
Judy Gingell and Adeline Webber speak about their experiences and involvement in negotiations of land claim agreements and self-government. The theme for day 1 of the speaker series was on The People Behind the Movement.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Chief Steve Smith
Chief Steve Smith speaks about his experiences and involvement in negotiations of land claim agreements and self-government. The theme for day 1 of the speaker series was on The People Behind the Movement.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Gerald Isaac
Gerald Isaac speaks about his experiences and involvement in negotiations of land claim agreements and self-government. The theme for day 1 of the speaker series was on The People Behind the Movement.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Gina Nagano
Gina Nagano speaks about her experiences as an Indigenous entrepreneur and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 2 of the speaker series was Economic Development.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Natasha Peter
Natasha Peter speaks about her experiences as an Indigenous entrepreneur and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 2 of the speaker series was Economic Development.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Jay Massie
Jay Massie speaks about his experiences as an Indigenous entrepreneur and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 2 of the speaker series was Economic Development.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Bill Webber
Bill Webber speaks about his experiences as the former President of the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians (YANSI). The theme for day 2 of the speaker series was Economic Development.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Shirley Adamson
Shirley Adamson shares her thoughts and experiences related to importance of language and land to Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon. The theme for day 3 of the speaker series was Language and Land. It is with great reverence that we honour Shirley Adamson’s legacy.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary series: Stanley Njootli Sr + Norma Kassi
Stanley Njootli Sr. and Norma Kassi share their thoughts and experiences related to importance of language and land to Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon. The theme for day 3 of the speaker series was Language and Land.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Brandon Kyikavichik
Brandon Kyikavichik shares his thoughts and experiences related to importance of language and land to Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon. The theme for day 3 of the speaker series was Language and Land.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: James Allen
James Allen shares his thoughts and experiences on the importance of education for Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 4 of the speaker series was Education.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Melanie Bennett
Melanie Bennett shares her thoughts and experiences on the importance of education for Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 4 of the speaker series was Education.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Erin Pauls
Erin Pauls shares her thoughts and experiences on the importance of education for Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 4 of the speaker series was Education.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Mary Jane Johnson
Mary Jane Johnson shares her thoughts and experiences on the importance of education for Indigenous Peoples in the Yukon and how it relates to self-government. The theme for day 4 of the speaker series was Education.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Robin Bradasch
Robin Bradasch shares her thoughts and experiences with Indigenous governance. The theme for day 5 of the speaker series was Governance: Control and Responsibility.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Daryn Leas
Daryn Leas shares his thoughts and experiences with Indigenous governance. The theme for day 5 of the speaker series was Governance: Control and Responsibility.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Margaret Commodore
Margaret Commodore shares her thoughts and experiences with Indigenous governance. The theme for day 5 of the speaker series was Governance: Control and Responsibility.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Dave Joe
Dave Joe shares his thoughts and experiences with Indigenous governance. The theme for day 5 of the speaker series was Governance: Control and Responsibility.
Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 50th anniversary speaker series: Patty Hajdu
Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patti Hajdu speaks about her personal experiences and her role and involvement as a federal government Minister related to Indigenous matters. Minister Hajdu participated in day 1 of the speaker series.