There have been many significant events in Yukon’s history that have impacted gender equality. Travel back through the years with our interactive timeline to see where we’ve come from and now, where we’re going.
NDP MLA Margaret Commodore (formerly Margaret Joe) of B.C.'s Sto:lo Nation named Minister of Health and Human Resources.
NDP MLA Margaret Commodore (formerly Margaret Joe, far right) of B.C.'s Sto:lo Nation named Minister of Health and Human Resources.
Photo credit:
Government of Yukon
Set up to address the barriers to advancement of women managers. A Report on Affirmative Action in the Yukon Government recommends creating a sub-committee of women employees in government (WIG).
EMPOWERING FIRST NATIONS WOMEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Yukon Indian Women's Association develops the Dene Nets'et'edan project to empower rural First Nations women to pursue personal and community economic development.
The Women's Directorate works with the Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre to commemorate the tragic deaths of 14 young women killed at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in December.
Sponsored by various Yukon women's groups and organizations on March 8, International Women's Day, to celebrate the achievements of Yukon women. Later changed to coincide with Persons Day on October 18.
Set up by the Public Service Commission to promote equitable participation and remove employment barriers for women, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities within government.
Allows young people who are pregnant or parenting to continue their education, offers academic, pre-natal, post-natal and parenting education, and provides daycare for infants and toddlers of student parents.
OUR LAND, TOO: WOMEN OF CANADA AND THE NORTHWEST, 1860–1914
Supplementary Grade 10 history text is distributed to Yukon high schools, highlighting women's contributions to society. Written by Carolyn Moore and Karen Jean Braun.
REFORM OF THE LAW OF INTOXICATION: A FIRST NATIONS WOMEN'S ANALYSIS
Corinne McKay, a First Nations law student, researched and wrote the analysis. It used by national women's groups to persuade the Federal Minister of Justice to take action to negate the Daviault decision that accepted intoxication as a defence to sexual assault.
FIRST LAND CLAIMS AND SELF-GOVERNMENT TRAINING FOR ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Workshop hosted by the Women's Directorate supported First Nations women in their interest to participate in the ongoing implementation of land claims and self-governance.
The Women's Directorate worked in collaboration with Sports and Recreation to address gender and harrassment in sports, through changes to Government of Yukon Community and Transportation Services's Yukon 2000 report.
The organization organizes concerts, workshops and fund raising events, and provides networking opportunities for Yukon women in music. Nicole Edwards speaks about mentorship
YUKON GOVERNMENT AMENDS THE LIMITATION OF ACTIONS ACT
Amendments recognize the need for healing of survivors of sexual abuse and remove time restrictions on legal action. Amendments also apply to minors who suffered sexual abuse or sexual misconduct in childhood.
A non-profit, charitable, Aboriginal organization that provides social development services to the Kaska Nation in Yukon and northern British Columbia.
Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre sets up program to support and advocate for women navigating social and legal systems related to areas such as child protection, housing, and intimate partner violence.
Lists places in Whitehorse to access free or low-cost goods and services (including food, clothing, shelter, support, job-training, and counseling). Now published by the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition.
Prohibits discrimination based on source of income when seeking accommodation, applying for work, using a public facility, or accessing a public service.
Administered through Sport Yukon, the fund provides lower-income families in Yukon with children aged 0 to 18 years an opportunity to participate in sport and recreational activities.
FIVE OF THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT POSITIONS IN YUKON HELD BY WOMEN
The five positions are Commissioner Judy Gingell; Member of Parliament Louise Hardy; federal Senator Ione Christensen; Whitehorse Mayor Kathy Watson; and Yukon Premier Pat Duncan. The sixth position, that of Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, was previously held by Judy Gingell.
GATHERING HELD FOR YUKON WOMEN ON HOW MINING AFFECTS COMMUNITIES
A two-day gathering, Gaining Ground: Women, Mining and the Environment, brings Yukon women together to discuss the impact of mining on communities, families, and the environment, and strategies for positive social change. Organized by the Yukon Status of Women Council and the Yukon Conservation Society.
The campaign, which runs in late November, invites Yukon government employees to donate basic supplies to all women’s shelters for women fleeing violence.
Six A Cappella North 2 bulletins explore topics such as alcohol and drug use, sexual assault, First Nations youth, education, active living and health, and equality.
FIRST YUKON FRANCOPHONE JOURNAL ON CHILD CARE PUBLISHED
Le Nombril, an annual perinatal and early childhood journal, is published for Canadian francophone families by Les EssentiElles, a Yukon organization for francophone women.
"Girls Night Out", a volunteer-led initiative in Faro, is developed to encourage general wellness and provide support for healthy development of girls ages 11-17 in Faro.
REPORT RELEASED ON MISSING AND MURDERED ABORIGINAL WOMEN AND GIRLS ACROSS CANADA
Voices of Our Sisters In Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities, published by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, identifies 520 known Canadian cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.
MONTHLY SUPPORT MEETINGS ON GENDER IDENTITY AND SEX ORIENTATION ISSUES
PFLAG Whitehorse (a chapter of PFLAG Canada) holds monthly meetings for anyone struggling with sexual orientation and gender identity questions, either in themselves or with a friend or family member.
RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN ELECTED TO YUKON LEGISLATURE
Nearly 32% of seats in the legislature are captured by women (the highest on record in Yukon). The NDP caucus is made up of 67% women. The party becomes the first with official party status in Canada to be made up of over 50% women.
POLICY ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY ESTABLISHED FOR YUKON SCHOOLS
In September the Yukon Department of Education adopts the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy. It requires schools to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for all students.
The Yukon Status of Women Council organizes a reproductive health symposium with therapist Sarah Thompson from Alberta to talk to vulnerable Yukoners about reproductive choice (such as birth control and abortion).
The complex, named after Betty Sjodin, a Gwich’in Elder who has worked for the Yukon women’s Transition Home Society for over 30 years, offers second-stage housing to women who have experienced violence.
WORKSHOPS FOR MEN AND BOYS TO STAND UP TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Les EssentiElles receives funding from Status of Women Canada to assess violence against Yukon women and create workshops that engage men and boys to resist violence against women. The workshops, taught by White Ribbon Yukon volunteers, are offered in high schools across Yukon until March 2015.
Offered by Les EssentiElles, the presentation includes panel discussions, school activities, and movie screenings. The project includes a set of posters on consent law and a radio show discussing consent.
RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX PARENTS ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES
The Yukon government amends the Vital Statistics Act to recognize same-sex parents on birth certificates. Previously, only the biological parent in a same-sex relationship could be listed on the birth certificate.
PASSING OF A MOTION TO AMEND THE YUKON HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
In May 2015 the Yukon Legislative Assembly passes a motion to amend the Yukon Human Rights Act to explicitly protect the rights of transgender, transsexual and trans-variant citizens.
On June 23rd close to 100 supporters, including officials from all levels of government gathered to see the first ever transgender flag raised on a municiple flag pole in Yukon.