Leader's Message
Elizabeth Hanson
This is starting out as a busy and exciting year. I’m looking forward to reaching out to fellow Yukoners to join us in shaping the future for both the YNDP and Yukon as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the YNDP first forming government.
We are in the process of (re)establishing riding associations throughout the Yukon. Every opportunity to meet with people to talk about the issues that are important to them is a good building block. I invite you to consider hosting a small gathering in your home – I would be pleased to attend, just contact me at hansone4ndp@gmail.com.
On Jan. 17th I attended the Celebration of Life for Joe Johnson, former Chief of the Kluane Tribal Council. Several hundred people packed into a tent at Burwash Landing to pay their respects to a man who assumed a leadership role within his community that had an impact throughout the territory. A member of what I often refer to as “Elijah Smith’s prophets”, Joe Johnson was one of the Chiefs who took Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow to Ottawa in 1973. Thirty years later he proudly witnessed the signing of the Kluane First Nation Land Claims Agreement and Self Government Agreement.
It was humbling to hear this strong, resilient political leader described as a decent, honest man of integrity who never lost his sense of humour. Made me wish there were more political leaders like Joe Johnson.
Elizabeth Hanson
January 2010