Judy Gingell

Judy was born on her grandparents’ trapline at Moose Lake, south of Whitehorse, Yukon. For more than 40 years, Judy has promoted and advanced Aboriginal rights and governance in the Yukon. As Chair of the Council of Yukon First Nations, she was instrumental in self-governance and land claims negotiation with the Government of Canada. In 1995, Prime Minister Jean Chretien named her Commissioner for the Yukon Territory, the first native person appointed to the position. Judy is renowned for her ability to build bridges between peoples, notably by raising awareness of First Nations culture by creating the annual Commissioner’s Potlatch. As a leader and elder of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, she has ensured that First Nations communities are key players in the territorial economy.

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EXPERIENCE

ELDER ADVISOR AND CONSULTANT (CURRENT) Chair First Nation General Assemblies; various speaking engagements, including Walrus Talks 2017; Elder advisor for cultural awareness activities including the Blanket Exercise.

 

EXECUTIVE ELDER, KWANLIN DUN FIRST NATION, WHITEHORSE, YUKON (APRIL 2010 TO 2017) Under the KDFN Constitution the Elder Council appoints the Executive Elder for a three year term and the Elder Council may give advice and guidance to enhancing and protecting KDFN traditions, customs and laws; programs and services to meet the needs of Elders; disputes within or regarding the KDFN and any other matters; sit as a non-voting member of the Council.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KLUANE FIRST NATION, BURWASH LANDING, YT (2006 – 2008) Under the direction of and reporting to Chief and Council, this position responsible for administering, development planning and managing operations of Self Governing First Nations, recommending policies and changes, supervision of 30 staff members.

 

PRESIDENT/CEO, KWANLIN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WHITEHORSE, YUKON (2001 – 2008) Under the direction of and reporting to the Kwanlin Development Corporation Board of Directors, this position is responsible for managing all aspects of KDC including the development and implementation of: long and short-term corporate strategies; long and short-term investment strategies; an effective, efficient and economical financial accountability and reporting system; and, personnel policies and procedures with respect to recruitment, training and development of all personnel. The position investigates and pursues investment opportunities including development of business plans and strategies for financing and operations of any such acquisitions. This position is responsible for monitoring all investments, including investments in subsidiary companies and supervision of the managers of such entities.

 

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SKOOKUM JIM FRIENDSHIP CENTRE, WHITEHORSE, YUKON JANUARY (SEPTEMBER 2001) Under the direction of and reporting to the Board of Directors administering, development, planning and managing operations of cultural activities of the Friendship Centre; recommending policy changes; supervision of 15 staff members.

 

COMMISSIONER, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, WHITEHORSE, YUKON JUNE (1995-2000) The Yukon Act provides for a Commissioner as head of government and for a legislature body. The Government Organization Act gives the responsibility for directing the Commissioner in the territory’s administration to the federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Governor-in-Council. Other duties are similar to those of a provincial Lieutenant Governor.

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CHAIR, COUNCIL FOR YUKON INDIANS, WHITEHORSE, YUKON (JUNE 1989 - JUNE 1995) Under direction of the 14 Yukon First Nations’ General Assembly and the Leadership Board (Yukon First Nation Chiefs), this elected position is responsible for finalizing the Yukon Land Claims and the overall political, social and economic direction of the Yukon First Nation central authority.

 

PRESIDENT, YUKON INDIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WHITEHORSE, YUKON (JAN. 1984 - JUNE 1989 AND 2001) Appointed by the Board of Directors, this position is responsible for the overall successful business operations of this company, its subsidiaries and sister companies. During 1988, was seconded to the Tagish Kwan Corporation to complete the 1987/88-construction program and to reorganize the corporation.

 

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, VICE-CHAIR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COUNCIL FOR YUKON INDIANS (1983 – 1984) Administering, development planning and coordinating the activities of the department; advising the Vice-Chair on a issues affecting economic development in the Yukon; recommending policy changes; supervision of 4 staff members; liaising between CYI, First Nations, governments and private agencies.

 

VICE-CHAIR, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, COUNCIL FOR YUKON INDIANS (1977 – 1982) Under the direction of the Yukon First Nation General Assembly and Leadership Board, this elected position was responsible for key financial and administrative functions.

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EDUCATION

- Leadership Training Seminar (Yukon Vocational Technical Training Centre)

- Bookkeeping (Yukon Vocational Technical Training Centre)

- Leadership Training Seminars (Yukon Indian Women’s Association)

- Management Training Courses (Kutchin General Store)

- Band Manager Training Course (INAC, BC/Yukon region)

- Finance and Administration Courses (Council for Yukon Indians)

- Business Communication Skills (Yukon College)

- Business Seminars (Federal Business Development Bank)

- Administrative Justice for Decision Makers 1 & 2 (Yukon College)

- Advanced Decision Writing (Yukon College)

 

AWARDS

- Commissioner of Yukon (Volunteer Service) – 2001

- National Aboriginal Achievement Awards – 2005

- Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubilee Medal – 2012

- Order of Canada – 2013

 

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

- Aboriginal Peoples Television Network - current

- Yukon College Board of Governance - current

- Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon - current

- Skookum Jim Friendship Centre - current

- Kwanlin Dun Cultural Society – current

- Yukon First Nation Cultural & Tourism Society - current

 

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

- Prospectors and Developers Association Conference Toronto (2018)

- Walrus Talks (2017)

- Revisioning Justice Conference (2017)

- Aboriginal Leadership Conference (2017)

- Yukon Forum (2017)

- Yukon First Nations Resource Conference (2015)

 

ELDER ADVISORY ACTIVITIES

- First Nation Engagement and Consultation Guidebook for Proponents of Mineral Exploration (2017)

- Nacho Nyak Dun – Elder Advisor – Heritage and Culture (2017/18)

- Federal Public Servants Reconciliation Event (2017)