About the Board

About us

The Board is an advisory body comprised of 12 members, six nominees of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and six nominees of the Government of Yukon (YG). The Board selects its chairperson, who the Minister of Environment formally appoints. The majority of Board members must be Yukon residents.

The composition of the Board reflects a complex and diverse set of perspectives, needs, and requirements from across the territory.

Our mandate is laid out in Chapter 16 of the UFA and directs us to address fish, wildlife, and habitat issues that affect all of Yukon. The Board uses the principle of conservation to guide its considerations and makes room for public involvement in management decisions around fish and wildlife.

The Board acts in the public interest and consolidates the best available technical, traditional, and local knowledge to make recommendations on management decisions.

The Board has the authority to make recommendations to Yukon First Nations, territorial and federal governments, and Renewable Resources Councils on all matters relating to fish and wildlife management; this includes legislation, research, policies, and programs about fish and wildlife.

We also help create Management Plans, take positions on inter-jurisdictional agreements, and make recommendations on harvest methods and allocations and the commercial use of fish and wildlife. 

Yukon people view fish and wildlife as the most precious resources in the territory. They also recognize that our collective responsibility is to provide wise stewardship for their protection. The Board works closely with First Nations Governments, Renewable Resource Councils, and the Yukon Government to provide that stewardship.

Our Board meets five times annually, and these meetings are open to the public. We strongly encourage Yukoners to follow our work on this website and to join us for our meetings if you can. The work we do and the recommendations we make are on your behalf, and we welcome your participation.

Board Members
Board Members
Board Members
Board Members

Board Members & Staff

Board Members

The YFWMB is an advisory body comprised of 12 members appointed by the Minister of Environment:

  • Six nominations by the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN)
  • Five nominations by the Government of Yukon (YG)
  • One nomination by the Government of Canada (GC)

John Burdek

Position: Board Member, CYFN nominee
Current Term: April 11, 2019 – April 10, 2024
Place of residence: Whitehorse

Ken Taylor

Position: Board Member, YG nominee
Current Term: April 18, 2023 – April 17, 2028
Place of residence: Whitehorse

Michelle Dawson-Beattie

Position: Chair, CYFN nominee
Current Term: April 11, 2019 – April 10, 2024
Place of residence: Whitehorse/ Champagne

Pearl Callaghan

Position: Board Member, CYFN nominee
Current Term: Feb 14, 2023 – Feb 13, 2028
Place of residence: Teslin

Vacant

Position: Board Member, CYFN nominee
Current Term: 
Place of residence:

Ron Chambers

Position: Board Member, GC/YG nominee
Current Term: Nov 17, 2022 – Nov 16, 2027
Place of residence: Haines Junction

Blanche Warrington

Position: Board Member, CYFN nominee
Current Term: Oct 1, 2020 – Sept 30, 2025
Place of residence: Teslin

Sebastian Jones

Position: Vice-Chair, YG nominee
Current Term: Oct 24, 2019 – Oct 23, 2024
Place of residence:  Dawson City

Dawn Kisoun

Position: Board Member, YG nominee
Current Term: Mar 24, 2020 – Mar 23, 2025
Place of residence: Dawson City

Randy Taylor

Position: Board Member, YG nominee
Current Term: Feb 14, 2023 – Feb 13, 2028
Place of residence: Tagish

Franklin Patterson

Position: Board Member, YG nominee
Current Term: Oct 24, 2019 – Oct 23, 2024
Place of residence:  Whitehorse/ Mayo

Cheyenne Bradley

Position: Board Member, CYFN nominee
Current Term: Oct 1, 2020 – Sept 30, 2025
Place of residence:  Whitehorse

Staff

Graham Van Tighem, Executive Director
867.667.5835     executivedirector@yfwmb.ca

Diane Sheldon, Office Manager
867.393.6292     officemanager@yfwmb.ca

Steven Hossack, Communications & Information Specialist
867.393.6942     communications@yfwmb.ca