Latest news with #PeterJohnston
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
AFN Yukon and CYFN chief positions set to be consolidated this year
According to a statement from the Council of Yukon First Nations, effective Oct. 1, 2025 the positions of Grand Chief and AFN Yukon Regional Chief will be merged into one. The consolidation comes out of resolutions made by Yukon First Nation chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Chiefs Summit on May 21 and 22, as well as a May 30 Council of Yukon First Nations Leadership meeting. 'The new model is intended to streamline governance, reduce duplication, and strengthen national and political advocacy grounded in the shared priority of all 14 Yukon First Nations,' reads the statement. The consolidation was being discussed since spring 2024, reads the statement. Chiefs arrived at the consensus to consolidate the two positions into a 'unified Grand Chief model' after a substantive review process and much discussion, per the statement. CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston is quoted as saying that the decision will help unify efforts and advance the interests of all Yukon First Nations. AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek is quoted in the release as saying that the new model will allow for stronger advocacy. It will ensure 'that Yukon First Nations are not only heard, but are leading the conversation both regionally and nationally,' per Adamek. Elections for the new Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief will be held on June 25 at the CYFN general assembly meeting in Teslin. Five candidates are currently in the running for the position: former Kluane First Nation Chief Math'ieya Alatini, current Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Pauline Frost, former Carcross Tagish First Nation councillor Rose Sellars, former CYFN Grand Chief Ed Schultz and former Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Steve Smith. Whoever ends up winning the election will assume the duties and responsibilities formerly held by the AFN Regional Chief, per the statement. The new grand chief will also be responsible for a 'regional mandate review to assess how Yukon First Nations are currently supported,' reads the statement. The CYFN constitution will have to be amended, and the proposed changes to the constitution will be presented at the CYFN general assembly, ensuring all 14 Yukon First Nations will have voting rights. Financial resources, authority and responsibilities associated with the AFN Yukon Regional Chief will also be transferred to the CYFN. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Council of Yukon First Nations, AFN to combine leadership roles into 1
Change aims to 'streamline governance, reduce duplication and strengthen national and political advocacy' Yukon First Nations have decided to unify a couple of regional leadership roles into one — meaning the next grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) will have some new responsibilities. Starting in October, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will no longer have a Yukon regional chief who's independent of CYFN. That person's duties and responsibilities will be taken up by the next CYFN grand chief. The two organizations began discussing the idea since last year and both passed resolutions last month to make it happen. The goal, according to a joint news release on Wednesday, is to "streamline governance, reduce duplication and strengthen national and political advocacy grounded in the shared priorities of all 14 Yukon First Nations." Currently, Yukon is represented at the AFN — an Ottawa-based national advocacy group — by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, who has served in that role since 2018. CYFN is a non-profit political organization based in the territory that represents and advocates for Yukon First Nations, with the grand chief serving as the main political spokesperson. Peter Johnston has held that role since 2016 and has said he won't be running for another term. Image | Peter Johnston and Kluane Adamek Caption: Peter Johnson, grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, left, and Kluane Adamek, regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, in 2019. (Steve Silva/CBC) Open Image in New Tab Under the new model, the CYFN grand chief will now represent Yukon First Nations at AFN executive meetings. However, that person "will not lead an AFN portfolio or sit on the AFN corporate board without a direct mandate from Yukon First Nations," reads Wednesday's news release. "This approach reflects a made-in-Yukon solution — directed by all 14 Chiefs — that aligns with regional governance realities while maintaining a strategic national presence." The next grand chief of CYFN will be elected this month. They would take on the new AFN-related responsibilities as of Oct. 1. In a written statement, Johnston called the change "a significant step forward in unifying our effort and advancing the interests of all Yukon First Nations." Adamek also touted the decision as a way to ensure Yukon First Nations have a stronger voice through "co-ordinated advocacy." "This is about amplifying the collective voices of all Yukon First Nations in a way that reflects who we are: united, visionary and rooted in our values," she said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council of Yukon First Nations, AFN to combine leadership roles into 1
Yukon First Nations have decided to unify a couple of regional leadership roles into one — meaning the next grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) will have some new responsibilities. Starting in October, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will no longer have a Yukon regional chief who's independent of CYFN. That person's duties and responsibilities will be taken up by the next CYFN grand chief. The two organizations began discussing the idea since last year and both passed resolutions last month to make it happen. The goal, according to a joint news release on Wednesday, is to "streamline governance, reduce duplication and strengthen national and political advocacy grounded in the shared priorities of all 14 Yukon First Nations." Currently, Yukon is represented at the AFN — an Ottawa-based national advocacy group — by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, who has served in that role since 2018. CYFN is a non-profit political organization based in the territory that represents and advocates for Yukon First Nations, with the grand chief serving as the main political spokesperson. Peter Johnston has held that role since 2016 and has said he won't be running for another term. Under the new model, the CYFN grand chief will now represent Yukon First Nations at AFN executive meetings. However, that person "will not lead an AFN portfolio or sit on the AFN corporate board without a direct mandate from Yukon First Nations," reads Wednesday's news release. "This approach reflects a made-in-Yukon solution — directed by all 14 Chiefs — that aligns with regional governance realities while maintaining a strategic national presence." The next grand chief of CYFN will be elected this month. They would take on the new AFN-related responsibilities as of Oct. 1. In a written statement, Johnston called the change "a significant step forward in unifying our effort and advancing the interests of all Yukon First Nations." Adamek also touted the decision as a way to ensure Yukon First Nations have a stronger voice through "co-ordinated advocacy." "This is about amplifying the collective voices of all Yukon First Nations in a way that reflects who we are: united, visionary and rooted in our values," she said.
Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Council vehicles still fuelled by used cooking oil from takeaways despite test equipment theft
A council has agreed to continue with a trial that sees used cooking oil fuel its vehicles after equipment was stolen during a break-in. The burglary at a Mid and East Antrim Council depot resulted in the theft of testing equipment containing trial data. However, councillors have agreed to continue with their trial of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in a further three vehicles. To date, 11,800 litres of HVO fuel have been used in the trial involving six council vehicles during the initial testing phase. This started last October but was halted temporarily following the break-in. The report states that emissions from council vehicles contribute to a quarter of the local authority's carbon footprint. By fully adopting HVO as an alternative fuel, it is anticipated the council could reduce the amount of carbon its fleet produces by up to 90%. The HVO is produced from used cooking oil collected from fast food outlets. It can be fully blended with diesel and requires no modifications to diesel engines. It has been estimated the council's vehicle emissions could be reduced overall from 1,733 tonnes annually to 132 tonnes. However, the council's annual fleet fuel bill could rise from £790,000 to around £898,000. Speaking at the meeting, DUP councillor Peter Johnston said: 'For us as a council, value for money is a big consideration. It is positive to note that the cost of fuel is coming down.' Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs said it was 'right that we should continue with the trial'. Alliance's Aaron Skinner said: 'Trials like this are what we have to be doing. It is good to see this coming forward. In terms of energy security, it is good to see.' Shaun Morley, the council's operations director, stated: 'Technology has moved on quite a bit. Engines are much more resilient.' Mid and East Antrim Borough Council owns 260 vehicles worth £3.2m, councillors have been told. A previous report said the fleet consists of bin lorries, vans, heavy goods vehicles, trailers, tractors, quads and excavators. With the exception of four small electric vans, the fleet is diesel-powered.
Reuters
06-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Australian Open warm-up event to return after turmoil at Kooyong
MELBOURNE, March 6 (Reuters) - The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club will again host its storied exhibition event in Melbourne to give the world's leading tennis players another warm-up option before the Australian Open. The Kooyong Classic was missing from the tennis calendar in January after the club pulled out of running it last year amid financial turmoil and a member-led revolt against management. With a new media partner and a broadcast deal with Australia's SBS in place, however, the invitational event will go ahead next year from January 13-15 at the former home of the Australian Open. Long-time tournament director Peter Johnston said the reversion to a promoter model had helped persuade private backers to get on board. "That's enabled us to put it on," he told Reuters on Thursday. "So we've got SBS back and we're signing a few different deals for international broadcast rights and some sponsorship rights. "And we're starting to make progress again." The tournament has had its challenges, having disappeared from the calendar for three years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the club in Melbourne's leafy eastern suburbs was rocked by an external audit which blamed poor financial management and reporting for a A$2.4 million ($1.52 million) loss from dining and functions operations, and an overall loss of nearly A$1 million. The club's long-serving CEO departed and angry members tossed out a number of board directors at its annual general meeting. Though the losses had nothing to do with the Kooyong Classic, the club's commitment to running the tournament was tested in the environment. "The club really had a look at what is essential as a membership club," said Johnston. "It wanted to doubly focus on club-related activities." The club is now under new management and glad to leave the promotions work for the Kooyong Classic to Spain-based media company Mediapro. In its hey-day a couple of decades ago the Classic was a treat for tennis fans, with Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick claiming winner's trophies before starting their Australian Open tilts at Melbourne Park. In recent times, its prestige has dimmed as other Australian Open warm-up tournaments have emerged in Asia. Often hit by player pull-outs, Kooyong's loose format is anathema to tennis purists looking for proper contests and worthy champions. And yet top players still enjoy turning up, often with little notice, to slot in for a match or two. World number one Jannik Sinner played a couple of matches at Kooyong in 2024 on the way to winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. No players have signed up for 2026 yet but Johnston is confident there will be a few big names. "I think they gravitate towards being able to play at a beautiful club, at a historic stadium, maybe get a little away from the cauldron in Melbourne Park for a period of time to play their matches," said Johnston. "We had a lot of feedback from players who were a bit surprised when it wasn't on last January. "That really made us confident that we can create a great player field." ($1 = 1.5778 Australian dollars)
