Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Congratulates Prime Minister Carney and Yukon MP Brendan Hanley
Last week, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney and Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley on winning the 2025 Federal Election. Before the election, VGFN sent letters to the candidates running in the Yukon electoral district outlining the five key priorities for our Nation:
- Substance use and community safety;
- Infrastructure and housing;
- Arctic sovereignty;
- Emergency planning and response; and
- Strengthening VGFN’s fiscal relationship with the Government of Canada.
VGFN also invited Prime Minister Carney and MP Hanley to visit Old Crow—the seat our government—in the near future.
Located close to the Yukon-Alaska border on the banks of the Porcupine River, Old Crow is at the heart of a vast region of rivers, lakes, mountains, forests and tundra that the Vuntut Gwitchin have called home for thousands of years.
Quotes from Chief Pauline Frost
“More than ever, we need a strong relationship with the Government of Canada, one that not only enables our governments to provide VGFN Citizens with better programs, services and opportunities, but also demonstrates how Indigenous communities across the North can help Canada become a strong and globally recognized steward of Arctic security and sustainability.”
“We would warmly welcome Prime Minister Carney and MP Hanley to visit Old Crow. This would be a chance to strengthen the relationship between our governments at a time when Canada’s Arctic regions are facing an unprecedented combination of social, economic, strategic, and climate challenges. We would be honoured to discuss the challenges our fly-in community is facing, the work we are doing
with our Citizens to meet them, and how we’re protecting our Gwich’in language and way of life so that we can continue to live well in our homeland for generations to come.”
—Chief Pauline Frost, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Media Inquiries:
Gyde Shepherd (he/him), Communications Manager
Executive Office, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
gyde.shepherd@vgfn.ca | (613) 804-4273
Other News Releases and Statements
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On February 23, 2026, Chief Pauline Frost of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) addressed delegates at the Our Arctic Summit in Whitehorse during a panel focused on First Nations leadership, rights, and stewardship in building a secure and sovereign Arctic.
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