Darby Newnham
EDUCATION ANALYST - team lead
Darby has worked in education for most of his career. He was raised in Whitehorse and after working and travelling extensively, returned to Yukon where he lives with his family. He studied anthropology and worked with First Nations communities throughout British Columbia in the realm of heritage preservation prior to pursuing a teaching degree.
Darby lived in Pelly Crossing for several years before joining the staff at Hidden Valley Elementary School and later, Elijah Smith Elementary School. He is committed to experiential and authentic learning. He values collaborative relationships, outdoor education and cultural experiences. Darby is dedicated to his work with First Nations partnerships in order to build success for children and youth in schools and the community.
Kathleen Napier
EDUCATION ANALYST
Kathleen was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. She moved to Whitehorse in 2017 from Halifax.
Kathleen has worked in communications for more than 15 years, helping governments, industry associations and NGOs connect with citizens, members and audiences. For the past seven years, the majority of her work has centred around work with both First Nations governments and the Yukon government on engagement campaigns, educating and engaging Yukon First Nations citizens. Kathleen has a Master’s degree in Journalism, specializing in data and investigations.
Chris Stacey
EDUCATION ANALYST
Chris sometimes wonders how, as a boy growing up in Yorkshire, UK, he came to spend thirty-two years living and working in northern Canada. His sense of adventure, a curiosity about how real Canadians live, and a growing, deep-seated connection with First Nations and Inuit cultures transformed his love of the north into a life.
With his wife and three boys, he has enjoyed so many amazing experiences and close relationships with the people of Fort Albany, Pangnirtung, Atlin and Whitehorse. In these communities, he has worked as a K-12 teacher, a school principal, an education consultant, and a school superintendent for Yukon Education.
Chris loves to hike, canoe, camp, explore new places, and spend time with his family — and still holds onto a small piece of UK heritage with his love of playing soccer.
In his role of Education Analyst, Chris is driven to make a positive difference in our students’ lives. His commitment is to work closely with his teammates and our communities to ensure our students are empowered to excel in whatever path they choose.
Dana Tizya-Tramm
EDUCATION ANALYST
Dana is from Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and was the first generation born out of Old Crow in Whitehorse City. He is the son of Dietmar Tramm and Lulu Tizya, Grandson of “Old” Peter Tizya and Clara Linklater of Northern Crow Flats.
Dana has cultivated a profound understanding of organizational theory and First Nation leadership. He apprenticed under Murry Dion at the Arts Institute of Banff under a project management stream for the Our Voices Yukon First Nation youth group. Enriched by a lifetime of cultural teachings and an upbringing steeped in Yukon First Nation traditions, his perspective is shaped by his family’s intergenerational involvement in the Umbrella Final Agreement, Self-Government Agreements, and land claim processes.
Dana’s leadership journey spans over 7.5 years as a councilor and chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. His passion for youth empowerment began during my tenure as the Recreation Coordinator in Old Crow, where he directly impacted the lives of young community members. Currently, he also serves as the Chair of the First Nation School Board, he operates a strategic consultancy, and continues to contribute to national and international initiatives, working with organizations like the Assembly of First Nations.
Why YFNED? “I embrace the opportunity to disrupt colonial paradigms and redefine educational success for Yukon First Nations youth. Working at YFNED translates into direct actions that improve the lives of our young leaders. My grassroots involvement with YFNED stems from a desire to be on the frontlines, championing cultural identity and education reform to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.”
Outside of work, Dana is an “infophile,” which drives his endless curiousity, delving into the interconnected histories, institutions, and philosophies that shape our world. Outside of intellectual pursuits, he treasures moments spent with his babies and finds joy in the camaraderie of online gaming with friends after the day’s work is done.
Trades
Olivier Roy-Jauvin
trades NAVIGATOR
Olivier (Oli) is excited to be the Trades Navigator for YFNED. He looks forward to helping guide young people in their trade journey, and assisting with building projects with Yukon youth. Oli grew up in the Yukon and is a Journeyman Red Seal Carpenter. In the past, he worked for many years as a river guide, as a carpenter building houses, as well as with youth at the Youth Achievement Center. These days, Oli likes to spend his free time out on the trails running. He looks forward to meeting you.
Numeracy
Hugues Bernasconi
Math Specialist
Hugues is originally from Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He has a M.Sc in micro-engineering and is also working on an M.Sc in biology.
In addition to coming from a family of teachers, Hugues has worked as a substitute teacher for over a decade.
He has always been drawn to education despite having sometimes struggled with it as well.
Outside of work, he spends a lot of time outdoors (hunting, fishing and camping) and crafting (leather, wood, forging and metal work).
Nicolas Bochaton
Math Specialist
Nico was born in France and grew up on the shores of Lac Léman. He has a Master of Science in Environmental Science, specializing in Arctic Limnology (the study of lakes).
Previous to joining YFNED, he has worked as a land-based youth worker with Indigenous and less privileged youth through BGC Yukon, as well as a private math tutor.
He is excited for the chance to braid together traditional Indigenous knowledge and mathematics.
Outside of work, Nico is interest in ancestral technology and knowledge, including bow and arrow making, flint knapping, archery and hide tanning.
Anna Bellowits
Math advocate
Anna was born in Whitehorse and raised in Ottawa. She returned to the Yukon in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience and a Masters of Public Health.
Anna is lucky to be the daughter of an amazing teacher, and has been supporting learners with her mom since she was young. She continued tutoring high school and university math throughout her education.
Why YFNED? “I’m excited to be part of a team that works hard to fit math to learners, helps young people see themselves in their education, and builds confidence in math skills!”
Outside of work, Anna loves to spend time outside, especially skiing or paddling, or making crafts and food.
Sofia Biela
Math advocate
Sofia was born and raised in Chilliwack, BC, the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Stó:lō Coast Salish Peoples. Her family roots are in Germany and India.
After starting her Bachelor of Science degree, Sofia realized she wanted to take a break to work, travel and live abroad. She has been working with kids as a nanny, ski instructor and educational assistant.
Sofia is excited to work at YFNED because they value everything you bring to the team. She hopes to continue as a learner and to help kids connect with education in a cultural context.
Outside of work, Sofia likes to spend time with family, get outside hiking and snowboarding, and travel!
Simon Blakesley
Math advocate
Simon has lived in the Yukon for almost 30 years with his wife, Janine, and two sons, Matthew and Christopher. An unsuccessful student, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as an Aero-Engine Technician at age 16. He later returned to school and became a high school teacher.
His 31-year career spanned rural Alberta, Telegraph Creek, BC, Beaver Creek, Teslin, and Whitehorse. He retired having served as a vice-principal, principal, director, and university faculty advisor and instructor.
Along the way he completed an MA in Leadership and Training (RRU) and a PhD in Education Studies (UBC). His experiences and qualitative research lens have fostered in him a deep appreciation for cultural conceptions of leadership, rural contexts, and empathy for learners who struggle with systemic barriers. He is excited to contribute however he can to the mission and goals of YFNED.
Simon devotes much of his time to his passion for Aviation Photography, contributing to Air North, Yukon’s Airline as corporate photographer and giving back to the RCAF as a photographer in their Associate Historian program.
He takes immense pleasure learning from former students where their education and life journeys are taking them, and how, like him, they are defining and achieving success in life in ways that stretch beyond formal schooling experiences.
Alex Debruyn
Math advocate
Bio to come!
Alexander “Sander” Van Dam
Math advocate
Sander grew up in the Netherlands to Dutch and Welsh parents. He received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics.
Before joining YFNED, Sander worked as a math tutor and substitute teacher.
He says the opportunity to work under the mission of YFNED while working on numeracy is very unique.
Outside of work, Sander loves to cook, read, watch movies from all over the world, and spend time enjoying the outdoors with his partner.
Contractors
Greg Storey
POST-SECONDARY NAVIGATOR
Greg Storey is originally from Saskatchewan and his educational journey began with his father: a farmer, horseman, mechanic, welder and machine operator who was at heart a poet. His father was also a Grade 4 graduate who hated his own school experience but thrived as a learner in real life. This created a lifelong curiosity in Greg as to what constitutes an educated person and what the role of school could be.
Over the last 37 years, Greg has been a classroom teacher, alternative teacher, high school consultant, trades coordinator, high school principal, and superintendent. He has worked in all three territories over the last 29 years and prides himself on the following three highlights:
Working with staff and elders in Nunavut to create culturally-relevant high school science curriculum fusing concepts like igloo construction, geometry of the arch, and friction.
Creating partnerships to start a house-building project for high school students in Hay River as principal.
Working as the lead superintendent in the creation of the Rural Experiential Model (REM) in Yukon.
Greg is happiest when working on bringing experiential programs and learning to life for students. He says, “My dad would have loved school if it was like that. So would most First Nations Students. Let’s go!”