Jeanie Dendys announced this morning she is challenging for the Liberal party nomination in the Mountainview riding currently held by Yukon Party Premier Darrell Pasloski.

Dendys used the backdrop of the leadership hockey camp being held at the Canada Games Centre, a summer hockey school she helped begin 14 years ago.

By her side were her two sons, Colin and Jedrek, both accomplished hockey players and what Dendys described as her proudest achievements.

As a resident of Long Lake Road in the Riverdale North riding, the director of justice for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation said she’s quite familiar with the Mountainview riding and the issues there, having worked there for the past seven years.

“I am extremely excited about it,” Dendys said of first crack at territorial politics.

“I am very, very confident. This is a big decision for me. It’s life-changing.”

Dendys declined to get into a discussion regarding Pasloski nor NDP candidate Shaunagh Steikman. She said she was first of all concentrating on winning the nomination next week.

Former city councillor Mike Gladish has also put his name forward. The nomination meeting is scheduled for Aug. 2.

While the premier has not officially announced his intention to seek re-election, he is fully expected to as the leader of his party for the past five years.

Dendys said as the director of justice for the First Nation, one of her greatest achievements has been her leading involvement with the development of a land-based healing camp at Jackson Lake, and the associated program development.

In her years as director, she pointed out, the First Nation has also signed a child welfare agreement with the Yukon government.

“Safety issues are very important to me working at Kwanlin Dün, and I am proud of that,” said Dendys.

She brings to the table 25 years of working in the field of justice and mental health for all levels of government.

Of Talhtan First Nation and Norwegian ancestry, Dendys was born and raised in Whitehorse.

Also in her corner this morning was Ranj Pillai, the Liberal nominee for Porter Creek South.

He was among those who helped start the hockey camp 14 ago, and eventually turned it into the Learning to Lead Hockey Camp.

Dendys proudly pointed out that Brigette Lacquette of Team Canada’s women hockey team and Boston Bruins draft pick Wacey Rabbit were instructing at the camp.

Her son Jedrek was also assisting, and quickly took off his gear this morning for a short break so he could be with his mom for her announcement.

Dendys said what she sees as a positive turn federally with the 2015 election of the federal Liberals and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was a primary factor in her decision to run for the Liberals territorially.

“The team I work with at Kwanlin Dün is an amazing community team, and I think we are doing the same thing for the Liberal party,” she said.

While she is quite familiar with the issues in the community, Dendys said, she also brings with her a broad perspective on the issues around the territory.

“Community safety and well-being are linked, and together form the focus of my work,” she said in her press release accompanying her announcement.

“I believe that working toward health, social and educational objectives creates a foundation for meaningful livelihoods for families and vibrant economic success for the territory.”