Yukoners of all stripes overflowed the lobby of the Yukon Government Main Administrative Building as Premier Sandy Silver and his Liberal party cabinet were sworn into the 34th legislative assembly Saturday afternoon.

The Liberal caucus was inaugurated at a ceremony late Saturday morning.

“Standing before you with my cabinet team, we have pledged to do a lot of work on your behalf,” said Silver in a speech following the taking of oaths.

“We are committed to being an ethical, responsible and accountable government for all Yukoners.”

The premier and his six-member cabinet were admitted to the legislative assembly by Commissioner Doug Phillips, with remarks by Tlingit First Nation elder Phil Gatensby and Rev. Beverley C.S. Brazier of the Whitehorse United Church.

“I haven’t been motivated to vote and support any government really, but this year I did,” said Gatensby.

“This year, something changed in me, and I thought I have to do this, I have to vote now, I have to make a change for my children and for their children and for those people that are coming behind us.”

Gatensby encouraged the audience to support the new government as they set out to make the Yukon a better place.

“I’ll be there to help you, and I’ll also be there to tell you what I don’t think is right,” Gatensby told the Liberal caucus, to laughs from the crowd.

The ceremony opened with a song and dance by The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers. Nicole Smith sang the national anthem twice, once in French and English, and a second time in Southern Tuchone.

Phillips reminded the MLAs that they are responsible to all Yukoners, not just the constituents in their respective ridings.

“Being an elected official is not for the faint-hearted,” warned Phillips, a former Yukon Party cabinet minister.

“There will always be critics, and this is what makes our democracy so wonderful.... If criticism was not allowed, we’d simply be a dictatorship.”

Silver told the audience that his government will give special consideration to the communities – “all communities matter to this government,” he said – that it will create long-term jobs and weave environmental sustainability into growing the economy.

“We are adamant that good governance in Yukon means respectful collaboration with First Nations,” said Silver, to cheers and applause.

The first session of the new legislative assembly will be held in early January, he said.

Many prominent guests came out to the legislature for the weekend ceremony. Chief Roberta Joseph of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, in Silver’s home riding of the Klondike, was in attendance.

Also there were Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations, Chief Doris Bill of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Chief Kristina Kane of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Chief Steve Smith of Champagne and Ashihik First Nations, Dawson City Mayor Wayne Potoroka and Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis.

Tracy McPhee is the new minister of Justice and Education. She said she’s excited about her portfolios and “somewhat familiar” with both of them.

“I will hopefully rise to meet those challenges and do my very best,” she said.

Jeanie Dendys, the minister of Tourism and Culture and the minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, said she’s happy with her postings and that she would gladly assist with other portfolios, where her strengths are an asset. Dendys has worked extensively with First Nations and has 26 years of experience working in justice.

Dendys said taking her oath in front of the large crowd was “humbling.”

She added that “It’s a humbling experience to be in a leadership role like this.

“There’s huge responsibilities, and I take them so seriously,” she said.

Bagpipes and drumming closed out the ceremony. Afterward, people milled about and hors d’oeuvres were brought around on large, shiny platters.

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell showered praise on the Liberal cabinet, which will be in power for five years.

“Even before they picked the cabinet, any premier would be delighted to have such a talent pool to pick from,” he said.

“There’s lots of potential there for some really good stuff to happen.”