For the second straight year, Premier Sandy Silver and several ministers have joined with a delegation of First Nations chiefs for Yukon Days meetings in Ottawa.

They’re working to advance the territory’s issues and joint agenda with federal officials, the government said in a statement Tuesday.

Priorities being discussed include the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the Porcupine caribou herd, the environment, tourism, housing and child welfare.

Goals that have emerged from the Yukon Forum Joint Action Plan are also being addressed.

With Silver are cabinet ministers Ranj Pillai, Jeanie Dendys, Pauline Frost and Tracy-Anne McPhee.

Those joining them include Peter Johnston, the Council of Yukon First Nations’ grand chief, and Chief Doris Bill of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation.

“Inviting Yukon First Nations governments to join us for the Yukon Days meetings is the right decision – and the results of our meetings last year prove this to be true,” Silver said.

“Together, we are showing the importance of speaking for Yukoners with a single voice across all governments, and know that we will build on last year’s success in furthering Yukon’s priorities in Ottawa.”

Yukon Days are an annual event in Ottawa, this year taking place next Monday and Tuesday.

They consist of a reception and a series of meetings among the territorial and federal governments and Yukon First Nations.

“Yukon First Nation Chiefs look forward to participating in Yukon Days for the second year,” said Johnston.

“It is vital that Yukon First Nations are involved in meetings with federal ministers to ensure that a unified voice is presented to Ottawa on joint priority areas.”

On Wednesday, Silver presented two awards at the Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards ceremony (see story, p. 5).

On Saturday, he will speak on a panel at Carleton University’s Northern Lights Conference.

On Tuesday, he will attend a luncheon discussing Yukon College’s transition to Yukon University with Johnston and college president Karen Barnes.