Justice Thomas Berger will be the keynote speaker Saturday for Yukon College's graduation ceremonies.

After overflowing the Yukon Arts Centre in 2012, the college will be holding two convocation ceremonies this weekend.

Others speakers will be Premier Darrell Pasloski, Yukon Senator Dan Lang, college chancellor Geraldine Van Bibber and college president Karen Barnes.

Students will cross the stage at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the arts centre.

The college will be awarding two honourary diplomas at the convocation.

One is to noted anthropologist Dr. Julie Cruickshank, a former Yukon resident, and the other is to James Smith, theYukon's commissioner from 1966 to 1976.

Smith, 93, also worked for better treatment of Yukon by the federal government, and was a strong advocate for Yukon First Nations self-government.

During his tenure, he was instrumental in the creation of Kluane National Park and Reserve and the designation of the Chilkoot Trail as a National Historic Site of Canada. He was also

responsible for helping to create the Arctic Winter Games.

This year will see the first graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences.

This program, a partnership with the University of Alberta, has been very popular, with more than 30 students having taken courses over the past three years. Many are working full-time and using the credits to complete a program or qualify for a masters program elsewhere, or simply improve their understanding of the Yukon's natural environment.

The program has attracted students from Edmonton, and a new major in Northern Systems is poised to be introduced.

On Friday, there will be a mixer at the Hilltop Bistro for past and current students to meet visiting faculty from UAlberta visiting for the convocation.

As well, this year will see the first graduates from the First Nations Governance and Public Administration program.

A joint initiative among First Nations, the college and the territorial government, the program is focused on building capacity and on providing senior management staff with the tools to

enhance the operations of governments in the Yukon.

"It is a made-in-Yukon approach that incorporates local knowledge and experience and recognizes the unique Yukon governance landscape,” the college said in a statement.

"It builds upon the Executive Development Program —which is a partnership between the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, (the) Yukon government and Yukon College.”

More than 35 students representing eight Yukon First Nations, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Yukon and federal governments will graduate.

The content of this program has been well-received across Canada – the courses are transferable to a number of academic institutions, including Simon Fraser University, UBC, University of Northern B.C., UVic, the University of Lethbridge and Camosun College.

Yukon College is in discussions with the University of Saskatchewan on the possible development of an integrated degree program in Northern Governance and Development in the Yukon.

On Saturday evening, there will be an event to celebrate the program and students.

Between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, the college's All-Girls Science Club will be investigating robotics.

Allen Lee will be demonstrating some fun gadgets he has made and explaining the science of the Canadarm 2.