Governor General Micha'lle Jean wants to come away from the Yukon with a better understanding of how the territory ticks as a community.

'This place, this territory, Yukon is always considered as a place of solidarity,' Jean said Monday.

'People know how to do things together, work together in Yukon. I just wanted to see what it is about Yukon. Is there a Yukon way? Is there a Yukon style?'

Jean hosted a forum at the Whitehorse United Church on Monday to discuss civic engagement in the territory.

The discussion, entitled Living Together, brought 35 individuals from various women's, youth, aboriginal and other social groups in the territory.

The discussion was designed to allow the representatives from social agencies and non-profit organizations to talk about the needs of people in Whitehorse and what solutions have already been used to solve problems related to poverty and addiction in the territory.

'I think it's good for me to understand what all the challenges are here and what all the solutions are,' said Jean.

She has been hosting similar discussions throughout Canada during her tour across the country.

The Yukon is the final stop of her official visits in all 13 provinces and territories.

A champion of social issues, Jean identified the meetings with the groups as one of her goals during her mandate as governor general.

'I truly believe that solutions come from small communities,' she said.

Often Canadians have the impression it is the big urban centres that dictate decisions, she said. But in small communities there is a strength and will that addresses challenges.

'This is where most of the very meaningful solutions come from,' she said.

Whitehorse Mayor Bev Buckway told Jean one of the strengths of the Yukon is the personal connections people have.

Someone's house may be in Whitehorse, said Buckway, but his or her home is the Yukon.

It is knowing people in every community and having the ability to reach out to others that allow solutions to be reached, she said.

Jean hosted a similar discussion earlier in the day to look at challenges facing the arts community.

In that talk, Jean said she found there really did appear to be a 'Yukon way of doing things' in the arts.

Jean has also been hosting the Art Matters forum throughout the country.

It is meant to encourage dialogue and provide a place for reflection on the creative process and society's perception of art.

The conversations go beyond politics and funding to provide a better perspective on culture in Canada.

The Governor General is in Haines Junction today and will depart for Dawson City tonight.

She will return to Whitehorse to celebration National Aboriginal Day on Thursday before departing the territory.