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PURSUING NOMINATION – Ray Sydney, a long-time Kwanlin Dün First Nation councillor, is also a 16-year veteran of the RCMP.
KDFN councillor seeks Yukon Party nomination
Ray Sydney, a long-time Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) senior official and councillor, is seeking the Mountainview riding nomination for the Yukon Party in the upcoming territorial election.
Ray Sydney, a long-time Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) senior official and councillor, is seeking the Mountainview riding nomination for the Yukon Party in the upcoming territorial election.
The Whitehorse riding is held by Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie McLean.
“I am proud to announce my intentions to run for the Yukon Party today,” said Sydney.
“I enjoy connecting with and helping people and am ready to dedicate the next stage of my career to serving the constituents of Mountainview and provide them the strong representation they expect in the legislative assembly.
“I believe my life and career experience—including my years in government—will help me give back to and serve my community.”
Sydney, a father and grandfather, is currently serving his third term as a KDFN councillor.
In addition to his work on council, his career of service includes holding a number of senior positions within the First Nation’s government specializing in justice and child welfare.
Sydney previously assisted inmates at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre as they re-integrated into society.
He is also a 16-year veteran of the RCMP, having served in Teslin, Ross River, Whitehorse and communities in British Columbia.
“I am a firm believer that safe communities are strong and healthy communities,” said Sydney.
“This is done through collaboration with and listening to the people.
“I believe the Government of Yukon can do a better job of working with First Nations governments to promote and protect our communities and I want to help get this done.”
In May 2018, Sydney was appointed deputy chair of the independent advisory committee that recently reviewed the Yukon government’s Child and Family Services Act.
The territory-wide initiative aimed to enhance protective care for children in need.
“The future of our territory is our youth, and it’s time for fresh thinking and a new approach for how we ensure this next generation is ready to succeed,” added Sydney.
“To address these important issues, we need a government that understands their urgency and is ready to take action.”
Premier Sandy Silver has not said when the election will take place.
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Comments (27)
Up 2 Down 2
Mai on Mar 14, 2021 at 10:03 am
Best of Luck Ray!
We will support you all the way and thank you for representing Mountainview!
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TheHammer on Feb 8, 2021 at 11:51 am
What does a sheep say@ Well it is certainly not up to a white man to say what an Indian should be, but that is exactly what white politicians try to do. They tried to turn Indians into white men. To understand what an FN elder means you have to understand FN culture before the white man showed with his politics. Politics is a white man's game.
Up 4 Down 16
Yukoner0 on Feb 7, 2021 at 10:06 pm
@PSG Why are you and your pretend conservative leader Currie Dixon so against Trump and right wing patriots? Maybe you should stop being so overly dramatic as well..... saying "assassination attempt on the VP". How about you and Currie stop pretending to be conservatives and just go join the Liberal party?
Up 24 Down 19
North_of_60 on Feb 6, 2021 at 7:57 pm
The LIBgov must be removed. Their arrogant elitism in declaring a state of emergency then blocking the Legislature from meeting was inexcusable. They don't believe in representative democracy; they only want to rule us as their subjects. During the entire Covid plandemic they have done nothing but parrot what their masters in Ottawa told them to do.
We need a government that represents the Yukon, not some puppet government that only answers to Ottawa.
I wish all the Yukon Party candidates all the best; it's time for a change.
Up 6 Down 4
What does a sheep say? on Feb 6, 2021 at 2:52 pm
@ TheHammer - Thank you. There is a lot going on in the name of some thing that does not accord with that thing but for the misrepresentation of it.
Curious illusions in the name of a thing are done up North under the midnight sun... But is it not true though that each individual accepts the part of a “culture” that fits for him/her/they?
Is there a way to be Indian/Aboriginal/First Nation/Native/White/Black/Caucasian/Asian/Oriental/African American or Canadian or... Who gets to decide who is who and what is what?
Nice dilemma. Certainly not the government because it was ‘they’ who got us here in the first place.
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TheHammer on Feb 5, 2021 at 4:09 pm
In our democracy who you plan to vote for is supposed to be a secret. You don't tell anyone. It's between you and the ballot box. I recently received a survey call from Winnipeg. A political survey about Yukon. They want to know who you plan to vote for. They ask the same question in three different ways. I had to remind the guy about the rule of secrecy. They also ask questions about how you feel about the current leadership and policies and what's important. There's a certain point when the cat is out of the bag and its obvious who is paying for the survey.
Now back to the topic on the subject of candidates, all those professing the good of our political system, and social reform, are telling us who they are going to vote for, individual and party. That's how much they know about our election process. Now I want to leave with a thought from an FN elder at a potlatch speech: "Politicking is not Indian!"
Up 17 Down 3
Resident on Feb 5, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Funny how the same people who laud authoritarians are the same people who scream bloody murder when they are denied a building permit for a shed. Guess they believe Government only works when you can wield it as a weapon.
Up 9 Down 2
JSmonk on Feb 5, 2021 at 6:37 am
@thehammer, first of all when you @ me please have the decency and respect to spell my initial's and name correctly. I am no monk, nor do I claim to be... It is my name. It is a foolish false equivalency to thing my suggestion that our government is weak willed and soft is the same as a spiritual leader passing on his teachings. When you step to me, please do so with respect from now on. I have afforded you nothing but the same.
Up 13 Down 21
ProScience Greenie on Feb 4, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Breaks my Red Tory heart to see a few here that are so far to the right that they still support DJT and his foul supporters that attempted the coup on Capital Hill under his direction. What turned you folks on the most that day - the assassination attempt on the VP who was simply following the Constitution? The hunting down to kill Dem and moderate GOP politicians? The beating death of the cop? The Nazi salutes and anti-Semitic t-shirts? The pooping on the floors and smearing it in the walls of the Capital building?
Up 7 Down 21
TheHammer on Feb 4, 2021 at 12:42 pm
35monk@ A Tibetan Yogi (monk) came to Yukon 1977. He was a very high spiritual master. He gave talk in the building of the once Carcross residential school. The whole village turned out. The translator held up a piece of string. He said 'you can do just about anything with this, you can shape it into a horse, a butterfly, but the mind is much more difficult to control.' And you think you can solve the social problem by voting for Sydney!
Up 17 Down 11
JSmonk on Feb 4, 2021 at 11:56 am
@thehammer trying to discredit me because of the words I choose to you is immature. I would trust ex-RCMP more than anything. And we need an authoritative leader to bring us forward and crack down on the weak political agenda we currently have.
@Adam Smith I did not refer to the young Yukon Party leaders as true conservitives, I agree with your stance on every party being far to socialist and "love your neighbor" style politics these days. I inferred that new leadership could bring back the conservative "more for us, less for them" style politics that I think we need. Enough socialist hand outs and communist agenda from the liberals. We need strong leadership moving forward to guide us.
Up 17 Down 10
Equality Disparity Is No Rarity on Feb 4, 2021 at 10:41 am
Equality is such a lonely word
Everyone is so biased
Equality is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you...
I could find another politician,
But I’m hoping you’re a political magician...
Hopefully Ray will run on the platform that white people can be discriminated against too and that they can also experience racism.
Perhaps there will be a Ray of sunshine in the fight for equality, for all!
Up 11 Down 21
Doubtful on Feb 4, 2021 at 3:28 am
This isn't the Yukon Party that I know. Good luck Ray.
I've seen Jeanie McLean at every public function that I've attended (Senior's dinner, Lapaige Park, Labor Day brunch, etc) so I can't go along with these mia delusional dreams cooked up by delusional wanna be conservatives.
Up 12 Down 23
Adam Smith on Feb 3, 2021 at 9:44 pm
@JSMonk
You are joking right? The Yukon Party has become just as socialist as the Liberals under their new young elite leader. Think about it, the Yukon Party has now come out in support of the emergency measures including closing our borders, and Currie said he wants to focus on First Nation relations and also childcare (a huge socialist policy!) He has also denounced Trump and all of his right wing supporters. Oh and he even supported the NDP motion in the legislature to condemn the RCMP in Nova Scotia over the lobster dispute. HOW IS ANY OF THIS REMOTELY CONSERVATIVE? If you vote for this, you are simply abandoning conservative morals and principles. If the road to power means sacrificing such things, count me out!
Up 19 Down 14
TheHammer on Feb 3, 2021 at 7:35 pm
There's a lot of people in the Kwanlin Dun community that are not getting any help at all, it's a social disaster. Why, because there's a total lack of professional expertise in the area of addictions, drugs, crime, abuse, and trauma counselling. It all boils down to a lack of vision. So what exactly has been done on this magnificent track record. The job list does not tell the story of success. it's a resume, like a piece of creative writing. We need to know because Kwanlin Dun is a closed circle.
An ex authoritarian RCMP, running on a Yukon Party right wing platform like he's a social crusader. The winners in KDFN will give him the vote, but the losers outnumber the winners. Millions of dollars have been poured into the communities for addictions and healing. And what exactly is the result? It's a mental health crises.
Up 10 Down 10
TheHammer on Feb 3, 2021 at 7:15 pm
35monk@ 'more authoritative', ex RCMP, Yukon Party, 'socialist agenda'. Red Flag.
Up 37 Down 19
JSmonk on Feb 3, 2021 at 12:16 pm
We could use more authoritative figures in Politics. I think this is a great pick to beat the liberals and their socialist agenda. Right on!
Up 17 Down 43
Adam Smith on Feb 2, 2021 at 9:18 pm
No surprise here. This is just another step in Currie's plan to beat the Liberals by becoming them. As I've said before, anyone with real conservative values has nobody to vote for in this election. On the bright side, saves me having to go out and stand in a line up to vote I guess.
Up 45 Down 12
Richard on Feb 2, 2021 at 6:19 pm
Many of us concur with Sharon, “Our MLA was MIA for the last 4 years.” Ray has done a lot of good work for First Nation’s across Yukon and is well respected. It would be good to get a politician in for Mountainview that can actually get positive results. From my experience, Ray is very much a people person, builds strong relationships, logical in his thought and conclusions, and unlike many people, can see the bigger picture.
My household is eager to vote for you Ray!
Up 49 Down 12
Wade Harrison on Feb 2, 2021 at 5:29 pm
Knowing Ray on a personal level and sharing many fires with him, I can say with the upmost confidence, he understands the struggles that affect both our indigenous and non-indigenous peoples alike and he will work hard to make the Yukon a better place for all.
Up 39 Down 9
Tom Young on Feb 2, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Wonderful. Ray will be a great addition to the Yukon governmental body.
Up 38 Down 12
Edie rue on Feb 2, 2021 at 4:44 pm
Ray has worked tirelessly for his community and Nation. I strongly support him and I hope to see him elected. Unfortunately it’s for the Yukon party, which will not pull it off, but Ray will still work as hard as he can.
Up 46 Down 13
Granger Resident on Feb 2, 2021 at 4:08 pm
I don’t know Mr. Sidney but I like his past experience and credentials, best of all he offers a legitimate alternative to the current Liberal MLA. He’ll be getting my vote.
I would like to point out that back when Darrel Pasloski was the Mountainview MLA he knocked on area residents doors every summer to ask if we as his local constituents had any concerns. Since the current Liberal MLA who campaigned with ‘Be Heard’ plastered all over on big signs was elected a few years ago we have seen or heard nothing from her except for what is in the news. The silence we hear from her in Granger is deafening.
Up 54 Down 23
YT on Feb 2, 2021 at 3:31 pm
“I believe the Government of Yukon can do a better job of working with First Nations governments to promote and protect our communities and I want to help get this done.”
Really? Are you serious? That's all the Liberal government does.
Up 50 Down 27
Wilf Carter on Feb 2, 2021 at 2:37 pm
Great move Ray.
Up 51 Down 24
joe on Feb 2, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Got my vote for sure!
Up 83 Down 33
Sharon on Feb 2, 2021 at 1:28 pm
I would vote for Ray in a heartbeat. Thanks Ray for choosing to represent Mountainview - and thank you for choosing Yukon Party. I am so excited to vote this election! Our MLA was MIA for the last 4 years. This is excellent news!