Kluane Adamek, the Assembly of First Nations’ Yukon regional chief, has extended her congratulations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Yukon MP-designate Brendan Hanley for their election victories on Monday.

“The AFN Yukon Region looks forward to working collaboratively to advance regional priorities and help fulfill the commitments that have been made to ensure access and equity for all First Nation peoples,” she said in a statement released Tuesday.

“I also extend congratulations to all the Indigenous candidates who put their names forward for the 44th federal election,” Adamek added.

“Leading this country is an immense responsibility that includes working collaboratively with First Nations to advance the truth first, and then reconciliation.

“This is required to create the transformative change that this country so desperately needs,” she said.

“As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, we must not forget the devastating reality facing the environment – our Mother Earth – and the impacts of climate change both today and in the future.”

Yukon First Nations, Adamek added, “have been leading the country in areas of climate action, COVID-19 planning and recovery, MMIWG2S+ advancements, implementation of the Final Agreements, and the advancement of self-determination.

“Our people continue to advance innovative solutions, both regionally and nationally, on housing, program and service delivery, economic development, language revitalization and culturally-based education.

“We require a firm commitment and will need the political will to support First Nation-led solutions in these key areas.”

Canada, said the regional chief, “is a fabric woven with many complex issues but also many opportunities, and several of those opportunities exist right here in the Yukon.”