Mayor Laura Cabott delivered her first address at Monday’s council meeting, after all seven members were sworn into office by Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan of the Yukon Supreme Court.

The seven elected representatives took turns being sworn in by Duncan.

Coun. Ray Sydney of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation drummed in the honour guard comprised of firefighters with the Whitehorse Fire Department to begin the meeting.

The council chambers were packed with friends and family of the council members, along with several dignitaries, and members of the territorial cabinet.

Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations also attended the ceremony.

After each member of council swore the three oaths – Oath of Office, Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Athens – they shared an elbow bump with the chief justice and new mayor.

The members of council swore they would serve the city with honesty. They swore there was nothing in their backgrounds to prevent them from holding office.

They swore they did not use bribery, corruption or intimidatation to gain their seat on council.

They swore “That I will not, without due authority in that behalf, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of my office.

“That I will faithfully perform the duties of my office and will not allow any private interest to influence my conduct in public matters.”

Once the swearing-in was complete, the members of council took their seats at the council table.

The six councillors sworn in were Mellisa Murray, Michelle Friesen, Dan Boyd, Jocelyn Curteanu, Ted Laking and Kirk Cameron.

Boyd and Curteanu served on the last council while the other four are new, though Cameron has served on council in previous years.

Cabott, who served as a councillor for the past three years, was the last to be sworn in.

Delivering her address shortly after, Cabott offered a special thanks to Duncan.

“We met 20 years ago on a hike in the Tombstone Mountains and I am glad she stuck around,” the mayor said.

She also offered the city’s condolences to the Town of Faro, where two people were shot dead last Tuesday and a third person was wounded.

“We are here if you need us,” she said.

Cabott said she is pleased to to lead the most diverse city council in the history of Whitehorse, and that diversity truly represents how much Whitehorse has changed over the years.

“Each councillor brings their own set of complementary skills, distinct perspectives and unique backgrounds, and I believe it will lead to positive and progressive change for this community,” Cabott said.

Cabott said this new term presents an exciting opportunity to re-engage and re-energize the relationships with the federal, territorial and First Nations governments.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the ability to conduct meaningful public engagement, Cabott said, she’s optimistic the city can begin to conduct more outreach going forward.

“It’s imperative that we focus on listening to the needs of the community, and welcoming residents’ feedback,” she said.

Cabott said the city faces many challenges as it approaches 2022.

“As your new mayor, I’m committed to facing these challenges head-on, but I will need your help,” she said.

“We’re all in this together, and if we can work for the good of the community, then I believe we can succeed in making Whitehorse one of the best places to live in the world.”

Cabott said council has the support of what she called an experienced and passionate city staff who will work with council to achieve its goals.

She also extended a thank you to the previous council and the councils before that for their dedication and commitment to the community.

She especially thanked former mayor Dan Curtis for serving the city over three consecutive terms in the last nine years. Curtis did not seek re-election in the Oct. 21 election.