Power Corp. of Canada has donated $100,000 to support the development of an Institute of Indigenous Self-Determination at Yukon University.

The money will support the design and development of a mentorship program aimed at building capacity of participants engaged in human resources, lands or finance within their First Nations government.

“The Institute of Indigenous Self-Determination at YukonU will support First Nations governments in their implementation of their self-government agreements through research and capacity development and will share the important stories of the struggle for and achievement of self-determination,” Chùsi Robin Bradasch, the university’s associate vice-president Indigenous Engagement and Partnerships, said Wednesday.

“This significant investment by Power Corporation of Canada will be used to design programs supporting the professional development of individuals serving their communities in Canada’s North.”

“Power Corporation is delighted to support the new mentorship program at the Institute of Indigenous Self-Determination,” said Paul C. Genest, the corporation’s senior vice-president.

“This program will help fulfill the vision of the university’s inspired collaboration with the 14 Yukon First Nations.

“We see a very bright future for the university and the peoples of Yukon in the years to come, with YukonU playing a vital role in developing homegrown talent and a next generation of leadership.”

Across several years, the university and the 14 Yukon First Nations have co-operatively identified a governance model for the institute.

From these discussions, research and capacity development have been identified as two key priorities.

Advancing the institute was paused as YukonU and the First Nations addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in October 2020.

The university’s 13 campuses are located on the traditional territories of the 14 Yukon First Nations.

Incorporated in 1925, Power Corp. is an international management and holding company that focuses on financial services in North America, Europe and Asia.

Its core holdings are leading insurance, retirement, wealth management and investment businesses, including a portfolio of alternative asset investment platforms.