Geraldine Van Bibber, the Yukon Party MLA for Porter Creek North, will seek the Yukon Party nomination as the riding’s candidate in the next territorial election.

“It has been a huge honour to represent the riding of Porter Creek North over the last almost four years,” Van Bibber said Wednesday.

“Listening to and working hard on behalf of the constituents of the riding has been a rewarding experience, and I want to continue to ensure that they have a strong voice fighting for them.”

A member of the Gwich’in First Nation, Van Bibber was first elected in 2016, after having been an advisor to former premier Darrell Pasloski’s government. Born and raised in Dawson City, she has a long history of public service and advocacy on behalf of Yukoners.

Before being elected, she served as the Yukon’s 15th commissioner – with roles and responsibilities similar to that of a provincial lieutenant governor.

Prior to being commissioner, Van Bibber served as the territory’s administrator, whose duties include stepping in for the commissioner when he or she is unavailable.

She has also been a strong advocate for developing and supporting made-in-Yukon education, and served as chancellor for the former Yukon College.

“Regardless if the issues have to do with school zones, access to medical care, or even municipal issues, I have always put the constituents of Porter Creek first and advocated on their behalf,” said Van Bibber.

“There’s a lot of work to be done, and I want to do my part to continue to improve the lives of Yukoners by supporting a vision for the territory focused on compassion and action.”

Van Bibber also has a long history of supporting and advocating for the northern and Canadian tourism industries.

She has played a key role in making the territory a travel-destination by co-ordinating the tourism industry and broadening awareness of its unique Indigenous cultures.

She was crucial in the formation of the Yukon First Nation Tourism Association in 1992, and has also served on the board for the Canadian Tourism Commission, Aboriginal Tourism Canada, the Yukon Tourism Education Council.

Additionally, Van Bibber has served on the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues, Yukon’s Business Development Fund, and the Small Business Advisory Committee for the Canada Revenue Agency.

She has also been involved in many community organizations.

Those include the Yukoners’ Cancer Care Fund and the Gathering of Traditions Potlatch Society.

For her commitment to improving the lives of Yukoners and her role in development of the territory’s tourism industry, Van Bibber was awarded the Order of Canada in 2016.

She has also been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was inducted into the Order of St. John by former governor general Michaëlle Jean.

In the November 2016 election, Van Bibber took 435 votes, while the Liberals’ Eileen Melnychuk earned 372, the NDP’s Francis van Kessel 145 and the Green Party’s Mike Ivens 37.

Yukon Party leader Currie Dixon and longtime MLA Brad Cathers have also confirmed their intentions to run in the next election, which must occur by late 2021.