In March 2026, leaders from the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations met with a visiting group from Nordic countries in Haines Junction, Yukon, to discuss new travel and learning programs for young people. The meeting focused on building partnerships between northern Indigenous communities and countries in the Nordic region to help youth connect across the globe.
Chief Joe and local officials hosted the delegation to talk about shared interests like clean energy, climate change, and keeping traditional languages alive. The groups specifically looked into a potential youth travel agreement that would allow local young people to participate in cultural exchanges. This program would help youth learn from other northern cultures and share their own traditions with people living in similar environments.
The visit took place during the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, which were held in Whitehorse from March 8 to March 15, 2026. During the event, local citizens Abigail Johnson, Leslie Jackson, and Troy Kinney represented their community in traditional sports. Chief Joe also joined federal Minister Marc Miller to present medals at ceremonies honoring the skills and sportsmanship of the young athletes.
The Nordic Council of Ministers is currently marking 30 years of working on northern cooperation projects to help Arctic communities stay strong. These types of international partnerships have worked well in the past, such as when other Indigenous groups formed ties with the Sámi people to share their heritage. These discussions represent a new effort to provide more international opportunities for the youth of Haines Junction.
