A Yukon First Nation painting was installed in the Law Courts building in Whitehorse as part of a series of initiatives aimed at making the court and judicial system more culturally-inclusive for Yukon First Nations.
The initiatives are a joint effort between the Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon First Nations, the Government of Yukon and the judiciary representing both the Supreme Court of Yukon and the Territorial Court of Yukon.
The artwork installed in Courtroom #5 is titled “Forget Me Not” and was created by Violet Gatensby who is a Carcross/Tagish First Nation citizen. It was chosen for Courtroom #5 which is the busiest courtroom in the Law Courts building and where most Whitehorse criminal matters are heard or make their first appearance.
In addition to the painting installation, the collaboration includes the previously-announced introduction of eagle feathers for use in court to swear oaths.
A larger public unveiling event for all the project pieces will take place in September once renovations at the Law Courts building are complete.
