Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and Primier Ranj Pillai sit down at the MacBride museum to sign two historic documents. Photo courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW
Whitehorse, YT – A slate of Alaskan government officials were in Whitehorse meeting with several Yukon Government cabinet ministers with Governor Mike Dunleavy and Premier Ranj Pillai signing two historic documents signaling future collaboration and friendship between the two governments.
The Alaskan Government officials arrived in Whitehorse on February 8th which marked Governor Dunleavy’s first trip to the Yukon.
Both governments met at the MacBride Museum on Friday morning and signed an Intergovernmental Relations Accord and a Memorandum of Understanding on Alaska Highway improvements signalling future collaborative efforts in the areas of infrastructure and arctic security.
“Every hour that we spend together, we see more areas of opportunity and collaboration, which is so many things. And so, today, we’re in the midst of signing an agreement, we’re really gonna focus on infrastructure,” said Premier Pillai. “We’re focusing on the Alaska Highway but that’s just one element of where we think we can work on.”
The Memorandum of Understanding will be sent to the U.S. Federal Government where, upon approval, funds will be allocated to help maintain the Alaska Highway. The Intergovernmental Relations Accord document symbolizes a renewed commitment to a collaborative relationship.
Governor Dunleavy and Premier Pillai sign the two documents. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
“We’re finding out what the commonalities are, what the interests are, and what the opportunities are. This is not a one-off for me and I don’t think it’s a one-off for the premier, we talked about this last night,” said Governor Dunleavy. “What we can gain for our respective sovereigns and our people is tremendous.”
The two governments discussed shared priorities on Arctic security with Premier Pillai discussing the recent announcement of the Arctic Security Council. Both leaders discussed increasing demand for security following the shooting down of a ‘high-altitude object’ in February of 2023.
Other items discussed include the importance of the Port of Skagway to the Yukon’s mining and tourism industries,the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People Strategy, and collaborative wildfire management and prevention opportunities.
Governor Dunleavy said that after many meetings between officials from both governments and a recent business community lunch at the Sternwheeler Hotel on February 8th he sees this visit as the beginning of a collaborative relationship with the
Governor Dunleavy and Premier Pillai shake hands shortly after signing the two documents. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW
territory.
“I think you’re gonna find that there’s actually been some tangible agreements and moves forward to solidify more of a symbiotic relationship in the Arctic and our northern way of life,” said Governor Dunleavy.
The other Alaskan officials include Alaska State Commissioner of Fish and Game Douglas Vincent-Lang, Alaska State Commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities Ryan Anderson, and Alaska State Commissioner of Natural Resources John Boyle.
