Merran Smith

Merran works with the Council of Yukon First Nations as the Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator: Merran was drawn to working in the field of climate change following three summers working at Dechen’La (land at the end of the sticks) Lodge in Kaska Dena Kayeh witnessing the changes in caribou populations and tree line. All of this resonated at a deeper level when she began to understand the implications of this change on Indigenous peoples, culture and livelihood. She has since pursued studies in Geography and Indigenous Studies at Bishops and Memorial Universities but prefers learning on the land. She has worked in this field for Yukon College, Yukon Government and now in her role at CYFN since 2016.