Kluane Adamek’s traditional name is “Aagé”. She is from Kluane First Nation in Yukon, Canada, and from the Dakl’aweidi- Killerwhale Clan. Adamek comes from a diverse background – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – which she believes gives her the ability to view and analyze our world from different perspectives. On her father’s side she is of Tlingit and Southern Tutchone, and on her mother’s side she is of German and Irish descent. Adamek has experience living in rural and urban, northern and southern communities.
On January 17, 2018, Adamek was appointed by Yukon First Nation Chiefs as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Yukon Interim Regional Chief until the next election in the summer of 2018. Having served in both the public and private sector, Adamek brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and is honoured to have been given this opportunity.
“I congratulate Kluane Adamek on her appointment and welcome her to the AFN Executive Committee,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “Her strong voice, leadership and dedication to issues like education, the environment, economic development, child and youth development and governance will help advance our priorities on a national level” (source – www.afn.ca).
At only 31 years old, Adamek already has a resume that many of us strive for over our entire professional careers.
Most recently she served as the Executive Assistant to Hon. Pauline Frost, Minister of Health and Social Services, Environment and Housing for Government of Yukon. Adamek has a B.A, is fluent in French and English and is a MBA Candidate at Simon Fraser University (British Columbia, Canada). Her professional experience includes working with the Yukon College Board of Governors and the Kluane Dana Shäw Corporation; leading education initiatives at the Council of Yukon First Nations; building partnerships with Indigenous communities and all levels of Government for Northwestel; and serving as an advisor to former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.
Adamek is incredibly passionate about supporting youth and emerging leaders in the north and is paving the way forward for Indigenous youth. While pursuing her Northern Fellowship with the Walter and Duncan Foundation, she led and founded “Our Voices”, a collective of northern Indigenous emerging leaders and served as Co-Chair of this initiative.
During her tenure as Interim Regional Chief she looks forward to working with Yukon First Nation Chiefs and communities to bring their priorities and interests forward at the national level and championing the innovation of Yukon First Nations leadership within the AFN Executive Committee – a committee comprised of all the AFN Regional Chiefs from across Canada.
“Our past leaders and regional chiefs have worked incredibly hard,” Adamek said. “I am honoured to carry forward this leadership and determined to build on their important contributions by bringing new energy, passion and ideas for the benefit of all Yukon First Nations.”
In the little free time she has, Adamek dances with the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, an Inland Tlingit dance group based in Whitehorse, Yukon.
