Our Team | Ycao

Meet our team

Hi I’m Annette King. I was sworn in as the Yukon’s second Child and Youth Advocate on May 1st 2015.

Helping children and youth of all ages and enhancing the government systems that support them is a great honor to me. There is nothing better than seeing children reach their potential because someone took the time to listen to them.

I was born and raised in the Yukon, and have dedicated my career to the helping profession. I have worked in, developed, and lead systemic change among several government organizations. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. I believe in lifelong learning and building capacity in others.

It is important to me that the Yukon Child Advocate Office provides the information and support to all Yukon children and youth within our mandate, without discrimination. I am dedicated to upholding children’s rights and holding government departments accountable to doing the same. we can’t do it alone; I encourage everyone to engage children and youth and watch the difference it makes.

Annette King, Yukon Child & Youth Advocate

Hi, my name is Julia Milnes. I was born and raised in Ontario. My passion for wilderness canoe travel and land based education brought me up North to lay down roots in 2010.

For over a decade, and in various roles my career has involved advocating for Yukon children and youth – making support services available with a constant view towards safety, security and equality. I believe that building relationships extends beyond the individual, and must include the community. I joined the YCAO team in January 2020 as an Advocacy Caseworker, and have been in the role as Deputy Child and Youth Advocate since June 2022. I believe strongly in the importance of upholding children’s rights, and am committed to helping ensure their voices are heard. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such passionate colleagues towards meaningful change for Yukon children and youth.

I have a degree in Canadian history with a focus on First Nation and northern perspectives, and have taken extensive training in the areas of mental wellness, restorative practices and education. I love to spend time outside with my family, exploring the Yukon by foot, in a canoe, and on skis!

Julia Milnes, Deputy Child & Youth Advocate

McKenzie Amundson, Client Services Administrator

Hi! My name is McKenzie Amundson. I am a born and raised Yukoner, named after the beautiful mountain range that borders the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

I joined the Yukon Child & Youth Advocate Office team in April of 2023. As Client Services Administrator, my position encompasses the work of an executive assistant, office manager and intake worker. The many hats I wear help me to ensure a functional, efficient, and welcoming office. Client service is always my top priority!!!! I am the first point of contact for the YCAO team, and I strive to create meaningful connections that allow children, youth and their support systems to feel seen and heard.

This is my second career built on my love of serving others. I believe strongly that hard work, dedication, and passion create infinite possibilities. I am endlessly grateful to work in a position that supports the growth of a healthy and safe society where the voices, values and rights of children and youth are not only heard, but amplified.

Hello, I am Shauna Kewin (she/her). I was born and raised in Ontario; however, I am now happy to call the Yukon my home and I am grateful to live and work on the traditional territory of Kwänlin Dün and Taʼan Kwächʼän Council.

I have learned that meaningful change can happen through youth engagement and participation. Drawing on the strength of young people, I am committed to upholding the rights of Yukon’s children and youth and amplifying their voices. Much of my work has focused on improving circumstances for children, youth and families accessing social service systems in Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. I worked to improve programs and policies in youth justice and child welfare systems, and to improve quality of care in children's residential placements. I worked directly with children, youth and families receiving services through emergency shelters, women’s shelters, and Family and Children’s Services. These experiences have led me to this role, where I have the privilege of advocating with and for the children and youth of the Yukon.

I have a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, cuddling my dog (and everyone else’s dog), and exploring the wonderful landscapes of the Yukon.

Shauna Kewin, Advocacy Representative

Tanis,

My name is Ben Monkman and I was born and raised in Selkirk, Manitoba on Treaty 1 Territory. My background is Cree/Settler/Metis on my mother’s side and German on my father’s side. I have called Yukon home for the past decade and am now raising my own family here.

I was raised to value communication, always learning how to have difficult conversations while respecting different points of view. Having a Degree in Child and Adolescent Development and Social Development was a great starting point in my career but was only the foundation for my work with children and youth. Over the last 15 years I have worked with children and youth to create meaningful relationships with a focus on what they need to be healthy and happy. I have been guided by what matters most to them and how I can help bring their voices forward in a meaningful and respectful way. I continue to learn how best to serve my community and I am always humble through this journey.

I still find time for biking, camping, and disc golf, and teaching my son the best I can.

Thank you for trusting me with these responsibilities and I look forward to working on what matters for our future generations.

Ben Monkman, Advocacy Representative

Hello. I am Ian Cooper.

I moved to the territory of the Kwänlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in January 2022 from a small town on Central Vancouver Island. I spent my early years in Ottawa, raised in a single parent home with my older sister and Social Worker mother. They both instilled a deep commitment to equity and justice in me at an early age.

I have spent the last 20 years paddling, hiking, and living with young people involved in the Youth Criminal Justice System. A dedication to Land-based healing for youth led to a career in government and non-profit programs in Alberta, BC, and the Yukon. I am fortunate to have built meaningful connections with youth from all walks of life; kids from remote fly-in Communities, new Canadians living in urban centers and everything in between. I am humbled to have been trusted with their stories and inspired by their ideas and perspectives.

We must ensure our young people have their ideas, perspectives, hopes, and dreams not only included, but honoured and celebrated by the systems and professionals meant to serve them! I look forward to supporting and amplifying the voices of children and youth in my role at the YCAO. I will work to ensure our child-, youth-, and family-serving systems in the Yukon keep children’s rights and perspectives at the forefront of their planning and decision making.

Ian Cooper, Advocacy Representative

Hello, my name is Anya Braeuner. I was born in Montreal, but I was raised in France. I am honoured to live and work on the Kwänlin Dün and Taʼan Kwächʼän Council traditional territories since 2018. My career in Europe and Canada has focused almost entirely on children and youth - either advocating for their rights or accompanying them on their academic and personal journeys. I am passionate about social justice and firmly believe that investing in youth wellbeing and upholding their rights is essential to our collective futures.

I have a Master’s degree in Education Sciences, and a degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology. I love travelling and exploring new cultures. Outside of work, you can usually find me playing board games, hiking with my dog, cycling, skiing, or enjoying a good meal.

Anya Braeuner, Advocacy Representative

Hello, I'm Christopher Tse. I was born and raised in BC and have lived and worked extensively abroad, but these days feel very fortunate to call Whitehorse home.

Almost my whole career has been focused on youth, whether as a facilitator, educator, or social worker. I believe deeply that young people have the power to create sustainable change in the world and their own lives, and am passionate about making sure they have the platform to do so. I'm excited to work towards this vision with the YCAO.

Outside of work you can find me riding my bike(s), doing art, watching basketball, and skiing with/after my dog.

Chris Tse, Systemic Advocacy Representative

I’m Lucy Luna, I was born and raised in Southern Ontario and have lived, worked, and played across Canada, Southeast Asia, and Australia. I moved to the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an Kwäch'än Council and entered a career supporting women, gender diverse people and their children experiencing violence. I have Early Childhood Education II, an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Work, a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care and am currently completing my Master’s of Social Work and HR certificate. I sought YCAO for my Master’s practicum because I am passionate about creating a better future for children and am committed to creating positive systemic change for the most vulnerable members in our society. I’ve spent the last decade working with children and youth in various capacities, from supervised access centres, in public schools, counselling, as a special needs nanny and team lead camp counselor for children and youth with diverse levels of physical and intellectual disability. I believe in addressing an individual holistically and creating a safe, nurturing environment for individuals to thrive. I’m happiest when I am on the land, fishing, doing physical activity, making arts & crafts or cooking.