Former Yukon First Nation chief in the running to become premier

WHITEHORSE — A former chief of Yukon’s largest First Nation is in the running to become the leader of the territory’s Liberal Party and its next premier.

The Yukon Liberal Party says Doris Bill has been confirmed as the first official candidate in its race to replace Premier Ranj Pillai who announced earlier this month that he would step down once a new leader was chosen.

Bill was chief of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation from 2014 to 2023 and is a former CBC journalist.

If she wins, Bill would become both the territory’s first Indigenous premier and its first premier to have been born there.

Businessman Mike Pemberton, board chair of the Yukon branch of the federal Liberal Party, has issued a statement saying he also plans to seek the Yukon Liberal leadership.

If more than one candidate is confirmed by the party, members will vote at a convention on June 19.

The next territorial election has to happen by Nov. 3.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025

The Canadian Press