Geraldine Van Bibber facts for kids

Geraldine Van Bibber (born July 3, 1951) is a Canadian politician from the Yukon. She is a member of the Gwichʼin First Nation. She has held important roles, including being the commissioner of Yukon and a member of the Yukon Legislature.

Van Bibber was elected to represent the area of Porter Creek North in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. She first won this seat in the 2016 Yukon general election. Before becoming a politician, she worked for the Yukon government's finance department. She also helped create the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association. This group helps share the unique cultures of the First Nations people and promotes tourism in the Yukon. She was re-elected in the 2021 Yukon general election.

Geraldine Van Bibber's Political Journey

Becoming a Member of the Legislature

Geraldine Van Bibber decided to run for a seat in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016. She sought to represent the area of Porter Creek North for the Yukon Party. This area was known as a strong base for the Yukon Party. The previous representative, Doug Graham, had decided to retire.

It was quite unusual for a former Commissioner to run for elected office. The Commissioner's job is usually not connected to any political party. However, Van Bibber was already working as a Senior Advisor to the Premier at the time. She was elected to the Yukon Legislature on November 7, 2016.

Her Role in the Yukon Government

As a member of the Yukon Legislature, Van Bibber has several important duties. She is part of committees that review laws and government appointments. She also acts as a critic for the Yukon Party on certain topics. This means she questions and reviews the work of government departments.

As of July 2025, Van Bibber is the Official Opposition critic for several areas. These include Economic Development, Tourism and Culture, the Yukon Energy Corporation, and the Yukon Development Corporation. She announced in January 2025 that she would not run for re-election in the upcoming 2025 election. Instead, she plans to help lead the Yukon Party's election campaign.

Awards and Recognitions

Geraldine Van Bibber has received several special awards for her work. In 2006, she was made a Commander of the Order of St. John. This is an international order of chivalry.

In 2016, she received one of Canada's highest civilian honors: she was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada. This award recognized her efforts in making the Yukon a popular place for visitors. It also honored her work in sharing the unique cultures of the Indigenous people in the territory.

Van Bibber has also been awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. This medal celebrates significant contributions to Canada.