Mellisa Murray became the second city councillor to announce her candidacy for the Whitehorse mayoralty on Monday, creating a race with Coun. Kirk Cameron.

Murray said in a release her role as a councillor has demonstrated her fearlessness in asking tough questions and her commitment to fighting for the public interest.

Her career as a councillor has also taught her about municipal politics and governance, which will help her work seamlessly with the next council, she said.

Murray acknowledged that the public is living on First Nations land, and she believes that building and continuing to strengthen the relationship between the city and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation is key to truth and reconciliation.

Murray, who has a background as the executive director of the First Nation Chamber Of Commerce, shared some examples of how she plans to build a relationship between the two governments if elected mayor in October.

“The City of Whitehorse has a moving Forward Together document that was signed in 2018,” she said.

“We have been working on renewing it as a call to action that the city can do to support and work together with the two First Nations in Whitehorse,” she said. (The other one is the Ta’an Kwach’an Council.)

Other advancements the city has accomplished during her term include installing Indigenous language signs at city hall and in the Canada Games Centre.

Beyond that, she believes there are many partnerships the city can form to advance truth and reconciliation. This includes engaging with the First Nations and hearing what their priorities are so they can keep working with Official Community Plan 2040 together with the two First Nations, and she is looking forward to continuing to collaborate.

As a second-generation Chinese Canadian and a young female leader, Murray said she is committed to prioritizing the building of an environmentally conscious community to combat climate change, focusing on equity, diversity and inclusivity.

She also plans to work on housing issues and improve infrastructure by building strong relationships with all levels of government to provide a safe community for the public.

Murray described herself as a minority and saw other people like her coming to a new place like Whitehorse to start their businesses and a new life. Aware of the potential racial issues in the city, she said she had advocated for them even before she became a city councillor in 2021.

“I want to speak up against it,” she said. “To be a voice for the underrepresented communities in the political realm, and when we’re doing policymaking, to ensure that their voices are heard.

“As a lifelong resident of Whitehorse, I am passionate about our city and its future,” stated. 

“I believe in the power of community and collaboration. Together, we can build a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable community.”

Laura Cabott is not seeking a second term as mayor.