Federal election endorsement battle heats up in Yukon

Yukon's NDP candidate say she's not giving up her fight to become the territory's next MP, despite losing a key endorsement.

Earlier this week, the Council of Yukon First Nations endorsed Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell. Grand chief Ruth Massie said it's about voting strategically to oust the Conservatives.

Atkinson hit back on Thursday, calling strategic voting short-sighted and risky.

"Well, this girl is not going tobe silent, there is too much at stake," Atkinson said. "We need to come together and vote in a principled way."

"If you're going to use some strange formula to come up with how you'regoing toplan your future, you need to stop and think about that," Atkinson said.

The NDPcandidate released a statement today detailing her party's commitment to addressing issues deemed important toFirst Nations communities, such as housing, education, and Bill S-6.

It also highlights endorsements Atkinson has received from formerTr'ondek Hwetch'in Chief Eddie Taylor, and formerLiberal Yukon government minister Don Roberts.

Atkinson also points to Assembly of First Nations chief Perry Bellegarde's praise for the NDP platform. The AFN on Thursdayreleased its assessment of the four main parties' platforms, giving the NDP highest marks.

Premier weighs in

Another high-profile endorsement came Thursdayfrom Yukon premier Darrell Pasloski, who is supporting Conservative candidate Ryan Leef.

"To many, this will come as no surprise given my past political role," Pasloski said in a written statement. Before he became premier, Pasloski ran as a Conservative in the 2008 federal election.

PasloskicalledLeef the "best choice" for Yukon. He listeda number of federal investments in Yukon, including theCarcross Commons, clean energy projects with Yukon First Nations, and the new Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining, saying Leef has "delivered results."

The premier also cited Leef's"courage to break ranks with his party" and vote in favour of an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.