Robert Bruce Jr. (1948 - 2023)

Robert Bruce was born in Old Crow. He worked as a heavy equipment operator before entering politics. He was chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation from 1992 to 1996 and signed the First Nation’s Final Agreement in 1993. In 1996, he was successful in running as the area’s MLA with Piers McDonald’s New Democratic Party team of candidates. The vote was tied between Bruce and Yukon Party incumbent Esau Schafer, and Bruce won when his name was pulled out of a hat. In February 1997, the Yukon Supreme Court overturned the results and Bruce won in the byelection. He did not stand for re-election in 2000 where Pat Duncan’s Liberals won. Robert Bruce was known as a quiet, respectful man who devoted his life to ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.¹⁾