She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she obtained an associate degree in electronics technology in 1970 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1973.
[1] Before entering politics, Buckway worked at the CBC from 1974 to 1997 as a radio announcer and a union negotiator.
She left the position to pursue a career in real estate and later worked as an office manager at a veterinary clinic.
[2][3] Buckway was elected to represent the riding of Lake Laberge in a by-election in 1999 as a member of the Yukon Liberal Party following the resignation of Doug Livingston from the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
[6] Buckway retained the seat in the 2000 election, which saw the Yukon Liberal Party form government.