Government of Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations announce collaborative community health and wellness planning

January 7, 2025

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations.

The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), is launching a comprehensive engagement process to develop community health and wellness plans with rural communities.

The Government of Yukon has provided funding to CYFN to increase capacity and work with Yukon First Nations in the creation of these community plans. The engagement will include discussions with Yukon First Nations, municipal governments, local health service providers, Indigenous organizations, including Indigenous women’s organizations, other non-government organizations and the public. These plans will identify locally relevant health and wellness priorities and will inform the development of the 10-year Yukon Health and Wellness Plan.

Under the new Health Authority Act, Shäw Kwä’ą is required to consider the provisions of the Community Health and Wellness Plans when developing its Strategic Plan. This connection between community health and wellness plans and the 10-year system-level plan ensures that community health priorities inform the broader Yukon Health and Wellness Plan, promoting coherence and consistency in achieving the shared vision of improved health outcomes across Yukon.

The development of community health and wellness plans will emphasize inclusivity, cultural safety, and shared responsibility. Phase 1 will focus on defining wellness and identifying priorities, while Phase 2 will involve presenting draft plans for community validation and feedback before finalization.

Community health and wellness plans align with government commitments to improve health care integration and enhance accessibility. This initiative supports key strategies for health and social services including the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy, Aging in Place Strategy, the LGBTQ2S+ Action Plan, Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ People Strategy and other significant action plans.

This new partnership between the Government of Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations marks a significant step in shaping the future of health and wellness across rural communities. By engaging with First Nations, local governments, and health care providers, we are helping ensure that community-driven priorities guide the development of a comprehensive, long-term health plan. This initiative will promote inclusivity, cultural safety, and shared responsibility, placing the voices of Yukoners at the heart of the path toward improved health outcomes through community wellness plans.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

We are excited that this initiative prioritizes culturally safe and tailored engagement, making sure every community’s voice is heard while shaping their health and wellness priorities. We are looking forward to engaging with communities to co-create plans that include local knowledge and cultural relevance.

Chair of the Chiefs Committee on Health Chief Pauline Frost

Quick facts

• The Community Health and Wellness Plans will be co-designed with community members including representatives from Yukon First Nations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, including Indigenous women’s organizations and health providers.
• Engagement activities will include culturally safe and equitable processes tailored to each community’s needs.
• The work will begin with outreach to communities to coordinate engagements, beginning in early 2025.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca

Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9576
Nigel.Allan@yukon.ca

Roni-Sue Sparvier
Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext.9223
communications@cyfn.net

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