YT Government: COVID-19 Recovery Research Program – Results from round one

The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon are pleased to announce the results from the first call for proposals under the Yukon COVID-19 Recovery Research Program. This program offers a total of $1 million in funding for research that increases our understanding of the social, cultural, environmental, economic and health impacts of COVID-19 in the Yukon.

The first call for proposals closed on March 31, 2021, and resulted in funding for seven projects with a combined budget of $454,000. Recipients include Yukon First Nation governments and organizations, non-profit organizations and private and academic researchers. Project timelines range from one to two years for completion.

A second invitational call for proposals is currently underway, with notices of decisions planned for the week of February 21. A targeted call, inviting proposals that address specific research questions is planned for the New Year.

The research funded from these calls will support pandemic-related planning and decision-making needs of the Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada, First Nations governments and communities and other Yukon organizations.

The COVID-19 Recovery Research Program is helping us better understand how the pandemic has affected our communities and how to advance recovery while keeping Yukoners healthy and safe. These projects will provide the evidence needed to make better decisions that will help strengthen collaboration between researchers and decision makers.

Premier Sandy Silver

Helping establish the Yukon COVID-19 Recovery Research Program supports the Government of Canada’s number one priority of getting the COVID-19 pandemic under control and building a better future. The program will help increase our collective understanding of the various impacts of the pandemic on the lives of Yukoners while building a healthier, more resilient and prosperous North, for the benefit of all Canadians.

The Honourable Daniel Vandal, P.C., M.P., Minister of Northern Affairs

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on the well-being of families, individuals, and businesses. From mental health to food security; from emergency preparedness to housing and homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable, the recipients of the COVID-19 Recovery Research funding are working to ensure that Yukon and Canada are prepared for a future emergency or pandemic. I congratulate all funding recipients for their dedication and commitment to this work.

Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon

Quick facts

• Partnership and collaboration have been encouraged for this funding opportunity, both among Yukon organizations as well as with southern researchers or organizations whose expertise and capacity may complement that of a Yukon-based partner.
• The COVID-19 Recovery Research Program objectives are to:
  • provide evidence that informs decision-making and planning, and contributes to the broader COVID-19 recovery efforts in Yukon;
  • ensure Indigenous knowledge, values and perspectives, Indigenous knowledge keepers and Indigenous researchers are reflected in the governance of this program and in the funded research projects;
  • strengthen understanding of COVID-19 impacts and recovery pathways for individuals, businesses, governments and communities in Yukon;
  • enhance the capacity of Yukon’s science community by providing  opportunities for local researchers, emphasizing the role of Indigenous knowledge keepers and researchers, and attracting outside expertise to Yukon; and
  • increase coordination, networking and partnerships between researchers and decision-makers.
• Contact the Office of the Science Advisor at osa@gov.yk.ca for more information on previous, current and upcoming calls.

Backgrounder

Yukon COVID-19 Recovery Research Program Round 1 funding recipients

Selkirk First Nation was awarded $70,300 to study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Selkirk First Nation’s traditional food-related pursuits. This research will both highlight the adaptability of Selkirk First Nation to the pandemic-related adversities, and offer direction for future programming and support decisions.

The Firelight Group, working in partnership with Tr’ondëk Hwëchin First Nation, was awarded $75,000 for their project ‘Enhancing access for rural Yukon First Nations citizens to culturally appropriate mental health supports during COVID recovery’. This research will build Yukon’s understanding of the challenges that First Nations citizens may encounter in accessing culturally sensitive supports during the pandemic, and inform recommendations for these supports through the recovery period.

Council of Yukon First Nations was awarded $75,000 for their project ‘Yukon First Nation Emergency Response – Through a First Nation COVID-19 Response Team’. This research will address questions about implementation of emergency measures in the context of Yukon First Nations self-government, using lessons from the current pandemic to inform ongoing collaboration and decision-making.

Yukon Status of Women Council, in partnership with Dr. Fiona McPhail of University of Northern British Columbia, was awarded $75,000 for the study ‘The impacts of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of women in the Yukon: towards a resilient and inclusive recovery’. This research will examine the gendered impacts of the pandemic on women’s market and non-market based work, and will offer guidance for policies and programs that support resilient and inclusive recovery.

Lakehead University has been awarded $74,800 to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of educators in Yukon. This research will look at the pandemic response in Yukon schools and how the measures may have affected the day-to-day activities and well-being of educators. This understanding will support program and policy decisions for educator supports during and post-pandemic.

Kari Johnston, working with co-lead Mark Andrachuk, has been awarded $74,830 for ‘The Yukon Entrepreneur Adaptability Project: Business Model Transitions during the COVID-19 Pandemic’. This research will build our understanding of how businesses have adapted their models throughout the pandemic, and what may be needed to support entrepreneurs through the recovery period.

Queer Yukon Society has been awarded $8,999 for the research project ‘Understanding COVID-19 Impact on Housing Insecurity among LGBTQIA2S+ Yukoners”. This research will look at what existing research tells us about housing-related hardships that LGBTQIA2S+ Yukoners face, and will reflect on impacts of COVID-19 on housing and related factors for the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Contact

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

Myra Nicks
Communications, Executive Council Office
867-667-5339
myra.nicks@yukon.ca

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca

NT5