The Community Development Fund has awarded $1,757,704 in funding towards 22 community projects across the Yukon. These projects contribute economic, cultural and social benefits to their communities by providing Yukoners across the territory with invaluable opportunities and resources.
The Youth of Today Society has secured support to organize a youth summit, while Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Yukon has received funding for a pilot project focused on music-based mentoring. These initiatives represent only a couple of the recent recipients of Tier 1 and Tier 3 funding. Funding is allocated across three tiers based on application deadlines and project funding availability.
The next deadline to apply for Tier 1 funding, for projects $20,000 and under, is July 17, 2023. The next application deadline for Tier 2 funding, for projects between $20,001 and $75,000, is September 15, 2023. The next application deadline for Tier 3 funding, for projects over $75,000, is January 15, 2024.
The recent Community Development Fund-supported projects contribute to economic growth, cultural resilience and social well-being throughout the territory. Recognizing the essential role each of us plays in building strong and resilient communities, our government takes pride in supporting Yukoners and local organizations. Together, we are driving grassroots initiatives that aim to strengthen and empower our communities, fostering a strong, sustainable future for generations to come.
Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai
We express our deepest appreciation to the Community Development Fund for their generous funding of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yukon's (BBBSY) Mentoring through Music Program. By tapping into our community's wealth of interest in music and the arts, BBBSY has established a dynamic group mentoring platform which expresses care, expands possibilities, and promotes a culture of community and inclusion. The Community Development Fund’s support has played an instrumental role in providing this nurturing environment for mentor and mentee alike. On behalf of all our staff and volunteers, thank you for helping us strike a chord of positive change which resonates throughout our community!
Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yukon Ben Johnston-Urey
The Community Development Fund provides funding for projects, events and initiatives that offer long-term, sustainable, cultural, social and economic benefits for Yukon communities.
Funding is divided into three tiers with the following application deadlines:
- Tier 1: Applications of $20,000 or less on January 15, May 15, July 15 and October 15.
- Tier 2: Applications between $20,001 and $75,000 on April 15 and September 15.
- Tier 3: Applications over $75,000 on January 15.
This funding is awarded for the January 2023 Tier 1 and Tier 3 intakes of the Community Development Fund.
The Community Development Fund has awarded $153,262 in Tier 1 funding towards 12 projects that promote social, cultural and economic benefits to Yukoners.
Church of St Christopher – $13,459: To replace existing unsafe steps at the church’s front entrance and to refurbish the existing signage including the church sign, Thrift Store sign and the interpretive sign for the building. Many community groups use the church as a place to gather and hold events and this complete replacement will allow for continued community involvement in the space. Contact: Mark Ritchie 867-335-2943
Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation – $14,040: To develop a business case and funding model for an on-the-land healing facility within the traditional territory of the Ross River Dena Council. Contact: Karen Furling 867-332-1270
North Klondike Community Association – $4,200: To build a signboard for the Grizzly Valley-North Subdivision. The signboard will be used to promote community activities and opportunities as well as raise awareness of community needs. Contact: Maggie Squires Cobbett 250-661-9215
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Yukon – $18,851: To run a pilot project that allows for mentoring through music. Mentors and mentees will be paired to participate in two 10-week programming blocks, where music instructors will facilitate ensemble rehearsals, group music, and art-oriented activities. Music mentoring creates a healthy outlet for creative expression, boosts academic performance, increases confidence and self-esteem, and develops motor and visual learning skills. Contact: Ben Johnson-Urey 867-668-7911
Association franco-yukonnaise – $2,790: To host an event for the day of the francophone. This project supports the vitality of the French community in Yukon. The fête de la francophonie (day of the francophone) will be the first large gathering hosted by Association franco-yukonnaise in a post-pandemic restriction setting, allowing people to once again gather and reconnect. Contact: Virginie Hamel 867-335-7251
Selkirk First Nation – $18,400: To complete research and planning to develop an active-use, multi-season, all-ages trail for the community of Pelly Crossing. This project will collect input from community members to make a final recommendation on what a suitable trail system would look like. It will also allow Selkirk First Nation to make an informed decision before moving forward with beginning construction. Contact: Tara Roberts 867-537-3331
Youth of Today Society – $20,000: To host the 2023 Yukon Youth Summit, uniting young people from across the territory. The summit will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual and will include performances and showcases, events hosted by local community organizations and programs, an awards dinner, a mini career fair, breakout rooms for conversations about youth-identified priorities, and a review of the Territory Youth Strategy. This event works to empower youth to organize, network, learn and make a difference in their communities. Contact: Lancelot Burton 867-333-9219
Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition – $15,280: To train citizens to grow and preserve their own food in Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition’s backyard garden. This project supports individuals who are at high risk of food insecurity, teaching useful skills that can be used for years to come. Contact: Kristina Craig 867-334-9318
Yukon Trappers Association – $6,077: To host a one-day 50th anniversary event to raise awareness about trapping in the Yukon and to celebrate the territory’s trapping history and future. This Fur Extravaganza event will allow Yukoner’s throughout the territory to make in-person connections with artists and individuals interested in learning about the trade. Contact: Sonja Seeber 867-667-7091
Cycling Association of Yukon – $20,000: To hire an event coordinator to organize the Canadian Cross-Country Marathon Mountain bike championships. This will be the first national mountain biking event hosted in the Yukon and will attract hundreds of athletes, volunteers and spectators. Large sporting events play a critical role in developing athletes in communities and will allow the Yukon to be showcased to many. Contact: Geof Harries 867-336-7771
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun – $11,623: To complete the outdoor rink in the C-6 subdivision and purchase skating equipment. This project will offer year-round accessible recreation and exercise opportunities within walking distance of the subdivision. Contact: Carolene Lucas 879-996-2267
Haines Junction Community Association – $8,542: To purchase equipment, create signage and update the manual to invigorate and restart the farmer’s market in Haines Junction. This project allows the Haines Junction Community Association to accommodate more local vendors who are interested in participating in the market. Contact: Joanne Thomas 867-334-5082
The Community Development Fund has awarded $1,604,442 in Tier 3 funding towards 10 projects that promote social, cultural and economic benefits to Yukoners.
Kaushee’s Place Housing – $250,000: To upgrade the kitchen, bathroom, and flooring in five apartments in Kaushee’s Place Building. Services available at Kaushee’s Place are in high demand. The age and wear and tear of the apartments renders them regularly unavailable for clients. This project supports some of Yukon’s most vulnerable people and will allow Kaushee’s Place to continue to offer essential services to the public. Contact: Barbara McInerney 867-668-7722
Signpost Seniors Association – $275,000: To repair and maintain the roof of the building that houses Signpost Seniors offices and hall, Watson Lake Daycare and Watson Lake Food Bank. This project will allow the building to continue to be used for social gatherings, recreational programming and celebrations. Contact: Sue Rudd 867-536-2929
Fiddleheads Yukon Organization – $105,646: To bring together top fiddlers from across Canada and youth fiddlers from across the North for showcases, workshops, concerts and a national fiddle competition. Fiddleheads Yukon Organization will participate and organize a series of events across Canada. This project promotes the arts and the unique fiddling culture in the North. Contact: Keitha Clarke and Boyd Benjamin 867-333-1981
Liard First Nation – $161,500: To restore the Dena Cho Trail from Watson Lake towards Ross River. This project promotes an opportunity to connect to Kaska culture as well as opportunities for Yukoners and out-of-territory tourists to learn about the Kaska peoples and the history of the land. Contact: Katherine Durocher 867-536-6767
The Teslin Historical & Museum Society – $250,000: To complete a roof upgrade on the George Johnston Museum. The proposed retrofit avoids temporary rehousing of the collection and will allow the museum to continue operating throughout the summer season. The museum itself is a cornerstone for the community and the roof repair will allow it to operate safely for many years to come. Contact: Ryan Durack 515-616-7225
Ta’an Kwachan Council (TKC) – $110,000: To complete upgrades to Helen’s Fish Camp to serve the social, wellness, family and cultural needs of the Ta’an Kwach’an citizens. Renovating this space will allow for cultural activities and programming to bring TKC citizens together. Upgrades include mitigations to future risk of flooding to allow for longevity of the space. Contact: Matthew Dickson 867-668-3613 ext. 501
Whitehorse Aboriginal Women’s Circle – $86,000: To create a pilot program to support people struggling with grief and loss caused by addiction. The program will be grounded in Indigenous harm reduction principles and will include weekly workshops, peer support, land-based healing camps, overnight camps and regular weekly meetings. Contact: Natalie Taylor 867-668-7532
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun (FNNND) – $164,000: To create an all-inclusive multi-platform Northern Tutchone Language App that can be used to support language revitalization programming for all citizens. The app will contain audio recordings of Northern Tutchone words and phrases, other audio recordings, lyrics of Northern Tutchone songs, culturally relevant species, and more. It will be available free of charge to all residents of Mayo and FNNND citizens and can be downloaded so as to not require internet access for use. Contact: Carolene Lucas 867-996-2267
Mayo Volunteer Fire Department Association – $100,296: To develop a plan to design and build a bike track. This project will involve youth throughout the creation of the bike track, from the initial design to the final build. This will create a new green space and assist in the long-term plan of creating a featured gathering spot. Contact: Ian Spencer 867-996-4302
Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation (LSCFN) – $102,000: To upgrade a ballfield and add an adjacent playground. The upgrades will allow LSCFN to expand the type, number and size of events that they can host. This project opens the door to potentially introduce new programming in the future. This benefits not only the community of Carmacks, but the Yukon as a whole. Contact: George Skookum 867-863-5576
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Linnea Blum
Communications, Economic Development
867-332-2625
linnea.blum@yukon.ca