Yukon First Nations governments, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services are pleased to announce their commitment to a new initiative called Honouring Connections.
Honouring Connections is a collaborative process developed to address the systemic over-representation of First Nations children in the child-welfare system. This process is an important aspect of reconciliation. Children and youth currently in continuing care of the Director will be reconnected to family, community and culture.
Honouring Connections proposes guiding principles for a collaborative reconnection process, created in equal partnership with the goal of improving outcomes for Yukon First Nations children and youth.
The initiative is intended to promote reunification with family, community and culture and to collaboratively develop reconnection case plans with supports. As partners, we are implementing evaluation methods to track progress and monitor the impact of reconnection.
Honouring Connections supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #1, which calls for all levels of government to commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care. The Government of Yukon, Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments commit to working together to create a better future for Yukon children, youth, families and communities.
Honouring Connections is a collaborative process developed to address systemic issues with First Nations youth in care and advance reconciliation. By focusing on maintaining traditional family structures and culture within First Nations communities we can help our young people receive the support they need to live healthy lives.
Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost
Yukon First Nation children in care need our support so that they can grow into healthy adults with confidence and purpose. Connecting them with family, community and culture will help remind them who they are, where they came from, and that they belong. This joint initiative is extremely important to the health of our children and our communities.
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston
As of October 31, 2019, 83 per cent of children in care in Yukon were First Nations Citizens.
Honouring Connections is a collaboration between the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations and Council of Yukon First Nations to address the number of youth under a Continuing Custody Order with Child and Family Services.
58 First Nations children in Yukon were under a Continuing Custody Order as of October 31, 2019.
Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca
Patricia Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3673
patricia.living@gov.yk.ca
Juliann Fraser
Communications, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext. 9223
juliann.fraser@cyfn.net