83 Percent of Children in Care are First Nations – The Honouring Connections Program Aims to Change That

Thursday, 12 December 2019 16:37

The announcement was made today at CYFN. The announcement panel, from left to right is Leann Kayseas, Pauline Frost, Peter Johnston and , Shadelle Chambers

A new initiative for first nations children in the child welfare system is being rolled out. Yukon First Nations governments, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services announced a new initiative on supporting First Nation children in care.

The commitment, called Honouring Connections is a process that addresses the systematic over-representation of First Nation children in the child welfare system. The initiative promotes reunification with family, community and culture. According to Minister Pauline Frost, the first priority will be reunification of children with parents; if that is not possible, they will be reunified with extended family. If neither option is feasible then comprehensive cultural plans will be created for the child.

Council of First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston spoke about the long-term significance of the initiative. According to Johnston connections are very important to who First Nations people are, but some of that has been taken away over the last hundred years. Johnston believes that by providing connections for children who might otherwise lose a chance to know their culture, this program will result in healthier adults as well. According to the Grand Chief the more children have the ability to know who they are and where they come from, the more that they grow up with a sense of responsibility and accountability to the world, and indeed a stronger meaning to their lives.

The Honouring Connections supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to Action #1 which calls for all levels of government to commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care. Speakers at today’s press conference made it clear that several levels of government would be working together, but that significant powers, especially in the creation of cultural plans for children, would be given to the local First Nations Governments.

As of October 31^st, 83 per cent of children in care in Yukon were First Nation citizens; 58 first nations children are under continuing care custody orders. This initiative is meant to address this imbalance and support reunification and cultural connections.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Whitehorse Emergency Shelter Sees Another Tragic Death, Family Demands Answers

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her Step father.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
Yukon government accused of budgeting interference

Letters from three independent officers of the assembly question Management Board for changing budgets after approval.
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.