In November of 2023, the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) signed a joint letter accusing the Yukon government of not doing enough to address the state of emergency that was declared in Mayo last March by the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND).
On Jan. 12, the Yukon government responded, via email, to questions from the News with a series of statements regarding the response letter sent to the AYC and CYFN by Premier Ranj Pillai in December 2023.
In his letter, Pillai said the Yukon government had “started engagement” with the FNNND on community safety planning. When asked to provide concrete examples of that planning, Jasmine Doll, senior communications analyst with the government, provided examples that pre-dated the state of emergency in Mayo. These included the first phase of a community safety planning program, launched in 2022, to provide funding that “assists Yukon First Nations governments in fostering safer and healthier communities in ways that work best for individual First Nations.”
Doll did not confirm whether Mayo was involved in the program.
Pillai’s letter also mentioned working on a community wellness plan initiative ” … as recommended in the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy.”
“We are working to complete necessary preparatory work over the coming weeks and look forward to sharing next steps in the near future about how these plans will be developed and incorporate a diversity of voices,” said his letter.
Doll’s email said the government is recruiting for an additional Mental Wellness Support Worker in Mayo. She did not respond to questions about why preparatory work is beginning nearly a year after the state of emergency was declared.
She said the government held a session in Mayo on Jan. 16 about how the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) program might benefit the community.
“SCAN is currently operating in the Village of Mayo and on First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun traditional territory,” she said.
“SCAN investigations are discreet in nature. If a complaint is made, the SCAN Unit investigates and considers whether the specified activity is habitual in nature and adversely affects the community. The SCAN Unit may take action to resolve a complaint through a conversational warning, a formal warning letter or written agreement, an eviction notice on behalf of the landlord, or by applying to the Supreme Court of Yukon for a Community Safety Order.”
No one from the AYC or CYFN was available to comment.
Contact Amy Kenny at amy.kenny@yukon-news.com