Latest news with #Connective
CBC
12-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Yukon health minister expresses confidence in shelter operator amid calls to end its gov't contract
The Yukon's minister of health and social services expressed her continued trust in the Connective Support Society on Tuesday, amid calls for the territorial government to end its contract with the organization. Connective has been running the Whitehorse emergency shelter at 405 Alexander St., along with the housing units above it, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations since 2022. Its contract was set to expire at the end of the month. However, the Yukon government has extended the deal to the end of June. Last April, a coroners' inquest examined the deaths of four women at the shelter. There have been a number of deaths at the shelter since. These deaths have prompted loved ones and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun to demand that Connective be fired. "Any deaths or serious incidents where people are injured is not acceptable," Tracy-Anne McPhee, the health minister, told reporters after Question Period on Tuesday. "But Connective are experts in their field. They are. And they deserve our confidence as well," she said. "What they do is commit to this community.… They've committed to bringing their expertise and to assisting the individuals at the shelter." McPhee said the non-profit organization has also committed to improvement and that extending its contract was to ensure stability. "The risk of changing a vendor at this time, or an operator for 405 Alexander is a risk to real people," she said, adding that Connective could "likely" still be running the shelter in three months. The minister said the short-term extension includes stronger oversight, operational improvements and enhanced accountability measures to improve safety. The issue of oversight was what the NDP's Annie Blake wanted to better understand. "What does that mean for the government or who's going to be responsible for having that extra oversight with Connective running the shelter for an additional three months?" asked Blake, who represents the Vuntut-Gwitchin riding. McPhee said as part of its transfer payment agreement with Connective, the Yukon Government is required to monitor and ensure its goals for the shelter are met. In mid-April, the government is set to host a summit with Yukon First Nations governments. That summit will be for developing a long-term sheltering strategy, including how to improve the programs and services at 405 Alexander. That summit could also include discussions about the facility's approach to harm reduction, specifically the level of accommodation for alcohol and substance use. Currently, the shelter operates on a "low-barrier" model, which Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon said needs to change. The party has repeatedly blamed the shelter's "permissive" policy on intoxicants as a key contributor to problems like crime and public nuisances. Dixon called for changing to a "higher-barrier" model, though specifics would need to be ironed out with stakeholders. "The way that the shelter is working right now is not serving the best needs of Yukoners. It's not serving the needs of those who are clients of the facility," Dixon said.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Yukon government gives Whitehorse shelter operator three-month contract extension
The Yukon government has extended its contract with the non-profit organization that runs the Whitehorse emergency shelter for an additional three months. The announcement comes as one First Nation is decrying "repeated Indigenous deaths" at the shelter and calling for the non-profit, the Connective Support Society, to be fired — a call echoed by family members of a woman who died there in December. Connective's current contract for 405 Alexander St., including both the emergency shelter and the long-term housing units above, was set to expire at the end of the month. However, the Yukon government announced in a news release Monday that it would be extended until June 30. The release says that the government will work with Connective, the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and First Nation governments "to refine the long-term framework for shelter and housing services, improve culturally relevant programming, safety and on-site services" over the additional three-month period. It also says the government will organize a summit "to identify how the model can change inside 405 Alexander to better meet client and community needs." "This short-term extension ensures the continued delivery of critical shelter and housing services for these and other vulnerable Yukoners as we determine long-term solutions for this critical service," the release says. The Yukon government would not make anyone available for an interview Monday. Connective, in partnership with CYFN, took over shelter operations from the Yukon government in October 2022. The building was previously run by the Salvation Army from its opening in 2017 until 2019. The property has since been plagued by controversy, including over the growing number of people who have died while using shelter services or visiting residents in the housing units. The Yukon Coroner's Service held an inquest held last April after four First Nations women died at the shelter within the span of 15 months, with the jury issuing eight recommendations. At least three people died at 405 Alexander in the months following the inquest's conclusion, two of them within a two-week span in December. Among them was 21-year-old Carmen Melancon, who died Dec. 30 of a suspected overdose in a long-term housing unit at the shelter. Her death and the ongoing impact on her community prompted her First Nation to call on the government last week to fire Connective, "without further delay." "These repeated Indigenous deaths are unacceptable, and they need to stop now," the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) said in a statement. "Connective is out of chances." The statement was strongly supported by Melancon's family, including cousin Karen Nicloux. Nicloux, who had urged the government to not renew Connective's contract, said in an emotional interview Monday that she was "very disappointed" to learn that the government had, in fact, extended it. "I'm so sad because I just keep thinking, 'How many more have to die?'" she said. "How many people are going to die in the next three months?" Nicloux, who has worked with shelter users, said she wanted to issue a challenge to CYFN and Yukon government officials, including the premier, to visit the shelter unannounced. "Dress down, walk into the shelter in the evenings and see what goes on for yourself," she said. "Walk around the backyard. Walk through the dining hall, walk through the TV room, and check the bathrooms.... Enough is enough."
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Yukon First Nation calls for Whitehorse shelter operator to be fired in wake of citizen's death
The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun is calling for the Yukon government to get rid of the non-profit organization running the Whitehorse emergency shelter in the wake of a citizen's death — a demand echoed by the deceased's family. Carmen Melancon, 21, died of a suspected overdose in a long-term housing unit at the shelter on Dec. 30, 2024, the latest in a string of deaths at 405 Alexander St. in recent years. "These repeated Indigenous deaths are unacceptable, and they need to stop now," the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) said in a recent statement. "FNNND is calling on Yukon Government to fire its shelter operator, Connective Support Society, without further delay. The primary emergency shelter in Yukon's largest urban centre requires management that respects the value of Indigenous lives… Connective is out of chances." Connective, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations, took over the emergency shelter and housing units above it in October 2022. The building was previously run by the Yukon government, who in turn took it over from the Salvation Army in 2019. A number of people have died there since, with a coroner's inquest held last year on the deaths of four First Nations women within the span of 15 months. The jury issued eight recommendations, including that independent review to be held on every death at the shelter. FNNND called for a review on Melancon's death to begin immediately. "It is unacceptable that individuals seeking refuge, support, and help, are instead facing life-threatening conditions," the statement added. "[Yukon Government] must take immediate, robust action to provide answers and accountability for the deaths that have occurred already, and to ensure no other lives are lost." FNNND Chief Dawna Hope was not available for comment. However, two of Melancon's relatives said they were proud of their First Nation for speaking up. Melancon's cousin, Karen Nicloux, said she cried when she first read the statement. "I felt the overwhelming sense of relief that we're finally being heard," she said. "I'm just really encouraging all the First Nations leaders to support this because too many of our people have died and we are not disposable." Melancon's aunt and godmother, Alla Blysak, also supported her First Nation's call. "I just don't see Connective staff and the shelter as a safe place," she said. "Our family is saying, 'No more victims.'" Connective's current contract for the shelter expires at the end of the month. Both Nicloux and Blysak said it should not be renewed. Update on 'relationship with Connective' coming soon, premier says The shelter was among the topics discussed at last week's Yukon Forum, a regular closed-door meeting between territorial government and First Nations leaders. Premier Ranj Pillai, at a press conference after the forum Friday, acknowledged FNNND's statement but said he hadn't had a chance to have a "dialogue" with the First Nation yet. While Pillai said the government was not "firing" Connective and did not directly answer a question about whether its contract would be renewed, he acknowledged that improvements at the shelter were needed. "We'll make a comment very shortly on what's happening with the relationship with Connective," he said, adding that forum discussions included how the shelter model can change, having a "more multi-tiered approach to what's happening inside" and "ensuring that we have a number of entities that are represented in the operations of the shelter." The government is also looking at making the housing units above the emergency shelter "high-barrier," alcohol-and-drug-free spaces, Pillai said, and will bring Yukon First Nations leaders together in the spring to discuss other potential changes. Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston, at the same press conference, distanced the council from the day-to-day operations at 405 Alexander, saying that it was there to "provide some cultural support" but that its partnership with Connective was otherwise "pretty limited." A Connective spokesperson, asked for comment on both the contract renewal and FNNND's statement, deferred comment to the Yukon government. Shelter 'could be such a beautiful place' Nicloux and Blysak, in their interview, said that they wanted to see the shelter handed over to either Yukon First Nations or back to Salvation Army, both of which they believe have the experience and empathy to properly serve the community. Nicloux has worked for organizations that support people who use the shelter, and said she regularly witnesses open alcohol and drug consumption there, with staff unequipped or unqualified for frontline work. That, she said, has created an increasingly unsafe environment that can worsen issues like trauma and addiction. "I've said it over and over again — that shelter could be such a beautiful place," Nicloux said. "But it will not function well under [the Yukon government] and Connective. They've got to go." Blysak, meanwhile, described what was happening at the shelter as a continuation of the trauma caused by residential schools, with people "feeling helpless and hopeless all over again." Melancon, Blysak said, was in an abusive relationship that involved substance use, and while her family tried to help her, that was "very hard" when she could "go into a facility such as the shelter, walk by everybody, go upstairs" and get drugs. "Where was the staff? Where was everybody? Where was the help? Where was the safety plan?" Blysak asked. She remembered her niece as a beautiful, vibrant young woman who always left thank-you notes for everyone, who loved getting her eyelashes and nails done and who was close with her parents and sisters. Melancon also liked pranks and dancing, Blysak said, and was a hard worker, who saved enough money to buy her own car at 17. A beaded pin featuring a picture of Carmen Melancon, who died of a suspected overdose in a long-term housing unit in the Whitehorse emergency shelter building on Dec. 30, 2024. The pins were gifted to members of Melancon's family, who say the Yukon government should not renew shelter operator Connective's contract after it expires at the end of the month. (Karen Nicloux/submitted) After Melancon's death, some women in the community made beaded pins with her picture and gifted them to her relatives. Blysak said she often wears her pin of Melancon over her heart. "We'll bring her with us when we're fighting for a much safer shelter and much safer streets for everyone," Blysak said.
CBC
10-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Yukon First Nation calls for Whitehorse shelter operator to be fired in wake of citizen's death
The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun is calling for the Yukon government to get rid of the non-profit organization running the Whitehorse emergency shelter in the wake of a citizen's death — a demand echoed by the deceased's family. Carmen Melancon, 21, died of a suspected overdose in a long-term housing unit at the shelter on Dec. 30, 2024, the latest in a string of deaths at 405 Alexander St. in recent years. "These repeated Indigenous deaths are unacceptable, and they need to stop now," the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) said in a recent statement. "FNNND is calling on Yukon Government to fire its shelter operator, Connective Support Society, without further delay. The primary emergency shelter in Yukon's largest urban centre requires management that respects the value of Indigenous lives… Connective is out of chances." Connective, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations, took over the emergency shelter and housing units above it in October 2022. The building was previously run by the Yukon government, who in turn took it over from the Salvation Army in 2019. A number of people have died there since, with a coroner's inquest held last year on the deaths of four First Nations women within the span of 15 months. The jury issued eight recommendations, including that independent review to be held on every death at the shelter. FNNND called for a review on Melancon's death to begin immediately. "It is unacceptable that individuals seeking refuge, support, and help, are instead facing life-threatening conditions," the statement added. "[Yukon Government] must take immediate, robust action to provide answers and accountability for the deaths that have occurred already, and to ensure no other lives are lost." FNNND Chief Dawna Hope was not available for comment. However, two of Melancon's relatives said they were proud of their First Nation for speaking up. Melancon's cousin, Karen Nicloux, said she cried when she first read the statement. "I felt the overwhelming sense of relief that we're finally being heard," she said. "I'm just really encouraging all the First Nations leaders to support this because too many of our people have died and we are not disposable." Melancon's aunt and godmother, Alla Blysak, also supported her First Nation's call. "I just don't see Connective staff and the shelter as a safe place," she said. "Our family is saying, 'No more victims.'" Connective's current contract for the shelter expires at the end of the month. Both Nicloux and Blysak said it should not be renewed. Update on 'relationship with Connective' coming soon, premier says The shelter was among the topics discussed at last week's Yukon Forum, a regular closed-door meeting between territorial government and First Nations leaders. Premier Ranj Pillai, at a press conference after the forum Friday, acknowledged FNNND's statement but said he hadn't had a chance to have a "dialogue" with the First Nation yet. While Pillai said the government was not "firing" Connective and did not directly answer a question about whether its contract would be renewed, he acknowledged that improvements at the shelter were needed. "We'll make a comment very shortly on what's happening with the relationship with Connective," he said, adding that forum discussions included how the shelter model can change, having a "more multi-tiered approach to what's happening inside" and "ensuring that we have a number of entities that are represented in the operations of the shelter." The government is also looking at making the housing units above the emergency shelter "high-barrier," alcohol-and-drug-free spaces, Pillai said, and will bring Yukon First Nations leaders together in the spring to discuss other potential changes. Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston, at the same press conference, distanced the council from the day-to-day operations at 405 Alexander, saying that it was there to "provide some cultural support" but that its partnership with Connective was otherwise "pretty limited." A Connective spokesperson, asked for comment on both the contract renewal and FNNND's statement, deferred comment to the Yukon government. Shelter 'could be such a beautiful place' Nicloux and Blysak, in their interview, said that they wanted to see the shelter handed over to either Yukon First Nations or back to Salvation Army, both of which they believe have the experience and empathy to properly serve the community. Nicloux has worked for organizations that support people who use the shelter, and said she regularly witnesses open alcohol and drug consumption there, with staff unequipped or unqualified for frontline work. That, she said, has created an increasingly unsafe environment that can worsen issues like trauma and addiction. "I've said it over and over again — that shelter could be such a beautiful place," Nicloux said. "But it will not function well under [the Yukon government] and Connective. They've got to go." Blysak, meanwhile, described what was happening at the shelter as a continuation of the trauma caused by residential schools, with people "feeling helpless and hopeless all over again." Melancon, Blysak said, was in an abusive relationship that involved substance use, and while her family tried to help her, that was "very hard" when she could "go into a facility such as the shelter, walk by everybody, go upstairs" and get drugs. "Where was the staff? Where was everybody? Where was the help? Where was the safety plan?" Blysak asked. She remembered her niece as a beautiful, vibrant young woman who always left thank-you notes for everyone, who loved getting her eyelashes and nails done and who was close with her parents and sisters. Melancon also liked pranks and dancing, Blysak said, and was a hard worker, who saved enough money to buy her own car at 17. After Melancon's death, some women in the community made beaded pins with her picture and gifted them to her relatives. Blysak said she often wears her pin of Melancon over her heart.
