Indigenous-led detox and healing centre planned for Whitehorse – CBC

Dec 06, 2023

Letter of intent signed this week in Ottawa ‘an important first step,’ says Council of Yukon First Nations

A new Indigenous-led detox and healing centre is being planned for the Whitehorse area, and the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) hopes to see it built within a few years.

This week in Ottawa, CYFN, along with the federal and territorial governments, signed a letter of intent “to confirm their commitment to collectively work toward the construction and operation of a Yukon First Nations-led Healing Centre,” according to a news release.

Shadelle Chambers, executive director of CYFN, said the letter is significant as it helps get the project off the ground.

“It’s an important first step I think, in ensuring that there is the political will to get the project started and rolling,” Chambers said.

“There currently is not a residential treatment centre here in the Yukon led by Yukon First Nations. And we’re often having to send people out of the Yukon or wait for long waiting periods.”

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-indigenous-detox-treatment-centre-1.7050175