SPRING/SUMMER 2008

TALKING ABOUT LAND CLAIMS

Revitalising a Carving Tradition Creating a healthy community does not “It’s a celebration of culture really, with a simply mean preventing disease. A healthy healthy influence from Keith Smarch, who is community is a group of people with a strong modeling behaviours and traditions consistent sense of pride in their culture and each other. with our virtues and values regarding the proper treatment of the wood. The elders blessed the The Carcross/ First Nation (CTFN) wood and made the first cut,” explains Ferbey. Carver Training Program hopes to build community health by reinforcing a strong The program is expected to continue in connection to Carcross Tagish culture among the summer, with the construction of a carving CTFN members. shed in downtown Carcross. WHAT’S “This is about revitalising a culture,” says For more information contact: INSIDE? Justin Ferbey, senior government official of Carcross/Tagish First Nation at the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. “It is about (867) 821-4251 Revitalising a Carving allowing local artists to make a living with Tradition their art, and it is about providing a healthy “This is about revitalising a Studying Northern social space where people can congregate Food Security and engage in our traditions.” culture. It is about allowing local Health Initiatives at the With funding from Indian and Northern artists to make a living with Council of Yukon First Affairs (INAC), CTFN’s carver training Nations program brings together master carver Keith their art and, it is about providing Wolf-Smarch and six carvers who are members Regional Longitudinal of CTFN. The group is exploring and studying a healthy social space where Health Study their traditional art by carving a series of Inland people can congregate and Networking to Promote totem poles that depicts a creation story, Community Health beginning with one totem pole each for the engage in our traditions.” wolf and crow moieties, or kinship groups. Women Connecting JUSTIN FERBEY, SENIOR GOVERNMENT for Wellness Once the wolf and crow are completed the program may continue to carve poles for each OFFICIAL OF THE CARCROSS/TAGISH Vuntut Gwitchin of the six clans within the two moieties. FIRST NATION Student Receives Funding for Medical School Studying Northern Food Security Health Programs Transferred For northern communities such as Old Crow, In the first part of the study, three scientists to Self-Governing climate change brings up two main questions: spent time in Old Crow assessing the how a warming climate will affect food security, Traditional Knowledge Archives for stories of and how to adapt to environmental changes. past adaptation strategies, and conducted focus To ensure their communities are ready for groups to hear from Elders and community potential changes to food supplies, the Vuntut members about adaptive strategies that have Gwitchin First Nation and the Teslin Tlingit been passed on orally. They also followed up Council are working with professor Dr. Laurie on a 1995 food frequency study, conducting Chan from the University of Northern British a small-scale dietary survey. The involvement Columbia (UNBC) to discover how climate of Vuntut Gwitchin membership was essential change could affect their food security. to the success of the project. The study, Adaptation Strategies to Effects “Community participation is crucial in of Climate Change and Impacts on Diet and Northern research and it is always a pleasure Health, is funded through the International to work with communities in the Yukon Polar Year Committee and conducted in because they are empowered and willing to Carcross/Tagish First Nation carvings cooperation with Council of Yukon First do research, so it’s a research partnership,” Nations (CYFN), University of Northern British said Dr. Laurie Chan, Leadership Chair of the Columbia, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and UNBC Community Health Sciences Program. . The scientists have As well as recording information from WHAT IS VISIONS NORTH? conducted interviews and analyses in the people of Old Crow, the researchers Old Crow throughout 2007, and will begin Visions North: talking about Yukon land used information from wildlife ecologists to research work in Teslin this spring. claims is a bi-annual newsletter that raises gain an understanding of changes to animal awareness about land claims and self- “People here are concerned about changes populations in the area. government agreements and related issues to our food supply because of climate change “We hope that we will have a better in Yukon First Nation and non-First Nation and getting prepared for what might come is understanding of the potential impact of communities. a big part of this research project,” said Shel bio-quality on the people and then work with Graupe, Natural Resources Director for the Visions North is produced and distributed the community to come up with a plan. Say Vuntut Gwitchin government. “We’re happy to by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada there are fewer caribou, can the people eat be partners in a study that addresses some of (INAC) with the participation of the more moose? Or if some fish species are not our community’s biggest concerns,” he added. Government of Yukon and the Council of so available what are the other sources of Yukon First Nations (CYFN). protein and mineral nutrients?” said Chan. The results of the first part of the study will be reported soon to the community of Old Crow. For more information contact: Shel Graupe at Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN). (867) 966-3213

Researchers in Old Crow (L to R) Jennifer Lee, Lands Manager for VGFN; Pam Tobin,Field Research Manager, UNBC; Sonia Wesche, Postdoctoral Fellow, UNBC (Oct 2007) VISIONS NORTH SPRING/SUMMER 2008 page 2 Regional Longitudinal HealthStudy Health Commissionersenroute tomeetingsatMoosehide(June 2007) of Yukon First Nations Health Initiatives attheCouncil step ofthesurvey sinceitbeganintheYukon. in thestudy, andhave beeninvolved inevery Nation communitiesvolunteered to participate First Nations. performed totally underthejurisdictionof the first ofitskind–anationalhealthsurveyis funded through HealthCanada.Theproject Council ofYukon First Nations (CYFN) and Longitudinal HealthSurvey, aproject runby the are theprinciplesthatunderlieRegional and socialservicesdirectors andElders. Itcomes Commission isacommitteeofcommunityhealth Social Development Commission. also actsasthesecretariat for theHealthand health andsocialprograms. Thedepartment implement andevaluate thedelivery oftheir it assistsYukon First Nationcommunities regional orlocalnature. Where appropriate, department addresses issuesofanational, advocate –always busyandinvolved, the as acoordinator Yukon of Nations people. First Sometimesacting works to improve thehealthandwell-being and SocialDevelopment Departmentactively all 14Yukon First Nationsparticipate. Survey beganin2007, andCYFN hopesto have The second Through 2002and2003,nineYukon First Ownership, control, accessandpossession The HealthandSocialDevelopment The CouncilofYukon First Nation’s Health Amanada Mudry (absentfrom photo) istheotherrepresentative.Amanada Mudry HelenStappers (sixthfrom leftwearing abluet Nova Scotia(August 2007). Regional HealthSurvey National teamatPeggy’s Cove, wave of of wave or liaison,sometimesasan the Regional Health (867) 393-9213 and SocialDevelopment Department,CYFN monitor ongoinghealthstatus. used asatool ineachcommunityto assessand regional, andnational.Thefindingscanalsobe and program development atalllevels: local, participated inthesurvey, for healthplanning Commission andthecommunitiesthat used by CYFN’s HealthandSocialDevelopment be incorporated into theresearch anddesign. and First Nationsvalues andinterpretation will research process willreturn to thecommunities at (867)393-9213 the HealthandSocialDevelopment Department to namebutafew ofitscurrent activities. for First Nationcitizens inourhealthcare system, Transition Fundto improve integration activities involvement withthenationalAboriginalHealth Wellness Centre; anditisalsocarryingonits feasibility ofaYukon First Nations’Healthand established aworking group to assessthe longitudinal healthsurvey (seestory below); ithas is continuingitsinvolvement intheregional is undertaking anumberofexciting initiatives: it health issuesandregional/national initiatives. together every two monthsto discussmajor For more information contact: The data collectedinthesurvey willbe At theendofsurvey, ownership ofthe For furtherinformation contact: The HealthandSocialDevelopment Department The Health op) isoneofthetwo Yukon representatives ontheteam; in . Fourth Avenue 668-7812; orstop by atSuite21 – 4078 to helpyou. Pleasecalltheofficeat(867) funding, theTPCofficestaff would behappy forms orassistance withapplyingfor 28 ofthe of Canada. Yukon andonerepr Nations, onerepresents theGovernment of three represent theCouncilof Yukon First Umbrella FinalAgreement Fund negotiatedunderChapter28ofthe the Yukon IndianPeople Training Trust the value ofthattraining. TPCadministers accountable for monitoring andevaluating Yukon First Nationbeneficiariesandis training goals, disburses fundsfor training works to assistFirst Nationsto reach their If you have any questions, orrequire The TPCmandatecanbefound inChapter The Training Policy Committee(TPC) The committeecomprisesfive Umbrella FinalAgreement (corner of4th&HansonSt.) esents theGovernment . members: . Women Connectingfor Wellness Networking to Promote CommunityHealth Health Research Network – Yukon overlooking OldCrow Flats. Norma Kassi(left)andJody co-directorsWalker, of Arctic well-being, yet somany Yukon women live in that healthy relationships are central to awoman’s communities,” Nunansaid.“Research tellsus stone for thehealthofourchildren, families and information onissuesthatimpacttheirlives. experiences. Theretreat willalsogive them them withotherwomen whoshare common among higher-riskYukon women by connecting says theretreat willlessen socialisolation support worker withtheTr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the DempsterHighway. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’inlandsouthofDawson on for Yukon women thisspring. group, are cooperating to holdawellness retreat ments, together withtheDawson Citywomen’s necessary to buildcapacity, whichiswhy process. For communitiesto beinvolved itis and needto bepartofevery stage oftheresearch are recognised asexperts ontheirown health, community-based research,” shecontinues. building to facilitate thedevelopment of The ARHN-YThasafocus onregional capacity- meaningfully incommunity-basedresearch. Many communitieslackthecapacityto take part is challengingto create theseconnections. improving thesituation,”says Walker. “What expertise andtraining thatcouldcontributeto improve, andresearchers intheSouthwhohave pressing healthissuesthatresearch couldhelp society, whichwas established inFebruary 2007. moment to explain thegoalsofnon-profit Norma Kassi, co-directors oftheAHRN-YT, take a take turnsanswering calls, JodyWalker and office inHorwood’s MallinWhitehorse. Asthey Arctic HealthResearch Network-Yukon (AHRN-YT) “The wellness ofYukon women isacorner- Jennifer Nunan,apre-treatment andaftercare The workshop willbeheldontraditional The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’inandYukon govern- In community-driven research, communities The phonesare ringingoffthehookat “There isagapbetween communitieswith Retreat area ontheDempster Highway new anddifferent ways to live healthierlives. are strugglingwithaddictionsalonglearning have experienced abuseintheirrelationships and the women whowillparticipateintheretreat Services Worker basedinDawson, says someof Nunan said. nutrition, physical fitness andbodyimage,” substance abuse, violence, parenting skills, as healthy relationships, assertive communication, the Yukon, to present workshops ontopics such expertise oflocalpeople, andpeoplefrom around maintain theirsobrietyandself-esteem. who face adversity andwhowork hard to which are soimportant to goodhealth.” isolation andare missingthoseconnections in ways thatmake sensefor developing health take theknowledge they have gathered anduseit on results from previous instruction. training sothatpotentialfuture courses canbuild the spring,”sheadded. anticipate findingoutaboutfundingsometimein to theInternationalPolar Year Committee, andwe said Walker. “We have submittedthatproposal training courses ayear for thenext three years,” together aproposal to develop anddeliver two the University ofManitoba andothers to put CYFN, Yukon College, theUniversity ofToronto, the first training, ARHN-YThaspartnered with Health andSocialServices. from theYukon government Departmentof Research (CIHR)grant to Dr. Kue Young, and came from aCanadianInstitutesofHealth College andtheUniversity ofToronto. Funding partnership between CYFN, ARHN-YT, Yukon and SocialDevelopment Commission,andin Council ofYukon First Nations(CYFN) Health at therequest of,andwithguidancefrom, the health promotion planningintheircommunities. workers travelled to Whitehorse to learnabout where 23Yukon First Nationshealthresource academics,” says Walker. than curiosity-driven research initiatedby questions from communities, whichisdifferent research planningfor communitymembers. ARHN-YT isworking to offertraining inhealth Mo Caley-Verdonk, acommunityVictim “During theretreat we willbedrawing onthe The retreat willbuildconnectionsfor women After eachtraining session,participantswill The ARHN-YTistaking along-termapproach to “To follow upwiththerecommendations from The course was developed andimplemented In 2007, ARHN-YTco-hosteda“SpringSchool” “The results ofresearch needto answer Government ofYukon at(867)667-5406 retreat isplannedfor May 19–23,2008. Community Development Fund.Thewellness contribution from theYukon government’s organising activitiesfor thethree days,” shesaid. they take theleadinhostingretreat and investment inwomen’s healthandwell-being as example, localwomen willbebuildingtheir opportunity for communitydevelopment. “For workshop. the leadondeveloping programming for the choices,” Caley-Verdonk said. while buildingtheircapacityto make healthier reinforce thepositive attributesthey possess (867) 668-3393. Arctic HealthResearch Network-Yukon at the Northwithafocus onAboriginalhealth. and fundingpartnerships inhealthresearch in activities, andseekopportunitiesfor educational link between healthandwellness research control, accessandpossession.Itwillactasa and upholdingtheprinciplesofownership, instance, respecting localresearch protocols in relation to community-basedresearch, for in NWTandNunavut. community research efforts withtheAHRNoffices North, andwillhelpto coordinate information and Research Network isoneofthree across the researchers from outsidetheYukon. between interested Yukon communitiesand to facilitate thedevelopment ofpartnerships At thesametime, theARHN-YTwillcontinue research capacityintheirhomecommunities. TR’ONDËK HWËCH’IN SUPPORT WORKER WITHTHE AFTERCARE PRE-TREATMENT JENNIFER NUNAN, AND important to goodhealth.” those connectionswhichare so in isolationandare missing yet somany Yukon women live central to awoman’s well-being, that healthy relationships are communities. Research tellsus of ourchildren, families and is acornerstone for thehealth “The wellness ofYukon women For more information: The wellness retreat isfundedinpartby a Nunan saidtheretreat alsopresents an The Dawson Citywomen’s group istaking “This project isseenasaterrificopportunityto For furtherinformation contact: The ARHNwillalsopromote bestpractices The Whitehorse officeoftheArctic Health Please contact the the

Yukon Government Photo

VISIONS NORTH SPRING/SUMMER 2008 page 3 Vuntut Gwitchin Health Programs Transferred Student Receives to Self-Governing First Nations Yukon First Nation self-government agreements give First Nations power to negotiate the transfer Funding for of programs and services from the governments of Yukon or Canada in areas where they have Medical School jurisdiction, such as the provision of health care to their citizens. The process to transfer programs and services is outlined in section 17 of each Yukon First McMaster University medical student Alisa Kelly Nation’s self-government agreement. The process results in what is called a programs and services says she has always been interested in health transfer agreement or PSTA. and healing, but it wasn’t until she had worked some less-than-fulfilling jobs, and met a few Once a Yukon self-governing First Nation assumes the responsibility for a federal or territorial doctors, that she finally decided she would make government program it has full and complete authority to manage, administer, design, deliver and the attempt to pursue the field of medicine. set its priorities for the program according to its citizens’ needs. Kelly, who lived in Elsa and Mayo until she Since Yukon self-government agreements came into effect, Canada has been transferring was eight years old, is a member of the Vuntut programs and services to Yukon self-governing First Nations. In the area of health, the following Gwitchin First Nation. She earned her under- programs have been transferred.

page 4 graduate degree at the University of Victoria. Now, she is studying medicine with help from the Yukon’s Medical Education Bursary, one of a Year of larger package of health education bursaries that Transfer First Nation Programs the Yukon government uses to attract and retain health care workers. 1999 Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Health Services; Addiction Services; First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun Brighter Futures; Building Healthy “I had some friends who were in medical school Champagne and First Nations Communities; Pre-natal Care; and through conversations with them I realised Teslin Tlingit Council Health Careers; Health Liaison/ this was something that I wanted to pursue,” Kelly Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Health Management Support said. “The more doctors that I met, the more I understood the wide range of work a Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation physician does.” Kelly says there are a number of aspects of 2003 Same programs as above medicine that attracted her to the profession, and 2005 Carcross/Tagish First Nation Same programs as above her positive experience in her medical studies has sparked her interest in encouraging others to Kwanlin Dun First Nation Same programs as above and pursue a similar path. Nursing Services “You get the amazing privilege of being 2007 Teslin Tlingit Council Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative; involved in peoples’ lives; you can continue to Carcross/Tagish First Nation Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); learn throughout your career and pursue research Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in HIV/AIDS; National Aboriginal Youth if you want. You work intimately within the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Suicide Prevention Program; community that you choose to practice in and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Maternal; and Child Health; you feel good about contributing to peoples’ Kluane First Nation Home and Community Care* lives,” Kelly said. Selkirk First Nation Champagne and Aishihik First Nations “The Yukon health education bursary has *except Kluane First Nation been a big help for me in covering the cost VISIONS NORTH SPRING/SUMMER 2008 VISIONS NORTH of tuition,” Kelly said. “It’s allowing me to concentrate on studying and learning without For more information contact: Health Canada at (867) 393-6805 having to be constantly worried about how I was going to cover my living and studying costs while I’m in medical school.” This Yukon-bred doctor-in-training says she would love to come back to the Yukon to work and hopefully contribute to First Nations communities in whatever capacity she can. For more information contact: Health and Social Services at (867) 667-5695

Alisa Kelly with students from Chief Zzeh Gittlit School, Porcupine River, Old Crow Old Crow (November 2007)

Visions North For information or to share your feedback: Contributors: Meagan Perry,Amanda Mudry, Beth Theriault, TALKING ABOUT LAND CLAIMS INAC – Communications Roberta Hartman, Justin Ferbey, Shel Gaupe, Bob Vandijken, Spring/Summer 2008 – Yukon Region phone: (867) 667-3888, http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca Alisa Kelly, Paul Doehle, Dr. Laurie Chan, Pam Tobin, Jennifer Lee, Sonia Wesche, Rod Jacob, Peter Lesniak Published under the authority of the Minister of Indian Affairs CYFN – Communications and Marie-Louise Boylan and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis phone: (867) 393-9226, http://www.cyfn.ca and Non-Status Indians, Ottawa, 2008 Photographs courtesy of: Government of Yukon, OldCrow.ca, Government of Yukon – Communications Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Justin Ferbey,Amanda Mudry, www.ainc-inac.gc.ca phone: (867) 667-8968, http://www.gov.yk.ca Jody Walker and Meagan Perry 1-800-567-9604 This newsletter was produced through the efforts of TTY only 1-866-553-0554 Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous many. A special thanks to the First Nation people and le titre : Visions du Nord. QS-Y153-100-EE-A1 public service employees who provided information ISSN:1496-9070 for the articles in this newsletter. © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2008