Of the 76 recommendations, 14 are operational, 39 are in progress and 23 have yet to be started. What follows relates specifically to Indigenous people.

Partnership with Yukon First Nations

Government-to-government work with Yukon First Nations is an essential element of system transformation and we are committed to working in partnership with First Nations governments. We have initiated bilateral discussions to co-design
an oversight structure to guide the system change forward. Cultural safety, reconciliation and health equity are principles and outcomes of the health and social system that we’re working towards and this can’t be done unless we partner with Yukon First Nations.

CHAPTER 4: Advancing reconciliation

These recommendations focus on working with Yukon First Nations to create a system that is culturally safe and to reduce health inequities for Yukon First Nations citizens.

It is important to note that we hope to work with Yukon First Nations on many recommendations, not just those in this chapter, with the goal of advancing reconciliation. Many recommendations, like the development of a health authority, are foundational parts of transforming the health and social system and cultural safety needs to be embedded from the start.

4.1 Partner with Yukon First Nations to develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated approach to cultural safety and humility that prevents racism.| Shared priority: The Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy

4.2 Enhance programs and services at long-term care homes to better support First Nations residents and their families. This includes culturally focused activities, increasing staff knowledge and sensitivity, offering traditional meals, and ensuring residents’ spiritual needs are met.| Shared priority: Aging in Place Action Plan

4.3 Collaborate with Yukon First Nations governments to develop understanding of Indigenous determinants of health in Yukon and their role in health disparities, and implement effective interventions to address them, in order to eliminate the disparities in health outcomes experienced by First Nations Yukoners.

4.4 Work with Yukon First Nations, using ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP) principles, to understand health inequities within the territory and develop responses to reduce these inequities.

4.5 Work with Yukon First Nations governments and the Government of Canada to fund a rural, on-the-land mental health and substance treatment centre that incorporates: Clinical and traditional/cultural approaches (including land-based healing), Strong linkages with community-based cultural healing resources (pre- and post-treatment).| Shared priority: The Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy

4.6 Partner with the Government of Canada to create a fund to support land-based healing in communities across the territory that includes program planning, infrastructure and training.| Shared priority: The Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy

NationTalk: Yukon Government: The Government of Yukon has released the first Putting People First annual report, providing an update on the work being done to implement the report’s 76 recommendations.

In April 2020, Putting People First was released following a comprehensive review of the Yukon’s health and social services and programs. In August, 2020, the Government of Yukon endorsed the report’s recommendations, which provide a roadmap to transform the territory’s health and social services system to better meet the needs of all Yukoners and create a system that is more integrated, collaborative, person-centred and culturally safe.

Of the 76 recommendations, 14 are operational, 39 are in progress and 23 have yet to be started. Some of the recommendations that are operational are:

• doubling the medical travel benefit for Yukoners as part of enhancements to the medical travel program;
• reducing pharmacy markups and fees to a level close to the national average;
• hiring additional nurse practitioners to increase access to primary health care providers in Yukon communities;
• establishing a by-name list to improve access to housing coordination;
• creating a new Care Coordination and Medical Travel Unit to streamline care across programs and providers;
• enhanced programs and services at long-term care homes to better support First Nations residents and their families;
• the creation of an evidence and evaluation unit with a clear population health mandate to support the health and social system, including program area staff and care providers, with data gathering, analysis, surveillance and evaluation; and
• the implementation of a fully-funded universal early childhood education.

A key recommendation of Putting People First is the creation of a health authority. The establishment of a health authority is a foundational step toward implementing the changes Yukoners have asked for and preliminary work on this has begun. The proposed name for the health authority is Health and Wellness Yukon, Santé et mieux-être Yukon or Shä̀w Kwä̀ ’a.

As we continue implementing the recommendations from Putting People First, we are working hard to implement the transformation of our health and social services system to better meet the needs of all Yukoners. Establishing Health and Wellness Yukon is the next big step in delivering on the transformational change Yukoners have asked of us and we look forward to sharing more information as this important work continues.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

Quick facts

• The Independent Expert Panel was created in November 2018 to lead the comprehensive review of the Yukon’s health and social programs and services. It included Yukoners and health systems experts from out of the territory.

Contact

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

Keshah Austin
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-5762
keshah.austin@yukon.ca

https://yukon.ca/sites/yukon.ca/files/hss/hss_puttingpeoplefirst_web_0_0.pdf