Urgent: Yukon Family Fights for Nutrition Program Funding After Cut

URGENT UPDATE: A family in Watson Lake, Yukon, is sounding the alarm over the devastating impact of the recent cut to the community’s rural nutrition program. Jesse and Amanda Johnston emphasize that the loss extends beyond simply denying Indigenous students two meals a day; it undermines crucial trust between Yukon First Nation communities and the Canadian government.

The rural nutrition program, previously funded through Jordan’s Principle and managed by the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED), has been a lifeline for many families. However, Indigenous Services Canada denied YFNED’s funding application this year, leaving a significant gap in services.

Jesse Johnston stated, “The gap is still there. The need is still there, and there’s nothing there to replace it.” He argues that without the rural program, the very essence of Jordan’s Principle—ensuring First Nations children have access to essential services—is compromised.

In 2024, the federal government committed a staggering $1 billion over five years to provide healthy meals for children through the National School Food Program. However, only $7.3 million has been designated for the Yukon from August 1, 2024, to March 31, 2027, and the Yukon government has yet to distribute these funds.

Amanda Johnston, a former Liard First Nation councillor instrumental in establishing the rural nutrition program in 2020, expressed her dismay over the funding cut. “We had a successful program that was deeply rooted in connection with families, with students, and with government,” she said. “Now, all of a sudden, it’s a complete halt.”

The Johnstons stress that the nutrition program was not just about food; it encompassed family support, employment opportunities, and teaching vital life skills through food preparation. Jesse added, “It’s helping families connect to healthy food choices. It’s connecting to the land through traditional harvest.”

In response to inquiries from CBC News, Indigenous Services Canada stated via email that the funding is designed to provide various supports for Indigenous children and families but is “not intended nor structured to displace government income assistance through ‘universal’ programs such as school food programs.”

Looking ahead, Amanda Johnston remains hopeful for the future of nutrition programs in Yukon. She calls for a unified commitment from all levels of government to ensure that community needs are met. “I am hopeful, and looking forward to seeing how this [Yukon] government plans to roll that out,” she said.

Local businesses have shown their commitment to addressing food insecurity, with miners in Dawson City recently donating $500,000 to restart a local school nutrition program. Additionally, a nutrition program in Ross River, Yukon, was reinstated thanks to a local company and First Nation collaboration.

As the situation unfolds, the Johnstons and other community members continue to advocate for reinstating funding for the rural nutrition program immediately. The stakes are high, as the future health and well-being of many Indigenous families in Yukon hangs in the balance.

Next Steps: The Yukon government’s implementation of the National School Food Program will be closely monitored, as community members hope it builds upon the successes of the past. The urgency to restore essential support is evident, and the need for action is clear.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the community fights for the resources necessary to ensure that no child goes hungry in Yukon.