Campaign launched in northwestern Canada to address impact of COVID-19 on families
The government of Canada’s northwestern Yukon territory, along with the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the resources available for families struggling with the consequences of COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of new challenges for Yukon First Nations families and communities,” said Peter Johnston, grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations.
“The Council of Yukon First Nations recognizes these challenges and we want to ensure our most vulnerable people are supported.”
In a joint news release on Thursday, the government and the CYFN said months of confinement and social distancing are taking a toll on some families.
“Family violence, substance use and child maltreatment may have increased within families due to an array of factors such as the reduction in child care, social isolation and general anxiety due to the pandemic,” the joint news release said.
“Collective responsibility”
One ad publicizes the CYFN’s Family Preservation Services and the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services as places families under strain can reach out to, to find out what supports are available.
Another ad reminds people that the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services can be contacted if someone witnesses a child in crisis and are concerned about their safety and well-being.
“These are difficult times for many Yukon families, but please remember that you are not alone and that supports are available to help you cope,” said Pauline Frost, Yukon’s Minister of Health and Social Services in a news release. “And we also want to remind Yukoners that caring for children and youth is a collective responsibility, if you have concerns about a child in your community, please share them with us.”
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Inuit gov. in Labrador, Canada tells out-of-province travellers to stay away despite ‘Atlantic bubble’, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland joins other Nordic countries in virtual tourism due to pandemic, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland extends COVID-19 entry requirements until July 20, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland lowers price of on-arrival COVID-19 testing, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norwegian Arctic wilderness tourism hit particularly hard by coronavirus, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: All Russia’s North Pole cruises rescheduled to 2021, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Sweden seen as major source of COVID-19 in Western Finland region, Yle News
United States: Airline shutdown creates new challenges for rural Alaska, The Associated Press
