A Yukon First Nations Chiefs Committee on Health has been formed to provide direction and oversight regarding the transformation of the health and social system in the Yukon.

This includes the implementation of the Putting People First report and the creation of Health and Wellness Yukon, a health authority for the territory that will deliver most day-to-day health and social services.

The newly formed Chiefs Committee on Health will help ensure Yukon First Nations are within the governance structure for health and social system transformation, the government and the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) said Wednesday.

It will help position First Nations to provide guidance and oversight, and help facilitate collaboration with the Yukon government.

The committee’s formation helps fulfill the need for Yukon First Nations to champion and lead health and social system transformation in the territory, said the government and the CYFN.

It will support changes needed to improve patient-client responsiveness, experiences and outcomes, and create an equitable health system for all Yukoners.

The committee on is comprised of the following members, who were appointed by Yukon First Nations leadership:

• Chair and Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Pauline Frost, who was a Liberal Health minister from 2016 to 2021;

• Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Barb Joe;

• Carcross/Tagish First Nation Deputy Chief Darla-Jean Lindstrom; and

• Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation Wolf Councillor Tanya Silverfox.

The committee will also be instrumental in the advancement of recommendations from the Putting People First report, including important commitments related to integrating cultural safety into the health and social services system.

Other recommendations include understanding and addressing Indigenous determinants of health, expanding access to Yukon First Nations cultural and land-based healing, and creating a health authority to deliver day-to-day health services.

“The creation of the Chiefs Committee on Health formalizes the involvement of Yukon First Nations in strengthening our health and social services across the territory,” said Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“Our work is focused on the establishment of Health and Wellness Yukon, a dedicated health authority for the territory.

“Recognizing the significance of Yukon First Nations leadership in this transformative work, our government remains committed to working in partnership to help foster culturally inclusive and responsive health and social services for all Yukoners.”

The Putting People First report was the result of an independent review of the Yukon’s health and social system.

It provides a roadmap for transforming the health and social system to better meet the needs of Yukoners.

Of the report’s 76 recommendations, 70 per cent are operational or in progress.

“Yukon First Nations are pleased to see the instatement of the Chiefs Committee on Health by Yukon First Nations Chiefs as part of the governance structure of the Putting People First report implementation,” said CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston.

‘This allows Yukon First Nations a leadership role in facilitating system change that Yukon First Nations have advocated on for many years.”

The report envisions a future high-performing, integrated, person-centred health and social system where systemic racism is addressed, Yukoners are connected to a primary care team, services are connected and culturally safe, care is closer to home and prevention is a primary focus.

“The Chiefs Committee on Health provides Yukon First Nations with a high level of involvement and authority that will be key in guiding the successful implementation of Putting People First and healthcare transformation in the Yukon,” said Frost.

“Yukon First Nations chiefs have long advocated for these changes and are pleased to see the formation of this committee come to fruition.”