The Yukon First Nation Education Directorate has once again partnered with Second Harvest and Agriculture Canada Surplus Food Rescue Program to provide urban-based Indigenous families with roughly 30,000 pounds of wild-caught B.C. salmon.

The directorate is distributing the salmon at the Takhini Arena from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today and Thursday to all Whitehorse-based Indigenous families with children up to the age of 19.

Dubbed “Salmonpalooza”, this is the second time in less than a year that the directorate’s Nutrition Program has provided salmon to Whitehorse-based families.

It has also distributed winter break hampers, bison and salmon at various times in Whitehorse and the communities.

Funded through Jordan’s Principle, the Nutrition Program will also be providing snacks and a hot meal service this fall to all Yukon schools to ensure Indigenous children have equitable access to healthy food.

“We are so happy to be able to provide this vital and traditional food source to our families,” said Melanie Bennett, the directorate’s executive director.

“Optimal learning happens when we have healthy, happy families, and (the directorate’s) wrap-around approach to education includes providing nutritious food to our kids.