It was never the preference of Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) to see a segment of the city’s population “showcased” at the high-profile intersection of Fourth Avenue at Alexander Street.

That’s the site the previous Yukon Party government chose for the the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter, the grand chief reminded attendees at a Wednesday afternoon news conferece.

The facility’s staff and users and the surrounding neighbourhood have had to live with that highly controversial choice ever since.

The news conference was called days before the Oct. 1 transfer of shelter’s operations from the Yukon government to Connective and the CYFN.

Connective – formerly the John Howard Society – will be the lead organization in assuming the management responsibilities.

As a sub-contractor to Connective, the CYFN’s services at the shelter will focus on providing culturally-relevant programming for First Nations citizens who use the facility.

Connective provides person-centred programs and services with essential support to people facing barriers and marginalized community members.

Those include people involved in the criminal justice system, experiencing homelessness, employment barriers, problematic substance use, mental health challenges, developmental disabilities or spectrum disorders.

Connective also works with Indigenous partners to identify and fill the gaps in the support needed and provided for Indigenous people.

Connective and the CYFN said they have an established working relationship and bring expertise in helping these individuals.

“Connective is committed to ensuring that those utilizing shelter services continue to receive individualized care and culturally-relevant programming,” the organization said in a statement.

“Connective acknowledges the opportunity and need for improvement to shelter operations. As experienced providers of community-based services for marginalized populations, Connective recognizes the importance of establishing relationships and demonstrating a commitment to two-way communication moving forward.”

Connective is preparing to host a series of community information sessions for local neighbours and the general public following the initial weeks of operation.

“It’s our number one priority during the operational and management transition of the Whitehorse Emergency shelter to provide continued stability and services for service users,” the organization said.

“We are committed to ensuring that this change will not affect the shelter’s day-to-day operations or the people who live and work within the shelter,” said Mark Miller, Connective’s CEO. He lives in Vancouver but visited the city this week.

“As we complete the changeover, our team will be listening and learning from shelter residents and the greater community so we can continue to make a diference in the lives of Yukoners who are facing barriers or who are marginalized.

“We are experiencing good employee retention so far,” he added at the news conference.

Connective will continue to listen to the community and evaluate its services, he said.

“We tailor our work to the people we serve. We welcome the feedback. Our intent is for an immediate and smooth transition.”

Johnston said the CYFN “is pleased to extend our working relationship with Connective by working as a sub-contractor to provide programming at the shelter that incorporates Yukon First Nations culture.

“Through this work, our intention is to better serve Yukon First Nations that access the shelter and provide services in ways that provide comfort and support Yukon First Nations’ cultural identity.”

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee expressed her thanks to Connective and the CYFN “for being our trusted partners as we follow through on our commitment to transfer the management and operations of the Yukon’s largest shelter.

“The Government of Yukon will continue to work alongside both organizations to provide supports and services such as on-site paramedics, mental wellness and substance use services and community outreach,” McPhee added.

“We are very confident that both organizations will deliver people-centred, culturally appropriate care programs and supports to vulnerable Yukoners.”

During the news conference, she called the change “a really exciting opportunity.

“I am pleased to lead this milestone of evolution of 405 Alexander St.

“You have our government’s full confidence and support,” she told Johnston and Miller. “Your work is incredibly important.”

The former Yukon Party government’s location for the shelter immediately became problematic.

Some nearby businesses suffered sharp drops in revenue because of the harassment their customers suffered from shelter users.

Properties were vandalized, and the RCMP and ambulances were frequently summoned to the facility. Jaywalking meant passing motorists constantly had to be on the alert.

There were complaints about non-existant or inadequate programming at the shelter.

The Liberal government took it over from the original operator, the Salvation Army, on Jan. 31, 2019.

Earlier this spring, the New Democrats called for a coroner’s inquest into the January 2022 toxic drug-related deaths of two women on shelter premises. Early last month, an inquest was announced for an unspecified date.

Obviously, Johnston said, the shelter has been “a very hot political topic” among nearby business owners, residents and school users.

While not looking to call anyone out, he said, it was never the CYFN’s nor the Kwanlin Dun First Nation’s intention to “showcase” shelter users at such a busy location, but has had to deal with the situation.

Ideally, operations would be shifted to a much lower-prifle location, he said, acknowledging such a move is some time off.

“Maybe we won’t need a shelter in 10 years,” he added.

For more than 500 years, the grand chief said, “we have never had true success where governments have dealt with First Nations.

“This is not going to be a silver bullet, or turning on the right light switch. This will be a great exercise for the community and give people who use this facility some hope.

“They are living day to day and month to month, and at the end of the day, it is about survival,” he told the news conference.

“It is a work in progress,” he said of the challenges of successfully delivering improved services.

The Salvation Army’s previous “faith-based” management of the facility was problematic, Johnston conceded. Some people needing its assistance could not access it.

“Now that the doors are open to everyone, we can see the reality of what we are facing,” Johnston said. “At the end of the day, we are looking forward to October 1.

“There is so much lack of understanding of what this shelter is supposed to provide,” he stated. “At the end of the day, we need people who have the expertise.”

Connective’s story began nearly 90 years ago when the non-profit society started delivering services to marginalized populations in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. The Yukon government will continue to finance the shelter’s operations.

Speaking at the news conference, McPhee praised the leadership of Chris Sorg, who owned several Main Street businesses before his Sept. 1 death, for his work to help deal with some of the problems the shelter has created in the immediate area.