A program in Dawson City, Yukon, that previously offered two daily hot meals to local youth through Robert Service School will be revived, thanks to support from the mining community in the area.
The nutrition initiative was paused this academic year following the denial of funding by Indigenous Services Canada for the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate’s application under Jordan’s Principle. Over the past five years, this funding has facilitated meals, snacks, and hampers in 13 Yukon communities, including Dawson City through Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation.
In a collaborative effort, the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) and other local miners are contributing $500,000 to Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin to reinstate the program in Dawson for the remainder of the school year.
Neil Loveless, President of KPMA, expressed the association’s commitment to supporting the town and emphasized the importance of ensuring that local children have access to nutritious meals. He mentioned the positive impact of high gold prices on miners’ ability to contribute to community initiatives.
Following discussions and planning sessions, the decision was made to financially support the reinstatement of the nutrition program. Loveless highlighted the program’s significance for the community and expressed the association’s desire to sustain this support in the future, contingent on various factors such as commodity prices and mining activities.
Jody Beaumont, Director of Education at Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation, shared her initial disappointment when the nutrition program was initially halted, contrasting it with her current optimism due to the substantial donation from individual placer operators backed by KPMA. Beaumont indicated that while the program is not yet operational, the necessary arrangements are nearly complete, with staff recruitment being the final step before resuming services.
The program will be based at the Art and Margaret Fry recreation center, utilizing its cafeteria-style setup to provide students with a conducive environment for meals and social interaction outside the classroom.
Beaumont acknowledged the generosity of KPMA and local miners, characterizing it as a reflection of Dawson City’s community spirit and longstanding tradition of addressing communal needs. She praised the community’s proactive approach to supporting essential services and described it as an integral part of the region’s identity.