The City of Yellowknife and the Sahtu Secretariat Inc. are set to receive more than $1.6 million from the federal government to bolster their outreach and harm reduction initiatives in response to a drug crisis in the region. This funding, announced by N.W.T. MP and Crown-Indigenous Affairs Minister Rebecca Alty in Yellowknife, is sourced from the federal Emergency Treatment Fund and is separate from the government’s regular budget.
Of the allocated amount, over $900,000 will be directed to Yellowknife’s Enhanced Street Outreach Program, managed by Home Base Yellowknife. Mayor Ben Hendriksen highlighted that this funding will enhance on-the-ground efforts by providing harm reduction supplies and aiding individuals with housing, healthcare, and social services. City manager Stephen Van Dine emphasized that while specific changes are still being determined in collaboration with partners, having this financial support available is reassuring for the community and the program.
The remaining portion of the funds will support the Sahtu Harm Reduction and Support Program, focusing on overdose prevention initiatives and culturally relevant education and assistance to enhance community resilience. Joseph Kochon, representing the Sahtu Secretariat Inc., expressed concern about the drug crisis affecting the youth in their community, noting the unexpected speed at which it has unfolded. Kochon emphasized the need for tailored police resources in smaller communities to address the challenges they are facing, highlighting the determination to prevent further losses among the youth.