The territorial government is matching existing federal funding of $677,000 to support the existing Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) in the Yukon.

Funding will be matched on an ongoing basis and will support the eight CPNP programs currently operating in the territory.

In addition, the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) will receive funding of $262,000 each year for the next two fiscal years.

This funding will be used to research and identify First Nations’ prenatal and infant support needs in rural communities. Funding will also be used to fill a position to assist with Yukon First Nations prenatal and infant supports.

The government has formed a Prenatal Advisory Group to identify needs and best practices related to providing prenatal and infant supports for expectant people and families.

The group includes representatives from the territorial government, Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the CYFN.

The nutrition program helps support the health of vulnerable expectant people, new parents and their babies.

“We are pleased to offer this ongoing funding commitment to Canada Prenatal Nutrition Programs operating in the Yukon, and to support the Council of Yukon First Nations, to offer prenatal and infant supports in communities throughout the territory,” Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said Nov. 18.

“This funding will help communities address specific needs and develop culturally appropriate prenatal services.

CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston said the funding “will support CYFN to develop culturally-relevant prenatal and infant programming and supports that are tailored toward Yukon First Nations with the overall goal of improving outcomes for Yukon First Nations families and children.”

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Programs in the Yukon have not received an increase in funding in approximately 20 years. The programs operate in the following communities:

• Whitehorse: Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre – Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies;

• Teen Parent Centre Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program;

• Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Prenatal Nutrition Program;

• Les EssentiElles;

• Carcross: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies;

• Dawson City: Healthy Families, Healthy Babies;

• Teslin: Teslin Prenatal Program; and

• Watson Lake: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies.

The funding commitment is consistent with a recommendation in the Putting People First report.