Yukon First Nation calls for Whitehorse shelter operator to be fired in wake of citizen's death

The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun is calling for the Yukon government to get rid of the non-profit organization running the Whitehorse emergency shelter in the wake of a citizen's death — a demand echoed by the deceased's family. 

Carmen Melancon, 21, died of a suspected overdose in a long-term housing unit at the shelter on Dec. 30, 2024, the latest in a string of deaths at 405 Alexander St. in recent years.

"These repeated Indigenous deaths are unacceptable, and they need to stop now," the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) said in a recent statement.

"FNNND is calling on Yukon Government to fire its shelter operator, Connective Support Society, without further delay. The primary emergency shelter in Yukon's largest urban centre requires management that respects the value of Indigenous lives… Connective is out of chances."

Connective, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations, took over the emergency shelter and housing units above it in October 2022. The building was previously run by the Yukon government, who in turn took it over from the Salvation Army in 2019.

A number of people have died there since, with a coroner's inquest held last year on the deaths of four First Nations women within the span of 15 months. The jury issued eight recommendations, including that independent review to be held on every death at the shelter. 

FNNND called for a review on Melancon's death to begin immediately. 

"It is unacceptable that individuals seeking refuge, support, and help, are instead facing life-threatening conditions," the statement added. "[Yukon Government] must take immediate, robust action to provide answers and accountability for the deaths that have occurred already, and to ensure no other lives are lost."

FNNND Chief Dawna Hope was not available for comment. However, two of Melancon's relatives said they were proud of their First Nation for speaking up. 

Melancon's cousin, Karen Nicloux, said she cried when she first read the statement. 

"I felt the overwhelming sense of relief that we're finally being heard," she said. 

"I'm just really encouraging all the First Nations leaders to support this because too many of our people have died and we are not disposable."

Melancon's aunt and godmother, Alla Blysak, also supported her First Nation's call. 

"I just don't see Connective staff and the shelter as a safe place," she said.

"Our family is saying, 'No more victims.'"

Connective's current contract for the shelter expires at the end of the month. Both Nicloux and Blysak said it should not be renewed. 

Update on 'relationship with Connective' coming soon, premier says

The shelter was among the topics discussed at last week's Yukon Forum, a regular closed-door meeting between territorial government and First Nations leaders. 

Premier Ranj Pillai, at a press conference after the forum Friday, acknowledged FNNND's statement but said he hadn't had a chance to have a "dialogue" with the First Nation yet. 

While Pillai said the government was not "firing" Connective and did not directly answer a question about whether its contract would be renewed, he acknowledged that improvements at the shelter were needed.

"We'll make a comment very shortly on what's happening with the relationship with Connective," he said, adding that forum discussions included how the shelter model can change, having a "more multi-tiered approach to what's happening inside" and "ensuring that we have a number of entities that are represented in the operations of the shelter."

The government is also looking at making the housing units above the emergency shelter "high-barrier," alcohol-and-drug-free spaces, Pillai said, and will bring Yukon First Nations leaders together in the spring to discuss other potential changes. 

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston, at the same press conference, distanced the council from the day-to-day operations at 405 Alexander, saying that it was there to "provide some cultural support" but that its partnership with Connective was otherwise "pretty limited."  

A Connective spokesperson, asked for comment on both the contract renewal and FNNND's statement, deferred comment to the Yukon government. 

Shelter 'could be such a beautiful place'

Nicloux and Blysak, in their interview, said that they wanted to see the shelter handed over to either Yukon First Nations or back to Salvation Army, both of which they believe have the experience and empathy to properly serve the community.

Nicloux has worked for organizations that support people who use the shelter, and said she regularly witnesses open alcohol and drug consumption there, with staff unequipped or unqualified for frontline work. That, she said, has created an increasingly unsafe environment that can worsen issues like trauma and addiction.  

"I've said it over and over again — that shelter could be such a beautiful place," Nicloux said. 

"But it will not function well under [the Yukon government] and Connective. They've got to go."

Blysak, meanwhile, described what was happening at the shelter as a continuation of the trauma caused by residential schools, with people "feeling helpless and hopeless all over again."   

Melancon, Blysak said, was in an abusive relationship that involved substance use, and while her family tried to help her, that was "very hard" when she could "go into a facility such as the shelter, walk by everybody, go upstairs" and get drugs.

"Where was the staff? Where was everybody? Where was the help? Where was the safety plan?" Blysak asked. 

She remembered her niece as a beautiful, vibrant young woman who always left thank-you notes for everyone, who loved getting her eyelashes and nails done and who was close with her parents and sisters. Melancon also liked pranks and dancing, Blysak said, and was a hard worker, who saved enough money to buy her own car at 17. 

After Melancon's death, some women in the community made beaded pins with her picture and gifted them to her relatives. 

Blysak said she often wears her pin of Melancon over her heart.

"We'll bring her with us when we're fighting for a much safer shelter and much safer streets for everyone," Blysak said.