The Government of Yukon has announced a $2.3 million investment in a five-year Planet Youth pilot project aimed at addressing youth substance use. The project will support four Yukon First Nations:

• Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
• First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
• Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
• Selkirk First Nation

These communities will implement the Icelandic Prevention Model, an evidence-based approach focused on reducing youth substance use through community-driven and data-informed strategies.

The pilot project is part of Yukon’s Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy and will be led by the participating First Nations. According to the announcement, the initiative will focus on local priorities, including substance use prevention, mental health, social integration, and resilience-building.

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation’s application highlights the importance of data-driven efforts in identifying community needs and engaging youth. The joint application from the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, and Selkirk First Nation emphasizes the alignment of the model with their cultural traditions and collective responsibility. Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and representatives from across these communities will contribute to shaping the project.

The first phase of the project in 2025 will focus on planning and developing educational modules in collaboration with the Planet Youth team. This will be followed by comprehensive data collection and action implementation in 2026-27.