HAINES JUNCTION │ AGENCY X

Geography as a barrier to equity for rural Yukon

KEY CONCEPTS: access to services and resources, resiliency, transportation and basic needs

This agency suggested that even though Haines Junction is considered to be a larger centre (with a population just under 900) and close to Whitehorse at just under two hours drive, it shares many of the same issues as the smaller, more isolated communities. This agency representative had the benefit of having worked in various communities across the territory, providing references points for discussing comparative differences regarding key issues for people with disabilities.

Disability can presents a barrier to employment for some, but where one person might be able to overcome an identified barrier and secure employment, others struggle. The reason for this variation was unclear. This agency representative suggested that there are various possible reasons why some people seem to manage issues arising from a disability while others cannot. Possible sources of this variation could be related to inconsistency of services and supports as well as personal issues. Personal resiliency factors where suggested as the most likely driver of this variation – the source of which has been identified elsewhere in family and community supports. This question regarding the essential components needed to ensure people with disabilities in Yukon are able to secure employment appears to be an area worth further investigation within the YDES project.

When asked about what this agency worker might choose to include in a Yukon Disability Employment Strategy, the suggestion centred on increased access to the type and quality of services located in Whitehorse – to include everything from health, education and employment services right on through to access to basic needs and supplies through quality local transportation, grocery and clothing retail options. This comment was particularly timely with the recent closure of the only general store in Haines Junction.

 A final suggestion included the development of a public transportation network between communities and Whitehorse, enabling those people who might otherwise be able to travel by car, access to services available to the majority of Yukoners in Whitehorse. Here the barrier to equity is defined by a significant geographical and financial barriers for some, simply as a function of the location in which one lives. This was a unique and very pointed statement about equity for Yukon communities, and worthy of further discussion.