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Government of Yukon and Teslin Tlingit Council mark agreement to improve community safety

June 14, 2023, Yukon – On June 1, the Government of Yukon and the Teslin Tlingit Council held an event to commemorate the signing of a cooperation agreement between Teslin Tlingit Council and the Government of Yukon, which provides the community with additional supports through the work of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Unit.

This agreement comes by way of a resolution passed by Teslin Tlingit Council’s General Council, which issued a state of emergency in January 2022 in response to the opioid crisis within the Teslin Tlingit community. In part, the resolution identified a need for increased monitoring and tools to improve public safety and protect Teslin Tlingit Council’s vulnerable population.

The agreement provides the community of Teslin with an additional way to respond to the Substance Use Health Emergency. Through the application of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, the community will have access to additional supports to improve public safety, provide assistance to citizens who need it and investigate complaints of specified illegal activities on Teslin Tlingit properties and Teslin Tlingit Council Settlement Lands.

Teslin Tlingit Council, in partnership with the SCAN Unit, will work in conjunction with health-related programs and services that are provided for citizens and the community.

The agreement recognizes the importance of working in collaboration to achieve and promote improved public safety and protect vulnerable populations within the Teslin Tlingit community.