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Families sue Yukon Government and Connective after loved ones die at downtown shelter

Wednesday, 8 January 2025 13:21

By Panebi Wilson @chonfmpwilson

The lawsuits claim that the shelter's lack of proper policies and trained staff contributed to the women's deaths.

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Government of Yukon and Connective Support Society by the families of two Yukon First Nation women who died at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter in 2022 and 2023.

Myranda Tizya-Charlie, 34, a citizen of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation died at the shelter on January 19, 2022. Darla Skookum, 54, of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, died at the shelter on April 16, 2023.

The two statements of claim were filed in the Supreme Court of Yukon on Dec. 23, 2024.

The families allege systemic negligence and a failure to provide a safe environment for vulnerable guests at 405 Alexander Street contributed to the women's deaths. Both lawsuits seek compensation for damages, including grief and loss, and funeral expenses.

The shelter saw two deaths in December. One of deceased was not a client, but a visitor.

A Coroner's Inquest in April publicly examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four Indigenous women at the shelter, including both Tizya-Charlie and Skookum, as well as Cassandra Warville, a citizen of VGFN, who also died on January 19, 2022, and Josephine Elizabeth Hager, a citizen of Selkirk First Nation, who died on February 1, 2023.

The inquest jury issued eight recommendations, including that Connective review its policies and procedures within six months and give staff better training. The jury also recommended that any future deaths at the shelter be subject to independent review.

The government took over the shelter from the Salvation Army until October 2022, when it outsourced operations to Connective, another non-profit, for which the government is providing $6 million per year to operate this year. The Council of Yukon First Nations has been named as a subcontractor by Connective.

Both Connective and the Government of Yukon declined to comment.

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