Let’s Normalize reaching out
This blog post was written by Reconnection Vision Fellow and Communications Team Member Carissa Waugh.
Let’s normalize reaching out to counselors, Elders, friends or peers.
As we move into this new season, let’s remember to care for ourselves—and each other. Fall often brings big changes: some of us are starting school or university for the first time, some are going hunting or harvesting, and many are adjusting to shorter days and colder weather.
Our physical health is very important, but so is our mental health! Some of these new changes can bring up some new emotions, even old emotions. How we respond is completely up to us.
Whether you’re reaching out to a counsellor, Elder, friend, or peer… you’re choosing connection over isolation. That takes strength.
Let’s normalize checking in, opening up, and being honest when things feel heavy.
You’re not meant to carry everything alone.
It takes a lot of courage to step up and reach out for help, I know because I was there.
I reached out a few times to some mentors but that’s where it stopped, I unfortunately wasn’t able to get the help I needed. A year ago I started off my fall season with a couple work retreats that did not go well, amongst a few other things I had going on in my life at the time. I had a long and depressing winter, and I really kept to myself.
I did exactly the opposite of what I was supposed to do, I stayed home and isolated myself, I canceled a lot of dinners/outings with close friends, I stopped working and beading after my cat had passed away — I had convinced myself that nobody wanted to be around my sad self.
I had a dark cloud over me all winter until I had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa for work.
I forced myself to get out and go for dinner, do some shopping, go for some walks, drink some coffee and socialize and it definitely helped having some amazing travel partners.
I could feel the clouds getting lighter, I was starting to bead again and get out more. I was really fortunate to have that opportunity, and I do recognize my own privilege of having these travel opportunities that not everyone has.
The point I want to get across is that you can reach out for help! But also if someone reaches out to you for help, please take care of that person.
Here are some Yukon resources that you can use, or share with your friends/family.
Child, Youth & Family Treatment Team (CYFTT) Free counselling & support services for school‑aged children, youth, and families: rapid access counselling, clinical counselling, outreach, group supports, and a youth outreach clinic.
Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (MWSU) : Supports for children & youth under 19 with mental health or substance‑use concerns. Includes outreach, assessment, counselling, school‑based services. Whitehorse main line: 867‑456‑3838 or toll‑free 1‑866‑456‑3838
Canadian Mental Health Association – Yukon (CMHA‑Yukon) Free counselling (ages 13+) including single‑session counselling, help line, and other wellness programs. Also runs a 24/7 support line called Reach Out.
All of our stories matter, but it would mean a lot to us if you can tell your story as an elder. Ihkets’idlī (means “I love you” in Northern Tutchone)
In the words of the Fellowship:
“Self-care is community care. When you are healthy, it transforms everyone around you.”
So don’t wait until you’re at your limit. Reach out, speak up, and let people show up for you. You deserve that. 💛
We are HIRING!
Role: Director, Reconnection Vision
Location: Yukon, remote and in-person (Whitehorse or in community)
Status: Full-Time, 1-year Term (contingent on funding for a renewal)
Supervisor: Reconnection Vision Steering Committee
Compensation: $115,862 to $131,938 with full benefits package
Help lift up and empower the Yukon First Nation’s youth-led movement!
The Reconnection Vision (RV) is the Yukon First Nations’ social transformation guide and tool kit — a collective vision led by youth, rooted in culture, ceremony, and relationship with the Land. It is about returning to Wholeness, restoring balance, and creating the conditions for our next generation to thrive. The RV moves us closer to realizing the spirit of our Land Claims and Self-Government Agreements, by empowering Indigenous youth and supporting governments, Elders, and communities to live as whole people and in good relationship.
We are now searching for a Reconnection Vision Director — a leader who can guide the next chapter in this 50-year vision of this transformative journey
The Role
The RV Director will nurture the culture, vision and community of the Reconnection Vision and our growing collective. Reporting to the RV Steering Committee Chair, the Director will provide stable leadership, be central in developing RV’s 5-year Strategic Plan, and ensure sustainability of the movement.
This is a relational role that requires deep respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The Director will mentor and support youth, oversee staff and operations, steward relationships with Yukon First Nations governments and partners, and act as a key spokesperson for RV alongside youth and the RV stewards – the former Yukon First Nations Climate Action Fellowship.
The Reconnection Vision recently joined MakeWay’s Shared Platform! The RV Director will be responsible for fulfilling the duties required as part of the platform. The MakeWay shared platform is a Canadian national charity that provides a centralized, shared infrastructure to support and lower barriers for community-led social and environmental projects. It offers projects crucial administrative support, such as governance, financial management, human resources, risk management, and legal expertise, allowing changemakers to focus on their core missions rather than administrative burdens. As Reconnection Vision is a project on MakeWay’s Shared Platform, the selected candidate will be an employee of MakeWay.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development and implementation of RV’s 5-year Strategic Plan.
Oversee daily operations, finance, and HR with support from the Operations Manager and MakeWay.
Build and maintain partnerships with Yukon First Nations governments, Elders, youth, funders, and allies.
Mentor and support the RV team, including youth leaders and Ambassadors.
Ensure programs, strategies, and policies are grounded in Wholeness, trauma-informed care, and Indigenous worldviews.
Act as the primary liaison with MakeWay and other funders, ensuring accountability and reporting.
Qualifications
Minimum 10 years of experience in senior Indigenous leadership, programming, or governance.
Strong knowledge of Yukon First Nations Final Agreements and Self-Government Agreements.
Proven ability to lead strategic planning, manage operations, and supervise teams.
Experience working with and mentoring Indigenous youth.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
Grounded in Indigenous values and approaches, with a trauma-informed perspective.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience as an Indigenous knowledge holder; advanced education is an asset.
Class 5 Driver’s Licens
Why Join Us?
This is more than a leadership role — it is an opportunity to be part of Yukon First Nations’ movement of realizing the vision of our Final Agreements and the wisdom of our Elders and Ancestors. As RV Director, you will:
Contribute to the long-term realization of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.
Empower Indigenous youth and amplify their leadership.
Guide a vision that strengthens our relationship with the Land and with each other.
Lead a values-driven team committed to Wholeness and cultural renewal.
How to Apply
Preference will be given to self-identified Yukon First Nation’s applicants.
Our sincerest appreciation to all those expressing interest in this position, however, only the applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.
Please submit:
Cover letter explaining your interest and alignment with the Reconnection Vision
Resume / CV
Deadline: Oct 14, 2025
Email applications to: admin@reconnection.vision
Reconnection Vision and MakeWay are strongly committed to equity and creating a diverse workplace community. We strive to reflect the diversity of our society on our teams and to provide a respectful workplace and equal working opportunities for all employees and applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from the communities we serve and for all qualified applicants to apply. If you require accommodations at any point during the application or hiring process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Shäw nithan, Gunalchéesh, Mahsi Cho, Sógá sénlá
🌱 Seeds of Reconnection:
Stories and Lessons for the Future
Our Reconnection Vision Fellows have spent the past four years walking a path of learning, listening, and building together. Along that path, something powerful has grown — the Seeds of Reconnection.
These Seeds aren’t just ideas on paper. They’re lived experiences gathered from youth, Elders, and community members across the Yukon. They carry the voices of our people — our languages, our teachings, and the way we live on the land. They remind us that the systems around us weren’t built for us to thrive… and that we have the power to imagine and grow something better.
The first Seed is simple but life-changing: Heal Ourselves.
In Tagish, it’s called Sògòsene edenahtʼį̄ — take care of yourself. It’s a reminder that wellness is not selfish. It’s the foundation of everything. When we heal, we mend the web that connects us all.
Healing isn’t just something we do alone — it’s something we do together, for each other.
The Seeds speak to things many of us have felt but rarely said out loud:
That our communities can heal from trauma — and deserve to.
That healing should be as normal as breathing.
That we can create schools, workplaces, and systems that support us, instead of triggering old wounds.
The Seeds of Reconnection are an invitation
Especially to Yukon Indigenous youth — to see yourselves as part of this growing story. To learn from it, add to it, and carry it forward.
🌿 Explore the Seeds of Reconnection by visiting our page here → reconnection.vision/seeds & follow our Social Media accounts for videos explaining our Seeds in greater detail.
Let’s plant these seeds in our lives, water them with our actions, and watch them grow into the future we choose.