Klondike Miners Contribute $500,000 to Support School Nutrition

The Yukon placer mining community has made a significant contribution to the Robert Service School, donating $500,000 to fund its school nutrition program for the entire year. This initiative aims to provide daily meals for approximately 200 students, ranging from kindergarten to grade 12, ensuring that children have access to nutritious food during their school day.

The school nutrition program was previously managed by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation with funding sourced through Jordan’s Principle. Jody Beaumont, the education director for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, explained that this partnership with the Yukon government is unique, as both entities co-govern the institution. Beaumont noted, “Everything that happens connected to education across the lifespan is done in partnership between the two governments.”

In September 2023, Indigenous Services Canada denied funding for the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate’s rural nutrition program, which had been supported for years through Jordan’s Principle. Beaumont mentioned that new operational guidelines introduced at the beginning of the year prompted Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to seek alternative funding sources, as they were uncertain about receiving financial support in the same manner as before.

“We were not optimistic at all that we would receive funding that way,” Beaumont said. As a result, the First Nation began to explore additional funding avenues, including hiring a contractor to assist in writing proposals for future Jordan’s Principle funding for their school support team.

Before the start of the school year, the nutrition program had to be suspended due to lack of funds. However, at the end of the summer, several individual placer miners approached the education department with an unexpected offer. “We thought they had some end-of-season food to donate, which is typical of the placer community,” Beaumont recounted. Instead, these miners proposed a monetary donation to help restore the nutrition program.

Upon realizing that the initial contribution would not fully cover the program’s costs, the miners collectively increased their support, resulting in the substantial $500,000 donation to the school. Beaumont described this generosity as “an incredible gift” and a testament to the spirit of the Dawson community.

Neil Loveless, president of the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association, played a key role in organizing the donation. Loveless, who has school-aged children, became aware of the program’s suspension during a visit to the school. “We started to see what we could find as far as tying the two things together,” Loveless stated. He reached out to other miners, who expressed their desire to support the community following a successful mining season.

Many of the miners have children who attend Robert Service School, and Loveless emphasized the importance of easing the financial burden on families in the region. “It’s great to see kids happy,” he said, expressing hope that the resumption of the nutrition program will encourage higher school attendance.

Providing meals, including breakfast and lunch, is crucial for students’ well-being and educational success. Loveless stated, “A warm breakfast and a good lunch can encourage some people to get to school and really have good nutritional food before they get started.” He expressed gratitude to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in for establishing the program and facilitating its continuation.

The school nutrition program embodies essential aspects of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in culture, such as gathering and sharing food. Beaumont remarked that the miners’ generous donation highlights the strong sense of community in Dawson City. “There is a legacy here of different groups in the community coming together to ensure that everyone has what they need,” she noted.

For several years, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in managed the nutrition program at Robert Service School, but when they were unable to continue, the placer mining community stepped in to provide support. Beaumont described the relationship as a “dance of reciprocity,” where all community members contribute to ensure the well-being of everyone.

“The placer community benefits from being on Tr’ondëk land,” she added. “Their families benefit from participating in the school, and we also benefit from their presence here in the ways that they can invest in the community.” The donation serves not only as a financial boost but also as a reminder of the collaborative spirit that defines life in Dawson City.