Living in a small and isolated northern community like Old Crow, Yukon, can result in restricted access to recreational opportunities. Jeneen Frei Njootli, a Vuntut Gwitchin resident and mother of two young children in Old Crow, has initiated a petition to address the lack of outdoor play options in the community. Njootli stated that the recreational fields designated for activities like soccer and baseball are currently being utilized for industrial storage, with shipping containers, chain-link fencing, building materials, and organic debris rendering them unsafe for children.
As a consequence, families and children in the community are left with limited choices for recreational activities, such as utilizing the school playground, a downtown playground, or the community subdivisions. Njootli highlighted the previous existence of an arena where youth could engage in activities like skating, which was recently demolished due to safety concerns. She mentioned that while a government services shop is planned for the vacant space, the absence of discussions regarding a replacement recreational space is disappointing.
The online petition, signed by 85 individuals from Old Crow and beyond, urges the Vuntut Gwitchin chief and council to prioritize recreational spaces by relocating the government services shop, restoring the baseball diamond and soccer field, and establishing a new multi-use recreation area along the riverfront. Njootli emphasized that this issue requires collective community action and expressed concern over the gradual deterioration of recreational spaces over the past decade in favor of development.
CBC News attempted to contact the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation for a response but received no comment. Additionally, efforts to reach Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Annie Blake for an interview were unsuccessful. Stan Njootli Jr., the brother of Jeneen Frei Njootli, emphasized the importance of recreation in fostering healthy children and families. He underscored the significance of investing in sustainable recreation to support the well-being of the community, stating that an active community is a healthy community.
