The Optimist
Periodical profile published 1982

Publisher:  Yukon Status of Women, 302 Steele Street, Whitehorse, Yukon
Year Published:  1982
Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX2438

The Optimst newspaper is published five times a year by the Yukon Status of Women Council. Its purpose is to link all Yukon women who are separated from one another by great physical distances as well as by socio-economic and cultural differences.

Abstract: 
The Optimst newspaper is published five times a year by the Yukon Status of Women Council. Its purpose is to link all Yukon women who are separated from one another by great physical distances as well as by socio-economic and cultural differences.

The September, 1981 issue includes a report from Yukon Indian Women's Association. This article serves as a reminder of the uniquely disadvantaged position of Indian women, who are faced with the legalized discrimination of Indian Act, along with discrimination in employment, education and training opportunities. In the Yukon, for example, a much lower percentage of Indian women are employed than Yukon women in general. Training programs there to date have been effective for only 12% of Yukon Indian women.

Health matter are also covered in this issue, with a lengthy article on cervical cancer diagnosis and another critiquing a one- year delay in the implementation of mandatory family life and sex education programs for Yukon youth. The pressing need for action on this issue is evidenced in the Yukon having one of the highest per capita teen pregnancy rates in Canada, and one of the higher per capita teen abortion rates.

Included also are reports on the Yukon Women's Transition Home, in operation in the past year and a half, a Help Distress Centre, a recently-established Crisis Line service, and the planned revitalization of the Whitehorse Women's Centre. A complimentary article provides practical advice on how to minimize hassles and delays when applying for government grants to fund women's programs.


$3/yr.