About 60 people shared their thoughts at a prayer circle held Wednesday by the Council of Yukon First Nations. (CBC)

First Nations communities across the Yukon held a special day of prayer Wednesday to acknowledge a large number of recent deaths they believe are connected to compensation for former students of Indian residential schools.

In Whitehorse, about 60 people formed a circle, sang and spoke at a 45-minute-long prayer service hosted by Council of Yukon First Nations.

"We know that each and every community — including the city of Whitehorse — has suffered some losses in the last few months, and it's been a really high number of people that have gone on to the spirit world," Grand Chief Andy Carvill told CBC News at Wednesday morning's service.

"This is one way to help some of the people to deal with it, to help them with their grief."

About 30 people gathered at the Kwanlin Dun First Nation in Whitehorse for its own prayer circle. The crowd marched about a kilometre, from the First Nation's administrative building to Elijah Smith Elementary School.

"Even if [people] weren't a part of the march or the prayer, hopefully they would have taken a minute to remember those that they have lost," said Marie Martin, who helped organize the Kwanlin Dun prayer circle.

Most other communities across the Yukon were also expected to hold their own services.

Many First Nations leaders believe the deaths are related to drug and alcohol problems, often fuelled by compensation payments former students received for the experiences and abuses they endured in residential schools.

At least 19 funerals have been held in the Yukon in recent months for former students who had received thousands of dollars in compensation from the federal government.

"There's a lot of stories coming through here that people have died because of the money that they've received," said Norman Drynock, executive director of the Committee on Abuse in Residential Schools (CAIRS) in Whitehorse.

The territory-wide prayer circle, which began at 9:30 a.m. PT, was the idea of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations in Haines Junction.

Chief Diane Strand said many Yukon communities have been reeling from the recent deaths, with no time to process their grief.

A prayer circle would show people that they are not alone "and that we have strength amongst us as First Nations people and that we are one big happy family, so to speak," Strand said in an interview earlier this month. "We can do this together."

Recalling experiences takes emotional toll

About $27 million in compensation cheques has flowed into the Yukon since September. To qualify for that money, former students have had to recall their experiences at residential schools — experiences that often include physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Having to recall those experiences, then getting large compensation cheques, has led some former students to seek solace in alcohol and drugs with their money, Drynock said.

"It's because of this here, this lack of support for people out there, that people that haven't drank for years started drinking again," he said.

It has also led others to seek help at CAIRS, which provides counselling to former students, as well as at places like the Kwanlin Dun Wellness Program in Whitehorse.

Wellness program co-ordinator Nyla Klugie said many former students are spending their money on drugs and alcohol, which has led to health problems and even death.

Klugie recently lost her uncle: "He would've been 55 last Friday," she said.

"Once he received his money, you know, hopefully it was time for him to move forward in his life. But it reversed."

The federal government has provided funding to hire three resolution support workers to listen to Yukoners in need, but First Nations health officials have said that is not enough.

Carvill said he believes Wednesday's prayer circles are just one way communities are trying to help residential school survivors deal with the compensation money.

While former students cannot be told what to do with their own money, Carvill said people can try to help them make better choices.