A new national mental health strategy plays up Yukon's land-based treatment facility as an example of new ways of dealing with addictions but advocates say there's still no money for the initiative.

Council of Yukon First Nations grand chief Ruth Massie told a gathering that they're still in talks to try get the Jackson Lake facility funded.

Council of Yukon First Nations grand chief Ruth Massie said they're still in talks to try get the Jackson Lake healing facility funded. (CBC)

"This program has been unable to continue due to issues with secure funding," she said.

Land-based treatment for Yukon First Nation people was highlighted in the launch of a national Mental Health Strategy. The Canada-wide strategy was officially unveiled last week in Ottawa and the first regional event was held Tuesday in Whitehorse.

Louise Bradley, the chief executive officer of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, said these programs need funding.

But Stu Whitley, Yukon deputy minister of Health and Social Services, said that means they'll have to look at cutting other programs to find the money.

“And I'm not just talking about the health care system," he said. "I'm also talking about the justice system and the corrections system and the other apparatus of government that is so costly. We have to start making choices.”

Whitley said he and top bureaucrats can look at where to trim but it's up to cabinet ministers to decide what goes in favour of land-based treatment.