Each year, the Yukon Order of Pioneers (YOOP) selects Mr. and Mrs. Yukon in recognition of two longtime Yukoners who have made lasting contributions to their communities. This year they have named Valerie Drummond (born Wakefield) and Dan Drummond of Haines Junction as the worthy representatives.
Growing a beard that contends for the winning length in the “Old Growth” category of the Strength and Style competition takes years of preparation, literally.
What is in a definition, and what if a word is ill-defined? Have you ever told a joke that just seemed to go too far and you wonder if you should have done it in the first place? The choice of a nickname or phrase seems like a whimsical opportunity to express the fun and …
The Boys and Girls Club of Yukon (BGCY) partners with Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous and hosts entertaining skits, from the Sourdough Sams to live auction more expansive and exciting date packages.
Amber Church’s solo exhibition True North Strong and Free features new work and is her first solo show in more than three-and-a-half years.
After scraping to survive the half marathon on Skiathos and then eating and drinking my way through Greece, I approached the Oct. 5 run on Santorini with some hesitation.
Each year we hope you take the time to remember on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, wherever we are. In the modern world and as we become more disconnected from the memories of what occurred, it becomes more important that we share the necessity of recalling what may occur …
Erin Holm will never forget the phone call she got while living in Australia in 2015. It was her father, calling to tell her he had been diagnosed with cancer and had only months to live. Holm moved home to Canada to be with him. In that time, he told her something important. “I will …
I was certain of my ability to casually run and enjoy the 21-kilometre Skiathos Trail Race, taking photos and enjoying the morning. Reality, however, can be a jarring experience…
The Yukon Arts Centre opened two new exhibitions on Sept. 5. One showcases the work of Advanced Artist Award recipient Lillian Loponen, who visited Finland to create an experiential interpretation of that country’s national epic folklore tale, Kalevala. The story is the Finnish cornerstone of its people. The other show is Leslie Leong’s Ubiquitous, which seeks to …
Skagway’s Nude and Rude Revue is once again visiting Whitehorse to share its specialized mx of performance art, including variety, vaudeville, burlesque, song and dance. The 12-member group, led by Juneauites Taylor Vidic and Cameron Brockett, is on an autumn “Guilty Pleasures” tour that will travel through Whitehorse, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Dawson City and, lastly, …
Major Funk and the Employment will bring their funky dance music that Yukoners know to BreakOut West this October With the emergence of streaming services, social media and new technology redefining challenges in the musical industry, how does an emerging musician advance their career past the local scene and into touring stardom? That’s the …
The Yukon Historical and Museums Association (YHMA) wants Yukoners to learn more about the history in their own towns. As part of the national Culture Days weekend event, which takes place across the country from Sept. 27 to 29, the association will be hosting a do-it-yourself Heritage Highlights Scavenger Hunt. The event is the result of …
Adventure therapy is designed to enhance the support work done in the health, mental health, education, justice and related human service fields. The 7th Canadian Adventure Therapy Symposium (CATS7) is an opportunity for over 100 delegates, including educators, traditional knowledge-keepers, therapists, professionals and students to gather. Together, they share best practices related to connecting people …
This year’s Teddy Bear Clinic will feature some new experiences for children and families. Karen Forward, Yukon Hospital Foundation president, said she and the staff at Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH) are looking forward to the event, which enables children to visit the hospital and have a positive experience. “Kids are much happier there than a …
Check-ups for stuffed noses (and arms, legs and bellies) Read More »
“Pieces of the Jagged Rocks” by artist Dee Bailey opens Sept. 6 with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Yukon Artists at Work Gallery in Whitehorse. Bailey’s engaging sculptural paintings look to celebrate wildlife and the landscape. She works with oil-based modelling clay to create paintings with depth. Coloured pieces of clay …
Director Tasha Hubbard’s nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, weaves a narrative exploring the history of colonialism in the Prairies, around Gerald Stanley’s trial around the death of Colton Bushie The Yukon Film Society (YFS) aims to bring limited release theatrical films to local audiences every winter through its Available Light Cinema (ALC) series. On Aug. …
Cardboard boat competitions around North America challenge the engineering and construction skills of participants. Skills Canada is hosting a cardboard boat competition as part of the Last Splash on Aug 16 Armed with cardboard, duct tape and your wits, can you get a boat to float? That’s the challenge that Samantha Hand, executive director of …
The Yukon Fish and Game Association’s Youth Outdoor Education Camp took place June 22 to 28 In an increasingly digital and wired world, the annual Yukon Fish and Game Association (YFGA) camp for Yukon youth is an opportunity to unplug from phones and games, experience the land and reconnect with the natural world. “It really …
A seven-hour drive north of Whitehorse, or one hour and 30 minutes north from Dawson City, the Tombstone Interpretive Centre sits as the gateway to one of the Yukon’s most iconic territorial parks. The views along the hiking trails serve as the backdrop for countless social media posts from visitors and Yukoners alike. But the …
Well-Read Books celebrates a lifetime of books with its 20th anniversary and it’s a labour of love for the partners that own the store, which has established itself as a venue for the arts community. Over the years, Well-Read has hosted everything from a wedding to a wake, as well as numerous poetry readings, storytellings, …
Well-Read Books will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and it’s a labour of love for the partners that own the store, which has established itself as a venue for the arts community. Over the years, Well-Read has hosted everything from a wedding to a wake, as well as numerous poetry readings, storytellings, concerts and …
[box]Hello readers, Do you have a tattoo that is important to you? Is it inspired by something or someone in the Yukon? Please submit a highres image of your ink along with a brief explanation of its significance to [email protected][/box]
This Canada Day, Yukoners will celebrate in communities across the territory with traditional activities. In Mayo, the day’s festivities coincide with the Mayo Arts Festival where local artists, craftspeople and musicians share their talents and creations with others. In Watson Lake, they’ll celebrate Canada Day with festivities at the Lucky Lake Park and water slide, …
Yukon Innovation Prize finalist Michael Gerasimoff wants to help transition heating in the Yukon from fossil fuels to biomass (wood) while maintaining the excellent air quality that is a cherished aspect of living in the North. Gerasimoff has a background working in climate change and engineering fields and is a registered professional engineer in geology. …
Like another project, Yukon Innovation Prize finalists Cody Reaume and Thomas Jacquin are focused on improving the energy efficiency of Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs.) The units have become a mandatory part of northern construction because, as buildings become more insulated and efficient, the amount of fresh air capable of circulating into the structure is reduced. …
Solar air heating panels could be mounted on the side of the house Energy efficiency and well-ventilated healthy air. Yukon Innovation Prize finalist Shane Wolfe is attempting to maximize the potential of heat-recovery ventilation (HRV) units that are integral for those two concepts to co-exist in a building. Northern construction has worked extensively to balance …
Yukon Innovation Prize finalist Sabrina Clarke was a worm composting novice when she first moved to Montreal. In fact, the city didn’t have a composting program at all and residents had to devise their own solutions. Clarke lucked out by developing an idea she’s parlayed into a new project, Yukon Wigglers. “A friend [in Montreal] …
Worming their way onto a kitchen counter near you Read More »
This summer, the Boys and Girls Club of Yukon (BGCY) will celebrate its 20th year in the territory by expanding activities for kids, as part of its work to engage young members and the community. BGCY has been delivering programs, including the Learning Tree Daycare, where children between the ages of 18 months and five …
May 4 has long, long been, even in countries far, far away, celebrated in geek culture. “May the fourth be with you” has been an inside joke for years. It only seems fitting that Titan Gaming & Collectibles’ Free Comic Book Day concludes an historic few weeks in geek culture. The current run began with …
Each year, Earth Day focuses on a specific theme to raise awareness of a particular environmental issue we are currently facing. (Last year’s theme encouraged people to make positive changes in their lifestyles by reducing their plastic consumption.) This year, Earth Day aims to draw attention to threatened and endangered species across the planet. Here, …
The Company of the White Wolf is Whitehorse’s medieval combat fighting group, but there is a common misconception that their activities can be classified as live action role-playing, aka LARPing. Live Action Role-Playing involves dressing up in costume and enacting the type of interactive role-playing game that would normally be confined to kitchen tables or …
Every little bit helps. That’s the philosophy behind Yukon Denim Day and the support that Yukoners Cancer Care Fund provides to individuals affected by cancer.
Since launching Yukon Brewing, Alan Hansen and Bob Baxter have proven that they know their beer. With the success of Two Brewers whisky over the past few years, they’ve demonstrated to the Canadian marketplace that they know their liquor as well. Their efforts garnered a gold medal and “Best Single Malt of the Year” at …
Junction Arts and Music celebrate 20 years, close to 400 events and more than 17,000 attendees.
Peter Jickling has a casualness about him. He sits, relaxed, sipping a beer as he relates the inspiration for his new book of poetry, Downtown Flirt. The book itself reflects a period in his life where he explored moving to Toronto to see what was possible outside the Yukon. “I knew I wanted to move to …
In the midst of Sourdough Sams, tattoo competitions, and beard and leg hair-growing contests, Yukon kids need a place to call their own during Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.
The Chinese Canadian Association of Yukon hosts its annual Chinese New Year feast on February 2 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. The annual event, which marks the start of the Year of the Pig, is an opportunity for our Chinese Canadian residents to share some of their culture with the rest of the Whitehorse.
On January 15, Tentrees was joined on the small Hamilton and Son stage for his 90-minute performance by Amelia Rose Slobogean (fiddle) and Graeme Peters (guitar). The trio explored some of their new works and shared their crafting experiences and inspirations of the pieces, displaying a rare chance to see the creative process through someone else’s eyes.
The 50th running of the Alcan 200 International Snow Machine Road Rally takes place on the third weekend in January, attracting snow-machine enthusiasts from Alaska, the Yukon and northern B.C.
The Filipino Canadian Basketball League Yukon (FCBLY) held their annual kickoff weekend on Saturday, November 17 and the highly anticipated event filled F.H. Collins gym for the weekend. The FCBLY president, Joselito Tobias, has been involved in the league for seven years and has seen the evolution of the league into the sport of choice …
After almost nine months on the job, the Honourable Angélique Bernard is loving her new role as the Commissioner of Yukon. That time has been mostly spent meeting people and educating them on the role of the Commissioner. Bernard notes that the responsibilities of the role are unknown to many Yukoners, since she is not …
Denis McCrae saw an advertisement asking for volunteers at the Thomson Centre, about two years ago, and thought to himself, I have some time to spare, I can do that. He wasn’t quite certain what he was getting into, but McCrae is glad he did. It has turned out to be one of the best …
The second annual Geek the Halls craft fair is a different affair than the larger, more established craft fairs. But the vendors participating are a different sort of crafters and artists than the traditional Yukon crafters. Carrie Jackson, the Yukon Comic Culture Society president, explained that the society hosts creators who are focused on geek …
Geek the Halls, a craft fair for the geeks-of-us Read More »
It’s important to reflect each November 11th and remember those young men and women who gave their lives on behalf of their country.
Main Street Society folded into the Chamber. The agreement included making sure there was a Main St. presence.
On October 9, Whitehorse fantasy artist Kimberley Crawford launched her new project, Unspoken Gods. The project reflects her own creations and will focus on large visual-art pieces that tell stories. The new project is a big step for Crawford towards what she loves doing. The launch comes from a review of her priorities. Crawford realized …
Hello Everybody, We invite you to share your photos of Yukon life. Email your high-resolution images with a description of what’s going on to [email protected] Happy 100th Birthday, Olive Patton! What’s Up Yukon author Doug Sack wrote an article for our May 23, 2018, edition highlighting the most recent (2016) statistics that displayed the Yukon …
Yukon See It Here: Happy 100th Birthday, Olive Patton! Read More »
Martin’s solo career launched when The Tea Party went on a hiatus in 2005, before getting back together in 2011. The break provided an opportunity for the three bandmates to reset and explore different opportunities after a long stint together. Martin and Burrows had a band when they were 10 years old, and met Chatwood …
Upper Tanana artist Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé has teamed up with Whitehorse-based artist Nicole Bauberger to create a scavenger hunt of installations and events this fall. The artists began collaborating a year ago around the idea that the shattered tire fragments you find by the side of the road resemble ravens. They began exploring the material’s …
Children sometimes will look not grieving at all, then they’re in it all at once,” said Deb Higgins, with Hospice Yukon.
The Yukon portion of Culture Days will happen at numerous locations around Whitehorse on the last weekend in September as part of a national effort to increase participation in arts and culture. The event was created in response to the success of Québec’s Journées de la culture weekend that first took place in 2007. Michelle …
Long-time Yukoners have watched with interest as the “old Food Fair” building has undergone extensive renovations on Second Avenue. The building has long sat vacant and curious viewers have watched with interest, wondering who the new residents might be. That wait is now over as the new YuKonstruct space has opened for members and the …
Evolution and expansion are the words to describe the next steps in Halin de Repentigny’s 40-plus-years journey as a northern artist. His upcoming gallery showcase, “Homestay” – Keep the Fire Burning, in September, will continue his depictions of northern lifestyles. It’s a collection of all new work that he painted last winter in Dawson City. …
I’ve been there, watching a play when it happens. A sharp staccato rings out as the actor’s hand makes contact with their partner’s face onstage, and audience members grimace in sympathy, knowing that the fake slap made real contact. Usually the actor fights through the pain and tears to complete the scene before (in my …
September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day The inaugural Teddy Bear Clinic in November 2017 was a hit with families and medical professionals alike as about 200 families came through the door to get checkups for their important stuffie friends. Those attendance numbers, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and children, made it essential …
Today’s the day the teddy bears have their clinic Read More »
Only in the Yukon would we conceptualize a relay race where hundreds of people (when it first started) run along a highway through the night. Not to mention, we’ll decide to make all the race legs about a half marathon, so while you are battling the demands of your circadian rhythm to curl up into …
Business After Hours (BAHs) are a regular fall and winter activity for networking professionals in Whitehorse.
This year, the Yukon Comic Culture Society will be scaling back Yukomicon, and in lieu of hosting a full-blown Con, they will hold the Get Your Geek On! craft fair on August 25 at the Gold Rush Inn Town Hall.
A fundraising concert for the Yukon Literacy Coalition, with original songs inspired by Beowulf, will take place on August 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Well Read Books.
Miles Canyon holds a special place in the story of Whitehorse. Each summer, the Yukon Conservation Society invites Yukon artists to participate in a two-day workshop to create pieces inspired by this special place.
The annual mud bog competition is back on July 21 on Robert Service Way
Titan Gaming and Collectibles is adding Fortnite to its menu of gaming options, and they’re marking the occasion with a kickoff tournament on July 14.
The Land and Light Gallery, part of MacBride’s new expansion, will open July 5 and will feature 11 of Ted Harrison’s paintings.
For decades, George Arcand has been an institution for softball in the Yukon, getting his start as a volunteer in the mid-1970s.
Chad Thomas, manager of the XY Charlie Crew, is leading the development of top-level wildland fire professionals in the Yukon, for First Nations.
The Klondike Follies Cabaret shows will take place three times each week, beginning on June 26, 28 and 30.
Over 10-million people across the globe have been part of an art project that placed 1,890 street pianos at 75 installations in 60 cities. Local musician Grant Simpson saw that there was an opportunity to do a made-in-the-Yukon version.
With all due respect to the Olympics, there is no competition on Earth that captures the passion of spectators like the FIFA World Cup.
Members of the Haines Junction Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) attended the annual JCR National Marksmanship Championship in St. Catharines, Ontario, in early May.
Beginning on May 31, guest DJs will perform on the Whitehorse Wharf, providing a summer dance floor for Yukon families and dance music fans.
The Transportation Museum has been hosting an annual spring barbecue for several years. It provides them an opportunity to highlight their summer season programming.
The long-running Fireweed community farmers market has grown over the years into a destination event each week, as a multitude of local farmers, vendors and crafters gather to share their products.
For 22 years and going strong, LePage Park has become a hub for arts and culture during the summer months. The new season of Arts in the Park launches on May 22 with a free barbecue.
When Bailey Rumbolt first arrived at the Boys and Girls Club of Yukon (BGCY) in 2015, she would never have guessed that it would lead her to big changes in her life.
Many Yukoners will have seen members of the Company of the White Wolf at events around the territory. It’s hard to miss grown men and women dressed in full medieval combat armour, striking each other with swords and axes.
What’s Up Yukon’s weekly recipe developer, Sydney Oland, has undertaken a new venture, the Yukon Chocolate Company. The new business leverages her eight years of experience in the chocolate-making industry to offer chocolate made fresh from cacao beans.
The Yukon Chamber of Mines has prioritized outreach and community engagement as part of their programming. Heading into its 10th year, the annual Mining and Exploration Camp, which is held during Yukon Mining Week each spring, is one of two major events geared towards that work. (Family Day, held during the annual Geoscience Forum in …
It’s the nature of short Yukon summers for Yukoners to seize every moment and they perhaps forget about things like contributions to the food bank.
The Vanier Junior Jazz Band won first place in the Under 16 category of BYTE’s Battle of the Bands – again!
The Yukon Playwrights Conference will feature information sessions presented by guest playwrights from outside of the territory and Yukon playwrights. They include, from top left Jacob Zimmer, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, Kevin Loring, Monique Renaud, Wren Brian, Roy Ness, Patti Flather, Doug Rutherford, Brian Fidler, Reneltta Arluk, Leonard Linklater and Kevin Kennedy. PHOTO: courtesy of the …
Jay Gough of Nikon Canada, along with Trisha Gillings of Panasonic Canada (not pictured), will be on site all day with trade show style booths demonstrating their latest equipment, and delivering “Tech Talks” over the lunch hour It’s springtime in the Yukon and our days are getting longer, Yukoners are preparing for the summer season …
Until you see it firsthand, it is difficult to comprehend the personal, professional and financial complications unleashed by a cancer diagnosis.
Big Bear Donair shares a parking lot with the old Salvation Army and wouldn’t be the first location many would look to for a new business venture.
Spring. Daylight. Forward. Change. These words all individually invoke positivity and renewal.
More than 200 Yukon students gathered at F.H. Collins Secondary School to participate in the territory’s Destination Imagination Yukon Tournament.
There seems to be a list of basic tools that you need to have to fill your obligations to society as a handyman of even a middling familiarity and competency.
The Whitehorse Dice Knights are providing a haven for roleplaying gamers who are “LFG” – or looking for group – in the Yukon’s capital.
The Frostbite Music Festival returns in 2018, on a new date, and has embraced the theme of rising from the ashes.
The preparation for the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Colour Wars can get pretty messy, but the end result has turned into one of the most anticipated events of the Rendezvous weekend. It is the final event scheduled for Shipyards Park on Sunday and definitely leaves a mark on landscape. The free-for-all event leaves no participant uncoloured. …
Al Oster plays in Hougens in 1961 – PHOTOS: courtesy of Rolf Hougen This article uses information and content shared by Rolf Hougen from the HougenGroup.com website to commemorate Al Oster.Our Yukon heritage is a mix of different traditions and different eras, including First Nations history, gold rush stories, the construction of the Alaska Highway …
The Skookum Jim Folklore Show has become an annual tradition that celebrates First Nation traditions, community and culture.
The annual BYTE Battle of the Bands, which will feature up to 10 groups, has been taking place for over a decade and has teamed up for the second year with Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous as an affiliated event at Shipyards Park.
The Chinese New Year is the celebration of the Lunar New Year and considered the beginning of spring. Due to the Chinese calendar’s reliance on the lunisolar cycle, which is based on the exact astronomical observations of the sun’s longitude and the Moon’s phases, the new year is a floating date and usually occurs between …
The 2018 Available Light Film Festival (ALFF) features a strong Indigenous presence in this year’s films – and in the audience, with more than 40 guests attending from Outside.
Brenda Buren (left) and Lindsay Agar (right) present staff from BMO ribbons for Best Bank and Best Overall in the 2017 Business Decor Competition Yukon businesses have been celebrating Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous with window painting and decorating for decades. The festive atmosphere builds anticipation for the event and helps cultivate the Klondike Gold Rush-era feel …
The local hockey team, led by coach Michael Nemeth, is a semi finalist in the nationwide Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup Competition this year.
The 2018 Eldorado Line: Steal Your Fella Ella (left), Last Call Liz, Razzle Dazzle Rachel, Lollipop Ginger Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous season begins in February, but for some people it is a year round commitment. The women of the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Cancan Line are arguably the most in-demand group during Rendezvous, and their appearance bookings …
The Lights Out Invitational Basketball Tournament has helped turn the lights on for the adult basketball community in Whitehorse. The tournament, cleverly named due to the lack of light in January and how a player can shoot the lights out on the way to the championship, has grown over the years from its humble, four …
According to the Yukon Commissioner’s office, the New Year’s Levee is an old tradition that dates back to King Louis XIV of France and was first introduced in Canada when fur traders would pay respect to their government representatives on New Year’s Day. The annual event has evolved from these beginnings and the levee this …
The holiday season ushers in all kinds of warming specialty drinks to cozy up with around the house. This Hot Dickens Cider is named after A Christmas Carol author Charles Dickens. I have no idea why, as it’s a variant of the original recipe “borrowed” from my brother. It’s a wonderful warming drink that carries …
When Barry Bellchambers acquired the Whitehorse Lions Pool in 2004, filled it, and created the Yukon Convention Centre, he had a vision of bringing live music to the Yukon. Classic rock bands like April Wine, Nazareth, Randy Bachman, Steve Earle, and Dr. Hook all performed in Whitehorse as part of Bellchambers’ efforts. That era of flying …
Holiday season is a time of celebration. For Hospice Yukon, it is the time to offer support to grieving Yukoners during the Lights of Life
For the volunteers who served at the soup kitchen, it was a labour of love and giving back to the community. Closing the doors simply means, what’s next?
“It’s okay to not be okay,” said Reverend Bev Brazier. That’s the concept around the Blue Christmas service held at the United Church on Sunday, December 3. The annual service anticipates that Christmas can be a very intense and challenging time for some people.
The 15th annual Northwestel Festival of Trees will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 23 with the Business After Hours (BAH) Humbug event at the Yukon government Main Administration Building foyer. The annual fundraising event for Yukon health care concludes on Dec. 2 with the Alkan Air Grand Ball, a formal seated dinner that is already …
The 45th annual Geoscience Forum is organized by the Yukon Chamber of Mines as an opportunity for everyone to learn more about mining, aviation, the environmental sciences and other aspects of the mineral exploration industry.
Remembrance Day is now as much an opportunity to recognize all those men and women who have served and returned home. We owe them thanks. That’s why we wear our poppies and hold our ceremonies, to support and remember.
On November 4, small groups of Yukoners will gather in living rooms and basements for viewing parties to watch the League of Legends World Championship final.
Blue Feather Music Festival is entering its 17th year and is still holding true to its roots, providing healing, sharing culture and providing positive opportunities for youth to grow.
The editor at What’s Up Yukon doesn’t often receive handwritten letters, but there were two on file when I arrived. We’ve sent Mrs. Schorn a copy of her letter in print and I hope she’s found some new penpals from our efforts. The other letter on file was from Ray, a man who is currently …
Editor’s Note: Heck no! We won’t go! Heck no! We won’t go back to our basements, comics, and computer screens. Yukon geeks are a strong, diverse community and What’s Up Yukon does a great job profiling the signature event, Yukomicon. However, every week different groups are organizing events, socializing and gaming. This large subculture happens right …
Wine-lovers will descend on the High Country Convention Centre on Thursday, October 19, for the 26th edition of the Rendezvous Rotary Wine Festival. These grape connoisseurs will have over 200 wines available for sampling and tasting. Those lucky enough to hold one of the 100 priority tasting tickets secured one of the hottest tickets in …
Fall has arrived and Yukoners have all started to settle into our winter routines. This busy time of year seems like the perfect time to take over as editor of What’s Up Yukon. I’m excited for the challenge and have already had some great ideas sent my way, so stay tuned over the coming months …
