Didee & Didoo: I SHOOK THEIR HANDS
REGGIE LEACH – NHL HOCKEY PLAYER. GEORGE CHUVALO – PROFESSIONAL BOXER. CHIEF PETER MOSES – BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL. PIERRE TRUDEAU – PRIME MINISTER. GEORGE ATTLA
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Yukon
The Yukon is unlike any other place in the world, capturing the hearts and imagination of residents and travellers alike.
The Strange Story of Mary Hanulik Garden
Dawson City blooms in the summer. It’s a process that begins in some local commercial greenhouses and explodes after the horticultural booths at the Gold
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Atlin Arts and Music Festival: A Feast for the Senses
The Atlin Arts and Music Festival, music, visual arts, film and food, is about building community through music and art.
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Stereoscopic Views
Looking through Sid’s antiquities I spot a familiar sight: stereoscopes. I had a pair of bright orange View Masters (a trademarked format of stereoscope) when
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Pioneer Agronomist
The Hidden Histories Society Yukon collects stories and research on people of Asian and Black heritage who have contributed to the Yukon. It’s been doing
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Didee & Didoo: AT OLD CROW
Didee & Didoo by Allen Benjamin: At Old Crow WE DON’T HAVE TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WE DON’T HAVE ELEVATORS. WE DON’T HAVE BRIDGES. WE DON’T HAVE
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Gold Fever is Alive and Well
Panning for gold the old-fashioned way is an art and a science, though you don’t have to be an expert in either to take part
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The Joys of Reading Aloud
Jack London’s The Call of the Wild is not a particularly long book. A mere 70 pages, perhaps a few more in a version with
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Interview with a Local Transman
Identifying as a transgender person in any community presents risks and challenges, which is partly why the transgender man interviewed for this article chose to
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A Canada Day Celebration Worth Driving To
Mayo Arts Festival offers a unique way to celebrate Canada’s birthday with artists, workshops and musicians from the Stewart River Valley
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Didee & Didoo: After A Race
I CAN SLEEP. I’M NOT NERVOUS. I CAN BREATHE. I CAN TALK. I DON’T CHOKE. MY HEART BEATS NORMAL. I’M NOT STIFF. I CAN KEEP
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A Big Night in a Small Town
The Teslin Arena is going to be rocking on June 25. Canadian country acts Aaron Pritchett, Cory Marquardt and Roger Gabriel are coming to town
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Chasing Stories in Skagway
My shakedown cruise for our trailer has come to be my annual pilgrimage to the town of Skagway to attend the North Words Writers’ Symposium,
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Banners! Banners!
“They were popular back in the 1960s,” Sid tells me as we stand in one of his many garages. Built attached to his house, his old
Easy Riders
Next Thursday up to 300 motorcyclists will descend on Dawson City for the 29th gathering of Dust 2 Dawson Motorcycle Ride. Dick Van Nostrand, a
Tlingit Treasure
On Saturday May 14th, under sunny skies, hundreds of spectators celebrated the Grand Opening of the Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Heritage Centre and Bald Eagle Preserve
Didee & Didoo: BEFORE A RACE
I CAN’T SLEEP. I SHAKE. I’M NERVOUS. I CAN’T BREATHE. I CAN’T TALK. I ALMOST CHOKE. MY HEART BEATS FAST. I GET STIFF. I CAN’T
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A Little or a Lot, Get Ready to Run
Dawson City runners have been pleased to participate in the Mayo Marathon. This year there is a Dempster to Dawson (or D2DC) Solstice Race.
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Looking after each other
in 1996, the Mount Lorne fire hall opened it’s doors with a 1977 Ford cabover truck with an 800-gallon tank and a 125 horsepower pump
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Cumin Mango Chutney
Having trouble finding uses for your abundant mango crops? Look no further than this exotic chutney, combining the bright, tropical flavour of mango with the
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On Top of the World at the Top of the World
Ever wanted to toss a log or throw a 20-pound rock? Top of the World Highland Games and Celtic Festival in Dawson City is for you.
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Didee & Didoo: WHAT ANIMALS THINK OF US
THEY WALK ON TWO FEET. THEY DON’T HAVE TAILS. THEY DON’T BARK. THEY DON’T PANT. THEY DON’T HAVE FUR. THEY DON’T HAVE HORNS. THEY DON’T
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A (Very Rare) Letter From The Editor
On Monday mornings, I get up and check my email. If I have worked over the weekend, I usually only have 30 or 40 unread
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The Little Fish With Many Names
Someone once said, “Give a man a fish, and you will teach a man where to get free fish.” If you try to give a
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Stay on the Trail
“It requires a lot of discipline to stay on the trail – not just the ski trail,” says Gary Bailie, “but the trail of life.”
Yoga Through the Summer
Dawson City – get ready for yoga with Sabu Chaitanya. He’s on his way to instruct a full one-month intensive in the Klondike. The course
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Oh, Beer. Maybe Next Year?
It’s a gathering where you may sip the tingly bitterness of a pale ale, sample salty snacks from the “bacon booth” and lock eyes magically
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Celebrating Jack London’s Legacy
One of the stops along Dawson’s 8th Avenue Writers’ Block is Jack London Square, home of a part of Jack London’s Klondike cabin and the
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Putting the WOW in Tombstone Park
Looking for a memorable northern road trip? The 17th annual Tombstone Weekend on the Wing (WOW) offers three days of fabulous hiking, a birding festival
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Didee & Didoo: NOT GUILTY
THEY WORK OVERTIME TO COMMIT CRIME. THEIR MANNERS THEY DON’T USE AN’ THEY LIKE TO ABUSE. THEY LIKE TO ROB AN’ THAT’S THEIR JOB. THEY
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Propeller Invention
Sid van der Meer hustles about Beaver Creek’s Visitor Information Centre preparing his workplace for the 2016 tourism season. With new Yukon tourism commercials airing
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An Enterprising Adventurer
The lure of the Yukon brought many enterprising people north. Togo Takamatsu was one of them. He was born in Chojumura, Japan on February 10, 1875
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Wine Jelly
My first try at making wine jelly occurred recently while visiting my hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. My mom and I spent an afternoon together
New Artistic Director used to couch surf at The Guild Hall
One of Brian Fidler’s first memories of the Yukon is sleeping on the couch at The Guild Hall. He had just arrived in town and
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Annual Birdathon a Tweet Event
The birds are back! And so is the annual Yukon Birdathon – a 24-hour birding extravaganza and sweet fundraiser. Held the last weekend in May,
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Forget the Tortoise…
The lynx waits patiently by an animal trail at edge of the forest. A snowshoe hare emerges and the chase is on! Within a handful
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The Exciting Bird Migration Period
Back in the early 1960s, I was involved in the capture and banding of waterfowl and consequently receiving the follow up data on just how
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Gearing up for the 30th Gold Show
There are three major changes that can be seen in the organization of the 30th edition of the Dawson City International Gold Show, which will
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Music for Fun and a Good Cause
“Ten years we’ve been doing this and we never quite know what’s going to happen each time.” Nijen Holland (usually just known as Nijen) was
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Didee & Didoo: SERIOUS TRAINING
SERIOUS TRAINING I’M A VUNTUT GWICHIN ATHLETE AND I ALWAYS COMPETE. I’LL RUN WHEN IT’S SNOWING OR RAINING BECAUSE I’M IN SERIOUS TRAINING. I DON’T
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A Bird in the Hand is Messy
I don’t like crows. I never have, and probably never will. I can spend hours watching eagles soar and glide on the thermals. I love blue
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Ready to work; ready to shine
The Yukon Association for Community Living is trying something they’ve never done before: they’re entering the film business. The organization has a mission is to
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The Yukon and the First World War
In the view of Dr. Ken Coates, the North’s response to the challenge presented by World War I was to do the opposite of what
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Twenty Years of Pioneer Women Celebrated at the Hospital
Twenty years ago the late Madeleine Gould’s lengthy quest (1987-1996) to join the Yukon Order of Pioneers ended with a Supreme Court of Canada decision.
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Catch A Cutthroat
This is an awkward time of year for fishing. Each day, as the amount of daylight lengthens, we grow impatient to be back outside, with
A Fascinating Creature: The Bat
Of all creatures I have had the to opportunity to be involved with, the bat is the most interesting. The bat is also a creatures
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The Beauty of Icelandic Socks
Blönduós is a small town situated at the mouth of River Blanda, in northwest Iceland. Iceland is largely an Arctic desert punctuated by mountains, glaciers,
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Sophia Flather
“It felt like home” is what Sophia Flather says of the first summer she lived in Old Crow. While working as a summer student there
Nothing, Nothing, Nothing… Then Honks Galore!
Sometimes it seems like maybe they might not come. Then you hear them: the faint, high-pitched croaking, growing louder and louder. Then the sky fills
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Oh, Chickadee!
Of all the birds of the forest, the chickadee is my favourite. Growing up in Nova Scotia, it was one of the first birds I
Entrepreneurs share success
Just because you have a great idea for a business, it doesn’t automatically follow that you have an idea of how to get it up
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Mrs. Black Goes to War
During the Great War of 1914-1918, nearly a thousand Yukoners enlisted for service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, or fought for Britain, France and other
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Art Nights in Alaska
First Friday is an opportunity to experience art, and speak with local artists, and enjoy the downtown in a social setting.
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The role of the KVA in the Klondike
The KVA spends money marketing Dawson City as a tourism destination, an effort that benefits the entire Yukon.
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The Next Act
Longtime Yukon teacher Mary Sloan and rapper Eminem have something in common. They both got their careers started in Detroit’s notorious 8-Mile district. However, Sloan’s
Surviving a Grizzly Attack and the Great War
Jim Christie was born in Scotland in 1867. He emigrated to Manitoba and then came to the Klondike in 1898. The short, wiry Scotsman took
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Venturing North
Born in 1950 in the Philippines, Socorro Alfonso travelled halfway around the world to live in the Yukon. Socorro was born on the tiny tropical
Taking it to the Streets
The streets of Dawson vary in size, height, width and smoothness with the seasons. In spite of snowfall and the need to plough them, they
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Joe Boyle: The Klondike King Who Became a War Hero
Joe Boyle came to the Klondike with the first wave of gold-seekers in the early summer of 1897, but soon left with a dream of
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Converting Adventure into Books and Film
Dianne Whelan is an award winning filmmaker, photographer and author who lived, until fairly recently, in Vancouver. At the time of this interview she was
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Dawson and the Harrison Effect
I’ve been enjoying a couple of relatively new books about the work of the latecTed Harrison. They are Ted Harrison Collected (Douglas & McIntyre) and
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Flat Feet and Brave Hearts: The Yukon at War
Canada was part of the British Empire, so when war was declared by Great Britain on August 4, 1914, Canada, too, joined the the conflict.
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Sharing His Knowledge of Wolves
For 20 years, Robert (Bob) Hayes was the Yukon’s wolf biologist. During those years, he studied hundreds of radio-collared wolves and conducted several long-term wolf-prey
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You Know It’s Spring When the Swans Arrive
“Last year was a big year,” says Scott Cameron, Environment Yukon’s Wildlife Viewing Technician. “We were up to 2,000 swans every day for a few
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Technology Meets Art
A new exhibition has opened at the ODD Gallery in Dawson City. Ommatida Muralis, which runs until April 16, is a new interactive installation by
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Didee & Didoo: DIDOO NEVER HAD THESE THINGS
DIDOO COULDN’T WRITE OR READ SO THESE THINGS SHE DIDN’T NEED. DIDOO NEVER HAD A MEASURING CUP. DIDOO NEVER HAD MEASURING SPOONS. DIDOO NEVER HAD
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Germans love Jack London
Why is Robert Service so much better known here than Jack London? This question comes from Wolfgang Robert Greiner, one of five German journalists I
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Everything But the Sake
Japan is a country that is rich in history and has made quite the presence within popular Western culture. Think ninjas, samurai warriors, cherry blossoms,
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It’s 40 years of mushing on the Percy DeWolfe Trail
Anna Claxton and the rest of the Percy DeWolfe Race Committee were hugely relieved to be able to announce that the “really hard working, amazing,
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Didee & Didoo: RED LANTERN
YOUR TEAM IS NEVER IN THE LEAD ‘CAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE SPEED. THEY’RE ALWAYS LAST ‘CAUSE THEY’RE NOT FAST. YOU’RE THE LAST TO THE
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Year 17 sees an abundance of Yukon Films at the Festival
On Easter weekend the ballroom of the Oddfellows Hall will be filled with hundreds of short film fans celebrating the 17th edition of the Dawson
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How’s Retirement Working Out for You?
The other day, I overheard a couple of guys in a coffee shop talking about their impending retirement. One is about to pack it in
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Bottoms Up!
Feeling thirsty this Saint Patrick’s Day? Your librations need not come from far away this weekend. Home-grown beer and spirit producer Yukon Brewing has recently
Announcing Yukon’s Unofficial Other March Long Weekend
With late February temperatures maxing out at +4 in Dawson, it’s hard to say just what this year’s Thaw di Gras, Spring Carnival will be
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Muzzle-Loaders
Until the mid to late 1800s, all firearms were muzzle-loaders, which, as the name implies, had to be loaded singly by pushing the components –
Hawaii in a Mason Jar
One thing I often notice about winter is the way it makes you really appreciate warmth. It feels great to get out of the cold,
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Avoiding Lemons
Up until mid-July of last year, I had always had the same car – a 1999 standard transmission Honda CRV. When the rear CV joint
Didee & Didoo: STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
DON’T SHOOT CARIBOU AND MOOSE WHEN THEY’RE RUTTING. THREE RIFLE SHOTS MEANS “DISTRESS.” CHECK ICE THICKNESS BEFORE CROSSING. WEAR SUNGLASSES IN THE SPRING TIME. STAY
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Barb McInerney
Barb McInerney came up to the Yukon in the 1970s to work in a camp kitchen. Though she worked in mining before starting at Kaushee’s
The Art of Eating
Suppose you are a French entrepreneur, and you are looking for a new business idea to develop in Whitehorse. What do you do ?
Yukon Hidden History: Extraordinary Endurance
Lucile Hunter was an intrepid Yukon pioneer. Just 35 years after slavery was abolished in 1863 in the United States, she and her husband, Charles,
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Myth and Medium Focuses on Stories and Performance
This week shaped up to be a culturally ambitious one in Dawson City. The centerpiece of the week has been the Myth and Medium conference
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What You Might Not Know About Ducks
Back in the early 1960s, I spent a couple of years banding waterfowl in one of the newly-created marshes of the hydro project in Lake
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Didee & Didoo: I MADE A FIDDLE
FIDDLES COST TOO MUCH THEY WOULDN’T LET ME TOUCH. SO WHEN I WAS LITTLE I MADE MY OWN FIDDLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOON BUT
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Examining the Quest to Understand the Aurora Borealis
The most recent exhibition at Dawson’s ODD Gallery is nothing if not seasonal for its subject is the northern lights, also called aurora borealis, the
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Showing Torontonians What’s Happening in Old Crow
photos from Old Crow, Yukon Territory, and Inuvik, Northwest Territories from youth workshops held by BYTE
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One-Two-Tweet…
There’s nothing like a bird count to inspire new and seasoned birders. This Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Feb. 12-15 and it’s a
Of Heater Plugs and Roof Clearances
It’s not that there haven’t been warm winter spells at various times in Dawson, but this winter seems to be one for the books.
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Bison: From the Edge of Extinction
People driving down the highway may see a few bison, and never realize that this animal was at one time on the very edge of extinction.
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Never Too Young To Be An Old Timer
You don’t have to be a real old timer to play Oldtimers Hockey in Dawson City. Anyone from 35 years and up can play on
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The (Book) Case for Real Books
There are six bookcases in my study, and two of those are arranged so that I can shelve paperbacks on both sides of them. On
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A Place to Wander… and A Place to Stay
You can’t beat the price: $35 for a bed, $80-$95 for the private couple/family room or $25 for a place to pitch your tent, including
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Dawson Entrepreneur Finds her own Klondike Gold
Not just gold glitters in the Klondike. For Dawson City single-mother & entrepreneur, the pasties she makes sparkle too.
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Didee & Didoo: THERE’S ALL KINDS OF FORTS
THERE’S ALL KINDS OF FORTS. THERE’S FORT YUKON, ALASKA. THERE’S FORT MCPHERSON, NWT. THERE’S FORT SELKIRK, YUKON. THERE’S FORT GOOD HOPE, NWT. THERE’S FORT PROVIDENCE,
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Where will the ravens warm their toes?
Dawson is switching to LED (Light Emitting Diode) streetlights, swapping out the older HPS (high pressure sodium) for the newer, more eco-friendly, longer lasting lights.
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Art Crawl Dawson Style
Blair Douglas and Carly Woolner are hoping you’ll join them outside to have some fun this weekend. They are organizing the second annual edition of
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Explore, Dance, and Learn
February is known as Black History Month, March is known as Women’s History Month. In the Yukon, January could be known as Yukon History Month.
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Didee & Didoo: MY GYM
WHEN I MENTION MY GYM IT DOESN’T HAVE A BASKETBALL RIM. MY GYM IS THE GREAT OUTDOORS I SHARE IT WITH ANIMALS ON ALL FOURS.
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So much for the death of the printed book
I was very pleased to read recently that the L.A. Times reported 571 million print books were sold in 2015, 17 million more than in
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The Story of Eagles Paradise
Every November up to 3,600 eagles gather in one place: the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines, Alaska. It is the largest gathering of eagles
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Didee & Didoo: I’M LIKE A BALL
THEY MAKE A BALL ROUND AN’ THEY THROW IT AROUND. WHEN THEY PLAY FOR THE GREY CUP THEY KICK THE BALL WAY UP. THE BALL
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Barbershop and Hockey Talk
She is far more important to me than a friend. She is my trusted, longtime barber at Barber’s II. She has a remarkable ability to
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What Happened to the Kids?
Several months ago I walked into a beauty salon for advice on a skin problem. Kayla Dewdney appeared from the back of the shop. She looked
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Didee & Didoo: MOOSE AND RABBIT
THEY EAT WILLOW LEAVES IN THE AUTUMN AN’ ONLY RABBIT EATS AT THE BOTTOM. MOOSE AND RABBIT MADE A DEAL SO THAT THEY’LL BOTH HAVE
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Winning Awards with Husky Bus
Last month Jesse Cooke was the recipient of the Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award, at a ceremony held in Ottawa on Dec. 2. Cooke
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Making Plans for the Midnight Sun
Rumour has it the 2015 lineup is the Kluane Bluegrass Music Festival’s best yet. No shortage of interest in headlining 2 decades in.
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Flinch: The Rifle-Shooter’s Nemesis
Have you ever wondered why bullet holes are all over the target; or, worse, why you had a good sight-picture but the animal was poorly
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Christmas in Dawson
Christmas is a time of gatherings with family and friends. But what if you find yourself alone at that time of year? Well, if you’re
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Didee & Didoo: WHEN I GO HUNTING
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A HORSE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VULTURE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A ZEBRA. I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ELEPHANT. I
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Dawson Lights up for Christmas
We have reached that point in the season where we don’t get a lot of direct sunlight in Dawson City’s historic townsite. Those who live
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Reflections on Harsh Times
Last Friday I returned from a run to find The Frenchman shovelling snow. The end result is like an iced cake: smooth, precise and clean.
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Hypnosis is a serious business
The office is spacious, warm, comforting. An oh-so-welcoming leather sofa and recliner are along the far wall under a soft pool of light. One wall
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Didee & Didoo: WILLOW MAN
WILLOW MAN IS HIS NAME AN’ HIS ARROW HE LIKES TO AIM. HE’S AS STRONG AS A BEAR AN’ HE HUNTS WITH A SPEAR. WILLOW
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Feeding the Hungry is a Vital Community Service
The Dawson Food Bank and the Dawson Women’s Shelter are busy organizing their annual Holiday Hamper Program and Food Drive. It’s designed to assist individuals
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Didee & Didoo: THOSE MY AUNTIE
I CALL THOSE MY AUNTIE HE AN’ HE CALL THOSE UNCLE SHE. THOSE AUNTIE HE’S NOT THAT NEW AND SNUFF HE ALWAYS CHEW. I THINK
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Brightening Up Even the Darkest Nights
I’m happy to record that, except for the arrival of the Sears Wish Book at North 60 Petro Express, everything else related to Christmas here
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West Dawson Time
I’m not sure where the second week of freeze up has gone. After the protracted nature of my preparations, the flurry of activity upon arrival,
Berry Picking in Old Crow
In the past two years the herd of Porcupine Caribou in Old Crow herd has gradually changed its natural migration route.
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A natural way to look good (and feel good)
Standing in the hallway of the Horwood’s Mall, looking into Climate Clothing, you don’t immediately see the First Nation influence in the neat rows of
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Didee & Didoo: HELICOPTER CRASH
THEY WENT FOR A SHORT RIDE BUT LUCKILY NO ONE DIED. IN THE WATER THEY MADE A SPLASH WHEN THE HELICOPTER MADE A CRASH. THE
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Good Music for Good Causes
November 7 turned out to be an incredibly busy evening for anyone involved in community events in Dawson. There was the closing banquet for the
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Jewels on the Water
The ice is coming down in a rush this year. While there was not a sign of the stuff in the river on the day
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Sometimes Your Mind Kicks Up Things You Don’t Want to Believe
It took a king, a pope and a former prime minister to make me rethink my scepticism about extrasensory perception. Let me set the scene.
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Freeze Up: A First Timer’s Experience on the Other Side of the River
I jumped at the prospect of adventure and isolation in the little off-grid community while it waits for the Yukon River to freeze
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Getting into the Game
Audrey McLaughlin moved to the Yukon in the 1970’s with “no man, no job” because she thought it would be an interesting place to live.
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Invitation for an Authentic Experience
“The time is right for cultural experiences,” says president of First Nations Culture & Tourism, hosting the Sharing Our Stories conference.
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Didee & Didoo: I CAN’T KEEP STILL
I CAN STILL SNOWSHOE. I CAN STILL RUN. I CAN STILL BIKE. I CAN STILL CANOE. I CAN STILL MUSH DOGS. I CAN STILL SKI.
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Marching in remembrance of things past
Mark Zuehlke was a writer-in-residence at Berton House in 2003. At the time he had just finished several books on the history of the Canadian
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Harvesting Porcupine Caribou Near Old Crow
In the past two years the herd of Porcupine Caribou in Old Crow herd has gradually changed its natural migration route.
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My Story as a Special Olympics Athlete
Mallory Ellen Pigage has been a Special Olympics Yukon athlete for 16 years. “Is a time for me to socialize and do sports at the same time.”
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Didee & Didoo: DIDOO AN’ POOR DIDEE
THEIR BACKS ARE BENT AN’ THEY STAY IN A TENT. THEY DON’T READ OR WRITE AN’ THEY USE CANDLE AT NIGHT. DIDOO WEAR LONG SKIRT
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Winter: We Shutter to Feel it Coming
At a recent municipal candidates’ forum it was suggested that one of the solutions to Dawson’s perennial winter housing problem would be to arrange to
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Chance of a Ghost
Claude Turcotte was the father of my two younger kids, Josh and Sophie Turcotte, also Dad to then-toddlers Geordie MacInnis and Lee Robitaille. He was
An Old Crow Halloween
I looked out our window in Old Crow Halloween Day, 2014. It was -10ºC outside. Trees were shaking as the wind howled making it much colder.
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Alaska Haunting
Wherever your travels take you, there is bound to be a place that has a ghost living in the shadows. England has the ghastly Tower
Didee & Didoo: I’M RUNNING FOR PRIME MINISTER
BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO SNOWSHOE. BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO CANOE. BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO HUNT. BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO FISH. BECAUSE
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What to Do in Dawson in the Winter
Those who think that the Klondike is just a sleepy little place in winter between the tourists and the Yukon Quest would be mistaken.
What to Do in Dawson in the Winter Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Strong Poem
THEY’RE HAVING A STRONG MEETING. LIBERAL IS STRONG GOVERNMENT. AMERICAN SIDE MAKE STRONG LAW. SANTA CLAUS GIVE ME STRONG PRESENT. OLD CHIEF GOT STRONG NAME.
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Bringing Variety to the Rural School Experience
Students in rural schools can miss out on a number of things in terms of course offerings and opportunities. There are specialty programs in the
Bringing Variety to the Rural School Experience Read More »
Hunting or not, wild animals are my teachers
Why have I never written about hunting before? Maybe it’s because writing about an experience makes it more real. In the face of hunting, that
Hunting or not, wild animals are my teachers Read More »
Telling stories
Sharon Shorty and I first met back in 2005 when I worked at the Yukon College Library with her awesome husband, Derek Yap. Sharon was
Mrs. Gideon’s Ghost
They didn’t know the Caribou Hotel in Carcross was haunted when they bought it. “We’re pretty aware of it now, though,”
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Didee & Didoo: I Wish I Had Wings
I don’t have paws. I don’t have a tail. I don’t have horns. I don’t have hoofs. I don’t have feathers. I don’t have fins.
Didee & Didoo: I Wish I Had Wings Read More »
Trying to keep the Sun Shining
I promised to tell a little bit of the story of the Klondike Sun’s near death experience if the editors here said it was okay.
Trying to keep the Sun Shining Read More »
Better Together
The Potluck Community Co-op is ready for its next step. For the past year and a half the Potluck, focused on ‘good food’ beginning with
Two Exciting Yukon Lives
“I was ready to live here permanently the day I got here – the land just drew (me) in,” says Velma Hull. The day she
Two Exciting Yukon Lives Read More »
Extraneous Bananas
When your friend blows into town, you hang onto your hat and lay on the groceries, especially the Stolichnaya Vodka, or “Stoli”, as he calls
Extraneous Bananas Read More »
Thanks Dr. Jim
It’s been a month and a half since the Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner Jim Zheng passed away. Those who he helped will remember him fondly,
Didee & Didoo: POWER OUTAGE
YOU CAN STILL USE YOUR WHEELBARROW. YOU CAN STILL USE YOUR AXE. YOU CAN STILL USE YOUR HANDSAW. YOU CAN STILL SEE WITH YOUR CANDLE.
Didee & Didoo: POWER OUTAGE Read More »
My Favourite Word is Grandma
On December 1, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. my life changed forever. I was introduced to Darwin Orion Murray. At about 10 p.m. the evening before
My Favourite Word is Grandma Read More »
Lists, Colour Coding and Labels
People new to outdoor activity such as hunting, hiking and camping are likely a bit more organized on the second or third trip than they
Lists, Colour Coding and Labels Read More »
Building Intuition
“I don’t really believe in that stuff,” a coworker says, when I ask if he’s ever had his tarot read. A year ago I might
Building Intuition Read More »
Tastes of Home
Conquering exotic culinary worlds is exhilarating, but the dispiriting lack of some foods can make home feel very far away, indeed. For some people, a
Homegrown Business
Proud Yukoners want to shop Yukon – but sometimes it feels hard to do that. With so many of our goods and services being provided by
Homegrown Business Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Good Samaritan
GOOD SAMARITANS ALWAYS CARE AND THEY ALWAYS LIKE TO SHARE. THEY WORK FOR GOD ABOVE GIVING IS HOW THEY SHOW THEIR LOVE. THEY’LL GIVE YOU
Didee & Didoo: Good Samaritan Read More »
Another Christmas without my family
Living far away from your family means that sometimes your strength and persistence will be tested. It’s Christmas 2014 and I am in Montreal. A
Another Christmas without my family Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Thinking
I ALWAYS SIT AND THINK AND I WRITE IT IN INK. I ALWAYS THINK LOTS AN’ I WRITE DOWN MY THOTS. MY IDEAS GET BIGGER
Didee & Didoo: Thinking Read More »
Bringing New Life into Old Buildings
I have written a number of columns about Dawson’s habit of recycling building for other purposes. The Old Territorial Courthouse, which has to be passed
Bringing New Life into Old Buildings Read More »
Missing the Mark
The Code is clear: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Ditto for jury rooms and papal conclaves. Double ditto for hunting trips. But sometimes
Yukon vegetarian
I am not a hunter. Not everyone has to be. I’m spending time with a man who is respectful, thankful, spiritual about the process.
Didee & Didoo: I NEVER HAD A DIDEE
BUT I KNOW HOW TO TRAP BUT I KNOW HOW TO HUNT BUT I KNOW HOW TO FISH BUT I KNOW HOW TO PADDLE BUT
Didee & Didoo: I NEVER HAD A DIDEE Read More »
Exploring Atlin and the nearby volcanic field
Atlin Mountain might have lost some of its white stripes, but Atlin itself is still as much fun as ever – all inhabitants 100 percent
Exploring Atlin and the nearby volcanic field Read More »
Chainsaw-chip Fire Starter
We get pretty good at fire-starting if we light enough fires, but there are some ways to make it even easier. Solid-fuel fire-starters work well
Chainsaw-chip Fire Starter Read More »
History is being re-written
Over the last few months, I have been sharing how I became involved in this queen title and what I have been doing. And while
History is being re-written Read More »
Didee & Didoo: My Gym
’When I mention my gym, it doesn’t have a basketball rim. My gym is the great outdoors, I share it with animals on all fours.
Didee & Didoo: My Gym Read More »
Revisiting the Klondike Big Inch
Each year during the Riverside Arts Festival, the ODD Gallery sponsors a paired set of exhibitions called The Natural and the Manufactured, each dealing with
Revisiting the Klondike Big Inch Read More »
Apocalypse When?
Call me a skeptic, a cynic, I don’t care. Heck, go the distance and call me a heretic, if you wish. Truth is, I don’t
Reminders of Time Past
A few years ago, my brother found an ancient tool that had migrated upward through the soil in the middle of his wheat field in
Reminders of Time Past Read More »
Cave In
Sid van der Meer’s stories as dictated to his granddaughter Teresa. The tree leaves are rapidly changing and the temperature is beginning to drop. Autumn
It’s Been a Slice
If you’ve walked past Bocelli’s Pizzeria lately, you may have seen a small sign in the window advertising its farewell. The local makers of saucy,
Mine, All Mine!
The next time you travel north on the Alaska Highway between the Fish Lake Road and the Porter Creek Super A, ask yourself why the
Water under Moss
My favourite childhood memories are when Mom would take us to Fish Lake, just a few miles out of Whitehorse. We spent our summers there
Dem Bones
Pike are notorious for being boney. As a child, I developed an intense fear of choking on fish bones. Not from any horrendous experience, but
From East to North
“Never heard of it!” That was my first thought when my aunt said Yukon Territory. Other than knowing it was part of Canada and that
From East to North Read More »
The Survivor Tree
Germany: a land of farms and old cities, and the destination of my travels every two years. It is a land with a past. Most
Didee & Didoo: Mrs. Wrong
I ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND MRS. WRONG AND OUR LOVE DON’T LAST TOO LONG. THEY ALWAYS GIVE ME A SHOVE AND I CAN’T FIND TRUE
Didee & Didoo: Mrs. Wrong Read More »
The Paradise Beat
“Welcome to paradise,” Kevin Jack says. Thus begins my tour of a property that edges onto the swampy back of Marsh Lake. An old gold
A word or two about memory, memoirs and waterfowl
The kaleidoscope of memory is a wondrous thing. A quarter twist, and tiny fragments tumble themselves into a startling pattern of perception. Another twist, another
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Sharing the Past
Out on the old Alaska Highway, halfway to Haines Junction and only a few kilometres from Champagne, an observant traveller may spot Kwaday Dan Kenji,
A Star in LA
It’s the last Thursday evening in July, and Elyn Jones is sitting beside the parking lot of Universal Studios giving an interview on her cell
A Northern Diary
Carolyn Vincent taught in the Yukon in the 1970s and also cooked for an outfitter for a few months in 1976. She typed out a
E.T. Call P.C.
During my daily walks with the dogs in the woods between Porter Creek and the college, I can’t help noticing long straight corridors cut through
Claire the Bartender
If you’ve ever been to Lizards Lounge in the Town and Mountain Hotel on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ve seen Claire Mechan. She’s been
Claire the Bartender Read More »
Didee & Didoo: WALKS
When I Go For My Walks I Wear Out My Socks. I Wear Out My Soles And My Shoes Has Holes. I Always Walk With
Didee & Didoo: WALKS Read More »
A new park says Thanks to Klondike volunteers
Dawson City has a new park. Located between the Dawson Plaza (where the CIBC is) and the Husky Bus HQ (the former Hair We Are
A new park says Thanks to Klondike volunteers Read More »
An old wooden mantelpiece helps tell the story of the Northwest Staging Route
The airport in Beaver Creek, Yukon is small and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance you will miss it.
An old wooden mantelpiece helps tell the story of the Northwest Staging Route Read More »
Wild Cards
The 4th Dawson Daily News Print & Publishing Symposium, part of the annual Yukon Riverside Arts Festival, is taking a walk on the wild side.
Harmonica George,Blowin’ strong
After playing harmonica for more than 40 years, Harmonica George McConkey finally feels he is getting to the venerated status “old blues guy”.
Harmonica George,Blowin’ strong Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Left-Handed
DO THEY HAVE LEFT-HANDED CUPS? DO THEY HAVE LEFT-HANDED HATS? DO THEY HAVE LEFT-HANDED PENCILS? DO THEY HAVE LEFT-HANDED PADDLES? DO THEY HAVE LEFT-HANDED AXES?
Didee & Didoo: Left-Handed Read More »
When local voices made a difference
In 1976 I was a young teacher just starting out in Beaver Creek, fresh from Nova Scotia and learning about the North. Regular stories about
When local voices made a difference Read More »
No Exit
It’s mid-winter when I finalize the tentative plans I’ve carried with me since leaving Ontario to drive to the Yukon a year ago. This summer
Saturday at the Front Street Markets
Front Street is lined with vehicles and shoppers from late morning to midafternoon each Saturday during the summer, even on days when there’s a smoky
Saturday at the Front Street Markets Read More »
Didee & Didoo: SMARTEST ANIMAL
DOGS KNOW WHEN YOU’RE HURT AN’ THEY KNOW HOW TO COMFORT. DOGGIES ARE SO SMART AN’ THEY’LL HEAL YOUR HEART. THEY CAN READ YOUR MIND
Didee & Didoo: SMARTEST ANIMAL Read More »
Pop-up Fashion
Jessica Vallenga has an eye for quality-made clothes; she is an artist trained in textiles, and she makes clothes. She turns embroidery into pendants and
General Store
Sid van der Meer’s Bordertown Garage & Museum is composed up of numerous themed rooms. One room is themed as an old general store and
Rambling North for the Dawson City Music Festival
The Slocan Ramblers often get asked how it happens that four lads who live in Toronto came to be interested in bluegrass music. Bass player
Rambling North for the Dawson City Music Festival Read More »
Rolling out that raggedy old chair
There’s a reason people like me should never play the stock market. Some time ago, when I heard that a new arts and entertainment magazine
Rolling out that raggedy old chair Read More »
Moving Day on Eighth Avenue
“Someone should make a list of all the houses that have been moved around in Dawson, showing where they used to be and where they
Moving Day on Eighth Avenue Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Depression
HARD TIMES ARE COMING AND THERE WILL BE BUMMING. TIMES WILL BE TOUGH AND THERE WON’T BE ENOUGH. ON THE LAND WE HAVE TO SURVIVE
Didee & Didoo: Depression Read More »
Flummoxed Felines and Forrest Gump
My favourite line from Forrest Gump comes near the end. Gump’s beloved Jenny has died and he stands over her grave: “Mama always said that
Flummoxed Felines and Forrest Gump Read More »
Two Tones
Today, Sid sits outside the Beaver Creek Visitor Information Centre basking in the warm summer sun. As he waits for visitors to arrive, he admires
Didee & Didoo: HARD LUCK STORIES
I’VE HEARD THEM ALL SOME ARE PRETTY TALL. SOME ARE AS TALL AS A GIRAFFE AND THEY’LL MAKE YOU LAUGH. THEIR STORIES ARE SO FUNNY
Didee & Didoo: HARD LUCK STORIES Read More »
You are a Winner
One of the many remarks I got when I was selling queen raffle tickets during Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous (YSR) events was, “I have never won
Carcross: Hiking, biking and … Kiteboarding
Carcross has always been known for hiking. Lately, with Montana Mountain right next door, it has become a favoured destination for biking, too. Now, word
Carcross: Hiking, biking and … Kiteboarding Read More »
Twice A Day the Whistle Blows
It’s 5:00 and I’m sitting at the table in my summer office which, whenever possible, is our veranda. Seven blocks west and about two north
Twice A Day the Whistle Blows Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Surviving Spring
WHEN I SEE A SWAN I KNOW WINTER IS GONE. WHEN I SEE A BEAR I KNOW SPING IS HERE. THERE IS NO MORE SNOW
Didee & Didoo: Surviving Spring Read More »
The Fire Siren is Good News
On any Wednesday evening, at any time during the year, most residents in the core historic zone of Dawson City can hear the sound of
The Fire Siren is Good News Read More »
Faro Calling
I call Faro the Pleasantville of the Yukon. Unusual thermals (cranes swirl miles above town) & rock formations to make geologists drool.
Taking Pride
Stephanie Hammond won’t be dancing on the truck leading the annual Pride parade in downtown Whitehorse this weekend, as she has in previous years. Instead,
The Mayo Marathon is our British Empire
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Mayo Midnight Marathon, hosted by the town’s Fly-by-Night Running Club. And potentially, it’s the end of the
The Mayo Marathon is our British Empire Read More »
When your Fingers Stumble Through the Pages
On the whole, there are two positive things about this year’s edition of NorthwesTel’s Northern British Columbia and Yukon Directory. The first is that the
When your Fingers Stumble Through the Pages Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Peter Norberg
THEY DIDN’T EXPECT HIM TO WIN FIRST PRIZE BUT THEY WERE IN FOR A SURPRISE. HE CAME FOR THE BIG DOG RACE HE WASN’T EXPECTED
Didee & Didoo: Peter Norberg Read More »
A Place to Rest Your Laptop
In some dream world, working from home is easy. Get up early in the morning, park on the sofa, sip cup of coffee after cup
A Place to Rest Your Laptop Read More »
Drumming Festival will ‘wake up the land’
“You feel it to your core; it is a heartbeat; so uplifting; it just goes right through me.” Steve Smith, the chief of the Champagne
Drumming Festival will ‘wake up the land’ Read More »
The Ultimate Guide to Yukon Sport
John Firth’s massive Yukon Sport: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, published in November 2014 by Sport Yukon, is a heavy book.
The Ultimate Guide to Yukon Sport Read More »
Henry Ford’s Lady
Parked in front of Sid’s museum in Beaver Creek, Yukon sits a 1928 Ford Model A. “I bought it at a swap meet in Lethbridge
Didee & Didoo: Caribou Days
WINTER IS FINALLY GONE IT’S GREAT TO SEE A SWAN. IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN WE’LL SEE A BEAR. IT’S NICE TO SEE
Didee & Didoo: Caribou Days Read More »
When the Darkness Bleeds Daylight
June 17 – 21 2015: Dawson City Midnight Sun Camera Obscura Festival. This is the follow up to last year’s Dawson City Solstice Symposium
When the Darkness Bleeds Daylight Read More »
Mitigating Factors
Describe Adam Greetham as you wish: tinkerer, scientist, adaptor, businessman. “A bit of all of them,” he admits. “I can’t really deny any one of
Mitigating Factors Read More »
First Nations share through fashion
Producer of Adäka Fashion Show’s goal is to see the Yukon’s traditional fashions, dance regalia, & bush garments fully represented.
First Nations share through fashion Read More »
Ancestral Ways
Juanita has captured Best In Class honours at Santa Fe. She made her first visit to the Yukon, as part of the annual Adäka Cultural Festival
Freddie Osson
If you haven’t met Saxophone Freddie up in Dawson City, you should. He is, after all, the first face you see when you fly into
Didee & Didoo: QUIET PEOPLE
SOME PEOPLE ARE QUIET AN’ THEY WON’T CAUSE A RIOT. THEY JUST LIKE TO BE ALONE AN’ THEY DON’T LIKE A PHONE. QUIET PEOPLE ARE
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Explaining Travel Realities to People Outside
In just a few days we’ll be loading our little Toyota Yaris onto a freight truck and shipping it to Whitehorse to have a new
Explaining Travel Realities to People Outside Read More »
RVing in the YT
Earlier this year, at the Toronto Interior Design show, the Cubitat was introduced. This lifestyle cube is 10’ x 10’ and features a bed, bathroom,
Bus, stop!
They come for a pee, a snack, and a knick-knack. After spending 45 minutes in the first Canadian community that many will ever experience, cruise
Yukon Birdathon
There are 284 bird species recorded in Yukon. This weekend is your chance to count as many as you can. The Yukon Birdathon is designed
Didee & Didoo: I LOVE WHERE I WORK
I WORK AT THE OLD CROW AIRPORT AND I GIVE A WEATHER REPORT. I LOVE WHERE I WORK AN’ I TALK TO THE PILOT OF
Didee & Didoo: I LOVE WHERE I WORK Read More »
Off to Skagway to Explore Language
By the time you read this I’ll be “Exploring the Frontiers of Language” in Skagway, attending this year’s edition of the North Words Writers Symposium.
Off to Skagway to Explore Language Read More »
A Northern Diary
About 11:00 p.m. I finally got a glimpse of McClure when our trail passed near the deep ravine the river made. I had been vainly
Biking Whitehorse to Haines Junction
Welcome to the first of four articles on beginner bike touring around the Yukon. I’ll share a rundown of trips and some tips, as well
Biking Whitehorse to Haines Junction Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Forgot the Grub
WE WENT IN THE BUSH TO FIRE FIGHT BUT THERE WAS NO FOOD TO BITE. BUNCH OF US WERE ON A FIRE CREW BUT WE
Didee & Didoo: Forgot the Grub Read More »
The Break-Up Comedy Festival
Breaking up is no laughing matter. But the Break-Up Comedy Festival, taking place in Dawson City on May 16, definitely is. The idea for the
The Break-Up Comedy Festival Read More »
Exploring the Bittersweet Beauty of the Juneau Ice Cave
The Zhange Danxia landform in Gansu, China; The Great Blue Hole in Belize; Tulip Fields in the Netherlands; Mount Roraima in Venezuela, Brazil, and Guana,
Exploring the Bittersweet Beauty of the Juneau Ice Cave Read More »
The Game Is On
Spring is here and summer is coming. Everybody has put away talk of events that happened in the cold winter months. The 2016 Yukon Sourdough
Facebook Posse Finds Stolen Trailer
Klondikers pride ourselves on not needing to lock our doors every time we leave our houses. But sometimes we should, as events this week proved.
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Didee & Didoo: When I was a Kid
ALL THE LADIES WORE HANKERCHIEFS. EVERYONE HAD HIGH CACHES. ALL THE ELDERS SMOKED PIPES. EVERYONE USED DOGTEAMS. WE MADE OUR OWN TOYS. EVERYONE HAD BIBLE
Didee & Didoo: When I was a Kid Read More »
How To Love The Yukon Without Ditching Your First Love
Yukoners know the following conversational elements all too well: “So, what brought you to the Yukon?” “Oh, I came up here for work/to visit friends/as a tourist a few years ago and never ended up leaving.” The frequent follow up question is…
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Ironing it Out
No matter how often you visit Sid van der Meer’s Bordertown Garage and Museum in Beaver Creek, there is always more to see. Many people
Dawson’s Community Dance
Tiss Clark, a local artist and music teacher, is the organizer of the Community Jigging Square Dance Project in Dawson City. She decided to start
Dawson’s Community Dance Read More »
World Heritage Planning Gets a Big Boost
The Yukon Government (YG) finally decided to sign on in a substantive way to the push for UNESCO World Heritage Status for the site designated
World Heritage Planning Gets a Big Boost Read More »
Radio Rob
I’m almost at the Tagish Bridge when 106.7 CFET kicks in and the truck is flooded with Estonian pop music. I’m on my way to
Serving dinner by the truckload
There is the story of an ice cream shack in Carcross that had no ice cream for the weekend. So, an employee of G-P Distributing
Serving dinner by the truckload Read More »
The Newest Coffee and Beer Headquarters
Micah Quinn likes a challenge — whether it’s hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada (4265 kilometres) alone, or re-imagining a local Whitehorse
The Newest Coffee and Beer Headquarters Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Trading Post
YOU Moses can buy a gaslamp an’ everything for his camp. Neil can buy muskrat traps and old time caps. Eliza can buy pots an’
Didee & Didoo: Trading Post Read More »
Dawson Moves Into Puddletime
Dawson has entered that phase of spring I call Puddletime. City workers have been trying to keep up by opening storm drains. The rapidly accumulating
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Cranes Fly High Up in the Sky
The thermals above the town of Faro may account for the “tens of thousands” of sand hill cranes that fly above it each spring. Or
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Muskrat Trapping
The sun is back and the days are warmer, except in the late evenings. People of Old Crow used to be excited about going to Crow
Colour and a Straight Edge
Whitehorse is a town of natural beauty and diverse niches, and quite the opposite of global hub, New York City. Not everyone is caught up
Colour and a Straight Edge Read More »
The Ice Bridge Decay is a Sure Sign of Spring
In the April 8 edition of the Klondike Sun I put a little note inside the Sun graphic, in the banner. We always do this,
The Ice Bridge Decay is a Sure Sign of Spring Read More »
Didee & Didoo: The Never Drank
Neil McDonald (Interpreter). Eliza Ben Kassi (Sharing). Rev. Joe Kay (God). Myra Kay (Sharing). Peter Charlie (Discipline). Mary Charlie (Discipline). Charlie P. Charlie (Music). Ellen
Didee & Didoo: The Never Drank Read More »
Connecting to the past, to guide the future
On March 8, 2015, a team of 18 Northern Tutchone elders and heritage staff from the Nacho Nyak Dun, Selkirk, and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nations
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Diner Lights
Sid van der Meer recently travelled from the gold rush fields of Arizona back to Canada’s most westerly community — Beaver Creek, Yukon. Sid has
Didee & Didoo: When I Was With Didoo
When I was with didoo she made me happy. When I was with didoo she made me wise. When I was with didoo she made
Didee & Didoo: When I Was With Didoo Read More »
Gerties is now a Municipal Heritage Site
Diamond Tooth Gerties is an iconic Dawson building. It’s the cash cow that finances most of the operations of the Klondike Visitors Association. As of
Gerties is now a Municipal Heritage Site Read More »
You’re Still Gonna Die
Even if you’re famous. Even if you’re rich. Even if you’re healthy. Even if you’re educated. Even if you’re strong. Even if you’re lucky. Even
You’re Still Gonna Die Read More »
Cooking and Eating Ling Cod
Ling cod, or burbot, is very common in the Yukon’s southern lakes, and is quite easy to catch by jigging, bottom fishing, or using set-lines
Cooking and Eating Ling Cod Read More »
Cheese and Kids
In February I had the privilege of running a workshop on cheese-making for the Learning Lions, a homeschooling group that meets out at the Mt.
A Northern Diary
I have been in the wilderness of the Mackenzie Mountains for six weeks, and have decided to begin a diary. It’s maybe not the right
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Vuntut Gwinchins”
Gwichin lived a nomadic life using stone axe an’ bone knife. They lived in caribou skin tents an’ Gwichins made caribou fence. In winter they
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Vuntut Gwinchins” Read More »
Formerly Tools, Now Artifacts on Display
The Kwanlin Dün First Nation recorded elders’ stories in 1993. This turned into about seven boxes of transcripts, which sat in an office. Elders gathered
Formerly Tools, Now Artifacts on Display Read More »
My Yukon Bison Hunt
There’s something special about waking up in a cabin with a bunch of peers who all want the same thing: to catch a bison. It
My Yukon Bison Hunt Read More »
If it’s Tuesday, it must be … Thailand?
From the modern glass and metal outer door, to the wooden old-timey inner door, The Wheelhouse Restaurant’s guests are instantly transported back to the Whitehorse
If it’s Tuesday, it must be … Thailand? Read More »
The Friendly Photographer
When one walks into Horwoods Mall from the Front Street entrance in downtown Whilehorse it’s hard to miss him. There, in one of the building’s
The Friendly Photographer Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Poem “I Almost Kicked the Pail”
I think I looked pale an’ I almost kicked the pail. I was feeling worse so I went to see the nurse. She hooked me
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A Trumpeter’s Perspective
Hiya, my name is Ed, and I am a proud trumpeter swan. I’m eight-years-old and grew up in the Red Rock Lakes area of Montana,
A Trumpeter’s Perspective Read More »
Strippers Who Live In Cabins
When I first meet Tina, during this year’s Rendezvous, she introduces herself as Misha. After waiting for one Jarvis Street Saloon manager to talk to
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Doesn’t Make Sense”
My tickle is broken! Draw your name! Look at the fish tracks! Are you going to Whitehorse yesterday? Push on the rope! My ski doo
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Doesn’t Make Sense” Read More »
Dragon in the New Year, Chinese Style
Dawson City has a fondness for parades. Canada Day and Discovery Day are the annual events with the longest history, but there have been Pride
Dragon in the New Year, Chinese Style Read More »
Remembering Sandi Gleason
A friend of Jeanie Dendys’s 15-year-old son told Dendys he gets more excited for the native hockey tournament than he does for the Canada Games.
Remembering Sandi Gleason Read More »
Homage to a Yukon Birder
Yukon birds, and its birding community, have lost a true friend. When he died last month, at 75, Helmut Grünberg had spent over 40 years
Homage to a Yukon Birder Read More »
Rock this wall
I like blank, plain walls in the kitchen. Uncluttered and simple. If the paint is the same colour as every other wall in the house,
Didee & Didoo: Poem “Test”
They’ll hand you a paper An’ a pencil with a taper. If you mark the wrong place You’re allowed to erase. If you really think
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The Man Who Knows Tesla Trumps Edison
As a shout out to Gary Bob Joe Bremner’s love of specialty cocktails, I conducted our interview at Whitehorse’s newest, not-yet-open, cocktail-andwine bar, Woodcutter’s Blanket,
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Behind the scenes Of Canada’s bilingual heritage
In mid-January, I was given the opportunity to coordinate Je parle français And I Love in English, 2015, a theatrical performance written by and for
Behind the scenes Of Canada’s bilingual heritage Read More »
Didee & Didoo: Poem “Flu Season”
WHEN YOU START TO COUGH YOU’LL TAKE THE DAY OFF. YOU WILL FEEL SORE AN’ YOU WILL LOOK POOR. YOU’LL HAVE A SORE CHEST AN’
Didee & Didoo: Poem “Flu Season” Read More »
The Yukon Transportation Museum is 25
A quarter century is a long time; however, 25 years ago the building the Yukon Transportation Museum (YTM) calls home was already old. The structure
The Yukon Transportation Museum is 25 Read More »
Getting Around in Dawson
I recently listened to a court debate concerning the streets connected to 2nd Avenue in the north end of town, and which turn you would
Getting Around in Dawson Read More »
Artists Disguised as Carpenters
Ogilvie General Contracting is a small company; Graydon Keenan is it. And he and his long time friend Jona Barr took his first big project
Artists Disguised as Carpenters Read More »
Bailey’s
It may not be a bar where everybody knows your name, but they sure as heck have seen you shoveling your driveway. It’s a neighbourhood
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Cannibals”
They don’t care how we feel cannibals just want a free meal. They like our delicious flesh an’ cannibals like us fresh. They don’t care
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Court Comes to the OTAB
The Yukon Supreme Court returned to the Old Territorial Administration Building (OTAB in local slang) late in January. It will continue to occupy space there
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Enzo and his Masterpiece
Enzo Ferrari emerged from World War II with a bold plan to design and build automobiles under his own name. At first, he favoured the
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Yukon Wildlife Preserve
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve has been helping injured, orphaned, and sick animals for over ten years. Located 25 minutes from downtown Whitehorse on the Hot
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “I Have to Push On”
Even if I’m sore I’ll still push on. When I feel poor I always push on. When I’m lonely I just push on. If I
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Quilting Hotbed
To descend the stairs into Bear’s Paw Quilts is to descend into colour. Quilts and colourful fabric samples line the walls. This is more than a
Didee & Didoo: No Store
We don’t have a store so we’re really poor. We can’t even shop ‘cause they came to a stop. We could even die because we can’t
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St. Paul’s Tries To Get Warmer
November and most of December were mild in the Klondike this winter. Wondrously, it only took two-and-a-half days to warm up St. Paul’s Anglican Church enough
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The paperless office
It’s not really a truck with a paper shredder in the back; it’s more like a shredder-onwheels. And when you see the shredder-on-wheels parked outside
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From handler to racer
After almost a decade of being a Yukon Quest handler, partner, sponsor, and anything else required, Tamra Reynolds is embarking on her very own Yukon
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The Many Faces of Claire Ness
I’m in the ‘98 drinking water (sober January) and waiting for Claire Ness to arrive. “London Calling” by The Clash is playing, which, for some
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Love Triangle”
She still love me but then there’s three. She has a pair she likes to share. She can choose an’ one will lose. She’s not
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Here Comes the Sun
At the request of some Facebook friends I spent about a week in late December taking a series of pictures showing the retreating daylight hours.
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Finding our Faces
Melissa Carlick learned about residential schools in a class, First Nations 100, during her first year at UNBC in Prince George. Afterward she asked her
Didee & Didoo – Poem “I Have Everything”
I Have Everything The northern lights are my TV. An eagle is my kite. Calm water is my mirror. The North Star is my compass.
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Remembering Al Baer
This fall I attended the Yukon Biodiversity Forum, a yearly round-up of biology goings-on in the territory. I reunited with old friends and met new ones,
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Music for the community
I’ve been the opening act at the last two monthly coffee houses. We meet on the first Saturday of every month in the Odd Fellows
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Didee & Didoo: Poem: “Nomadic Life”
Didee & Didoo: Nomadic Life They followed the caribou herds an’ they hunted migratory birds. Gwichins moved all over the place or hunger they would
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “I think about Didoo”
I think about Didoo When I’m hungry I think about Didoo. When I’m alone I think about Didoo. When I’m broke I think about Didoo.
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Peterson & Sons from Mile 0 TO 918, Alaska Highway
I have been on an ad hoc personal journey to find my father’s heritage for several years. He passed away when I was only about
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Ice Fishing Equipment
Ice fishing is a cold weather activity and your hands are involved in every operation, including cutting holes, setting up equipment, and hopefully handling fish.
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How The Double Bob Bash Came To Be
Despite claims of memoirists galore, who say they walked the Chilkoot Pass with Robert Service, the man now known as the bard of the Yukon
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Behind the Man Who’s Behind the Camera
It’s Christmas Eve and Vince Fedoroff and I are drinking happy hour beers at the Gold Rush. The place is packed. We chat for a
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Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival returns to the Junction
The summer of 2015 will see the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival, which went on temporary hiatus last year, returning to Haines Junction.
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Ice Fishing, Part 1 of 2
In southern Canada’s ice-fishing season, lakes have been traditionally dotted with wooden ice huts or shanties. These are frozen in places with propane or home-built
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Yukon Natural History
Until recently, collections of Yukon natural history have been given homes in other parts of the country. Our own territory has had no formal collection
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When the cat came back
Clancy the Cat didn’t show a lot of interest when I dropped in to the Humane Society Dawson (HSD) shelter to visit him a couple
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “So Much To Do”
SO MUCH TO DO Little old ladies are sweet an’ they have little feet. They pretend to be mad but they’re always glad. Their English
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Gunalchéesh for your Love and Support
Marilyn Jensen was inspired to start a dance group after finishing her master’s degree at the University of Victoria. She studied Indigenous governance, and said
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Love Letter to an Everyday Hero
I knew my mom, Kathy O’Donovan, was something special as far back as my memory allows.
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Happiness is a Warm Bird
It’s a season of traditions, and for thousands of Canadians this means taking part in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Called the “longest-running science project
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Turning Her Life Into Stories
As a former English teacher, long time library patron, book reviewer, informal Berton House liaison, and editor of The Klondike Sun, it often falls to
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Walks”
Walks When I go for my walks I wear out my socks. I wear out my soles and my shoes has holes. I always walk
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Yukon Date Night
My father has hunted for as long as I can remember. This year he retired after 38 years as a fire fighter, so my husband and
Felix and Astrid
I’ve been living in a cabin downtown this past week, near the Pioneer Cemetery. It’s a little one-room shack with hot water and electricity. Not
Remembering Alex Van Bibber
Some people should live forever; I felt immense loss as I heard about Alex Van Bibber’s passing on November 26, 2014, at the age of
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Fish on Porcupine River
Sitting at a fish hole in the dark on the Porcupine River, in the Yukon at Old Crow in the fall, is not unusual. Excitement
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Change is Always Challenging
I understand him getting nostalgic about the slides and equipment. He still has the cast after he broke his arm there in elementary school.
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Running’s His Medicine
Caribou Legs has a home now, in Whitehorse. He’s lived here for about three months. He runs everyday, and he works with youth. He’s currently
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “In Heaven”
In Heaven We will never die an’ we’ll never cry. We’ll never be sad an’ nobody gets mad. There is no grief an’ there is
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Mountain elephants and buffalo eyes
It was the Christmas season in 2005 in Whitehorse and my two great-grandsons, Dakota and his younger brother Garrison, were visiting us during their Vancouver
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Breaking Bread and Serving Tea
Most nights, I go somewhere in the hills behind Riverdale, buried in all my warm clothes, and there, standing still, I look at the sky
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The Art of Design
It is a busy Monday afternoon when Margriet and Al Aasman open their office for an interview. They are sitting in the meeting room where
A Tale of Two Boxes
I had to do my first major snow clearance of the season on Hallowe’en. It wasn’t bad — took about half an hour. The snow
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Playing With Words”
Playing With Words My honey likes honey. That fly can’t fly. An ant bit my aunt. my son likes the sun. Don’t swallow that swallow.
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Perspectives on the Whitehorse Extra Foods (aka Yellow Store) Renovation
I usually keep a cool head in chaos. This was not the case one fine Friday when I stopped by the Whitehorse Real Canadian Superstore
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A BYTE of Business
Amy O’Rourke’s business was financially successful from the outset — so successful, she folded it in less than a year. She will talk about her
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Listening to the Music
I’ve been listening to a lot of cassette tapes lately. You remember those things; they appeared between vinyl records (making a comeback) and CDs (fading
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Tea Time with Nicky
I arrived in Whiterhorse in the middle of the night after riding Greyhound buses across the country for five days. The last thing I wanted
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Didee & Didoo: Poem “Improvise”
You are wise if you improvise. You have knowledge not learned in college. You make plans using your hands. You use tools not following rules.
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Nebraska Turtle
Sid van der Meer has lived in Beaver Creek, Yukon since 1997. He’s made a comfortable home for himself, and a charming museum for friends
A Day in the Woods
The first snow is a long-anticipated event for me. It is not only eagerness, but also apprehension, that keeps me company on my tenterhooks. Either
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Western Command
Sid van der Meer is an antiquarian and a storyteller; he has many wild yarns to share with his family, friends, and visitors who come
A Moose at Last
It’s been the toughest year to get motivated for hunting season. I’ve spent about 80 days over the last three years hunting moose and we’ve
Good Things Come In Small Packages
With the new market’s worldly selection of food in Watson Lake , you might be apprehensive to buy something. The market looks very simple and
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Christmas Eve Preparations Before Halloween?
Our house got turned upside down last Saturday. All the furniture in the living room was shifted , and a big table for sorting costumes
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Uncle Don”
Uncle Don Uncle Don was born at Bluefish and he always hunt and fish. Uncle Don is my mom’s brother an’ Clara Frost is his
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Carli and Julie’s Yukon Adventure
On a cool Monday evening at the Old Crow Community Hall, up-and-coming country musicians Carli and Julie Kennedy played the last show of their first
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Rafting Down the Porcupine River
This year wood was cut in March. Joseph does janitorial work at Chief Zzheh Gittlit School; this year he had two weeks off. As a
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Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon College Join Forces
There is an exciting new project underway near Dawson City. On September 19, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) and
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It’s All About the Candy
Our little apartment in Old Crow is in full Halloween mode; my mom mailed up decorations, and our crib is sporting the spooky colours, orange
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Thin Ice”
Thin Ice When you are on thin ice you have to think twice. If you make one mistake you can fall in the lake. If
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Up Up, Down Down, Left Right, B A B A, Start
If you’re in your mid-thirties like I am, you may remember watching one of your parents playing Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo. Back the
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Greg Hakonson – One Man’s Dream Of The Arts As An Economic Engine For Dawson City
The way Greg Hakonson tells it, the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS) had its beginnings in a chance encounter with his across-the-street neighbor, artist John
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Busy Beaver”
Busy Beaver They work nonstop but they don’t chop. They don’t use a saw they use their jaw. A busy beaver doesn’t use a cleaver.
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Ferments
If our external environment is a reflection of what is happening within, I must be going through a deep transformation. My little cabin is filled
Where Have All The Colours Gone?
On the day I am writing this, Whitehorse and Haines Junction are inches deep in their first winter snow and Dawson, while chilly and damp,
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Gwichin Princess”
There’s a peaceful little town on the banks of the river where the wolf an’ caribou roan That’s where she calls her home. In summer
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Dancing’s his thing
struck his family, and Vig started drinking heavily to cope. Then he got a job with an oil company, and hightailed to Inuvik to work
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Boiling Water
Waking up to a layer of snow on the ground, Sid van der Meer ventures out to his museum. He is getting ready for winter
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Depression”
Depression Hard times are coming an’ there will be bumming. Times will be tough an’ there won’t be enough. On the land we have to
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Long Range Fad
Better scopes, have made it so every hunter can take one of these rifles and shoot an animal from 800-1000 metres. Or can they?
Fuelling Up
The beginning of September brings snow to Beaver Creek, home of Sid van der Meer’s Bordertown Garage & Museum. On a chilly September morning, van
Come and Get Your Culture Days
Want to learn how to paint with plasticine? Interested in meditating to satire in the outdoors? Curious to go on a mystery tour in Whitehorse
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Serendipity Happens?
The other day I let my daughter Emily watch Tim Burtons’ The Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time. She has developed a keen interest
Serendipity Happens? Read More »
Let’s Run It Up The Flagpole And See Whom Salutes
The facetious title of this article, which dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, is a metaphor for trying out an idea to see who
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The Glory Days of Outhouse Races Past
The Klondike Outhouse Race was inspired by chatter in a bar. “the barnstorming biffies charge through Dawson like a dose of castor oil.”
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The Joys of Reading in Beaver Creek
This year was Beaver Creek Library’s first year participating in the TD Summer Reading Club (SRC). The summer reading program is a joint initiative by TD
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Recycling Made Easy
In the beginning it was available only to the people of Riverdale. But now — two years later — the Yukon Blue Bin Recycling Society has
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Watson Lake Has a New Bowling Alley
Residents of Watson Lake can now throw strikes and spares in style. The bowling alley at the Morgan Chaddock Recreation Centre is now computerized, which
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Keeping Warm
This week, van der Meer tells the story of his collection of White Pass and stagecoach foot warmers. As the winter months are fast approaching,
Allan Benjamin and the origins of Didee & Didoo
Anyone who reads What’s up Yukon regularly will have come across the comic strip, Didee & Didoo. The comic was created by Old Crow resident,
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Andrea Simpson-Fowler has a Passion for Dance — and for Building Communities
There’s a moment near the end of the TEDx talk Andrea Simpson-Fowler gave in Whitehorse last year that explains in a nutshell what her life’s
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Things that Go Bang in the Night
We had fireworks just the other night. No one I’ve spoken with seems to know exactly who set them off down by the river. There
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Don’s Famous Peaches
Famous Peaches SUBHEAD: A breakfast fit for the fit by Don Graham I normally buy two cases of Canadian grown peaches to last me one
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Sheep Hunting Part 3
Many new gun cartridges have come to the market in the last few years. A number of them are in the 30-calibre-and-under range, and would
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My Son, Edward
My son Edward Kyikavichick is handicapped. Since birth, he lived in Whitehorse in a foster home for many years. This allowed us, his parents, to
Jay vs. the Terrible Twos
Living in Old Crow is not for everybody, but it does have its advantages. It’s a quiet town with good people where you can enjoy
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What is Nature?
‘Nature’, or ‘natural’, have become complicated words to define. They have become over-utilized, and given a multitude of meanings.Marketing campaigns bombard us with the word,
Not Content with Watching the River Flow
Some people are just not content to watch the river flow.They have to get in it and, as Ratty said to Mole in The Wind
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A Mothering Hen
When Kaska master carver Dennis Shorty talks about his art, the conversation is more likely to focus on his respect for the materials he uses than
Jana and Bruce McDonald
They each moved to Whitehorse to start fresh, but Bruce and Jana McDonald never thought that would include a second chance at love. Jana, a psychologist,
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Sheep Hunting: Part 1
A sheep hunt is a true test of intestinal fortitude. It is similar to an alpine hike, but with a heavier pack — due to meat-care
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Killing My First Fish
The day I kill my first fish I eat a tuna sandwich for lunch.I’m on a bush excursion, assisting a field biologist. On our lunch
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Chinook Salmon Earn their Name
Known as spring, king, or Tyee (which means chief), Chinook salmon have started arriving in Whitehorse after leaving the Bering Sea earlier this summer. Swimming
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Catching up with Harreson Tanner
Last October, What’s Up Yukon featured a story on Yukon sculptor Harreson Tanner. It spotlighted Tanner’s move to Ontario, only to find he and his
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An Odd Taste in Lawn Decorations
The Klondike is known for permafrost-distorted buildings. The twisted shapes of older structures inspired the artistic career of Jim Robb — as a young artist he
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Southern Salmon
You stand on the bridge, the rough wood warm underfoot. You lean over the green metal railing, staring into the river water. Sometimes a line
Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Trophies”
Sorry Folks No Poem This week
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Busy Weekend in Dawson City
“This weekend is an iconic celebration of what’s great in Dawson,” says Paul Robitaille. Discovery Days, the Riverside Arts Festival & more
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Reflections on Rural Yukon Education
Robert Service School (RSS) celebrated its 25th year in its present building last May. There were no special celebrations, and I suspect that not too
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Safety First. Always
When Whitehorse students go back to school on August 25, many of them will be meeting Peggy Hanifan for the first time. Many others will
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Tis the Season
The first few weeks of the 2014 hunting season have passed and some enthusiastic hunters were have already been on mountaintops looking for Dall sheep.
The Big Gwich’in Gathering
From July 21 to July 25, Old Crow had the distinction of hosting The Biennial Gwich’in Gathering (BGG), an event that began in 1988 in
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“Thinking About the Tomorrow”
It started with a death in the community, a suicide last November. Young people close to the deceased asked each other why it came to
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The Soul is Back in Dawson City
For those who like to boogey down, Miles from Motown, formerly the Soul Sunday Band, is back in Dawson to make it happen. Every Sunday
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Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Look to Uncover Heritage and Culture Through Photographs
Klukshu village, or Klukshu Łu Ghą is an important part of who Sheila Joe is. The heritage resources officer for the Champagne and Aishihik First
Dawson’s Public Gardens Are A Treat
Dawson has a long history of dressing up with flowers and plants. When Martha Louise Black was the chatelaine at the Commissioner’s Residence on Front
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Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Calls”
Sorry Folks No Poem This week
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The Collector in Tagish
His name is Douglas Roy Rogers Dupont the 3rd. That’s what he’s known as on the water around Tagish at least. It’s his two-way radio handle.
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For Patti Flather, Gwaandak is about building connections by sharing our stories
When Patti Flather left Vancouver for the Yukon, she had no thoughts of becoming a playwright, let alone co-founder and artistic director of a busy
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Along the Boardwalks in Dawson City
Ask tourists what they like about Dawson City and you get a variety of responses. They like the old buildings and the sense of history
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Morel Hunting
A year after the forest fire, anarchy blooms in the Little Salmon/Carmacks bush. Free-growing morel mushrooms attract transient seasonal workers from all over the world;
Tracking down grandmother by land and water
Nadia White, great-granddaughter of Elmer (Stroller) and Alice Josephine (Josie) Keys White is on a quest to find out all she can about the life
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Making Croquet History
There’s only one archived photograph that proves croquet is part of Yukon’s past. When she saw it, Nancy Oakley’s imagination sparked; she’s got big plans
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Why does Dawson Need a Dike?
The Yukon Gold Panning Championships were held on the well-used greensward between Front Street and the dike. The greensward wouldn’t be here if the dike
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Made With Love in the Heart of the Yukon
Making soap is magical; how do all the liquid ingredients turn into a solid bar of soap? Joella Hogan has the answer. She is the
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In Praise of 7th Avenue
In Praise of 7th Avenue It’s not on the way to anywhere. It’s a world removed from the fast food congestion of 2nd and the
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Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Cake”
Sorry Folks No Poem This Week.
Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Cake” Read More »
Different Interests, Same Outcome
My oldest daughter Hayley and I have spent her whole life in the outdoors together; we hunt geese, ducks, moose, and caribou. We started hunting
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Barbara Chamberlin defies categorization
If it’s April and you’re hoping to hear Barbara Chamberlin perform, forget about it. “April is just a killer month,” she says. “I wouldn’t even
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Looking for Yukon Love Online
In previous weeks, this unattached Yukon man described his initial experiences in online dating, provided some observations on improving online dating profiles, and discussed how
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2014: Atlin Arts and Music Festival
Atlin Arts and Music Festival is an institution. Now in its 11th year, the event draws visitors and performers from across Canada and beyond.
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Grand Times at the Palace
The second full revival season has been launched at the Palace Grand theatre. Marveling at the theatre is past due; It’s time to celebrate that
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Fighting for Love
On July 17, 2014 Stephen and Rob Dunbar-Edge will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. This event, a milestone for any couple, is especially significant for
How to Dump
It was a Monday evening in June, before solstice. At nine o’clock, the sun was shining hot. Dallas-rae Gaven was reading in her bathhouse-cum-cabin on
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Caribou Legs’
Caribou Legs First he kicked his drug habit now he runs as fast as a rabbit. He runs many miles on mother earth and his
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A Successful Spring
As an Elder, I learned from my past Elders; as a Gwitchin, I live along with the season. Porcupine Caribou is our main source of
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Feasting on the Forest
Miche Genest is up early, squeezing wild-rose-petal-infused egg whites into small twists on parchment-paper-lined baking pans. She’s making meringues in preparation for the launch of
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The Evolution of Peter Mather’s Photography
Yukon photographer Peter Mather arrived in Old Crow last spring. He was here to finish a project he’d been working on for three years. For
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Front Street’s Elegant Showcase
The Commissioner’s Residence sits on Front Street, just past St. Paul’s Anglican Church, in Dawson City. It is one of six buildings in town designed
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Feels Like a Celebration
Journey with Our Hearts and Hands at Adäka Cultural Festival is 13 master carvers from New Zealand, BC, Alaska, the NWT & The Yukon.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Stanley Cup Season”
STANLEY CUP SEASON When it’s Stanley cup season It’s almost like treason. Dougie never misses a playoff and his TV is never off. He turns
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The World’s Greatest Migrator: the Arctic tern flies over 45,000 kilometres each year
The last Au Naturel column looked at the sudden appearance of birds during spring migration. Today, when you walk along the Millennium Trail, look out for
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Learning Beyond School: Braeburn Lake Summer Camp offers community, leadership and fun
Summer camp offers a lot to young people that classrooms don’t — canoeing, crafts, campfires, and no homework. However, what sticks out the most for
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Looking for Yukon Love Online: Part 3
In the previous two weeks, this unattached Yukon man described the circumstances that led him into the world of Yukon online dating and discussed some
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Winnowing Word in the Windy City
In windy Skagway, the boat people make their way from the cruise ships into town several times a day, clogging the streets and shops. I
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Gerald”
His name is Gerald Nukon From Old Crow Yukon. He always says “Hi!” An’ he’s a pretty cool guy. Gerald is such a great lad
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Big Caribou Days Celebration 2014
Move over Victoria Day, there’s another holiday in town. Before all you Queen enthusiasts spill your tea and choke on your crumpets, you will be
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The Power of Soul Mates: Joy and Rick Karp
After 48 years together, one of Rick Karp’s favourite words for his wife, Joy, is “B’shert”, a Yiddish word for destiny, or soul mate. It
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Welcome to the John Tizya Centre
For anyone who finds themselves in Old Crow with time on their hands, I suggest strolling to The John Tizya Centre. It’s “downtown”, just off
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The KVA promotes the Klondike to the world
The Klondike Visitors’ Association (originally the Klondike Travel Bureau) pre-dates the formation of the Yukon’s Department of Tourism (originally the Yukon Tourist Bureau) by over
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hope”
HOPE Don’t ever say nope ‘cause there’s always hope. Even if you don’t have soap You’ll always have hope. If you don’t have bug dope
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Jickling’s Jabberings: Monolith Moments
At the beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick’s science-fiction classic, the audience is introduced to a group of apes at the exact moment
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Northern Romance, June 5, 2014
Dear Juniper and Johnny, Three months ago I decided to swear off casual sex because I am looking for something more than just a fling.
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Gone But Not Forgotten
Great changes are moments that define your life. In an instant the axis of your world spins, and you have no choice but to see
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My View on Optics
Whether you’re a hunter, bird-watcher, naturalist, or a combination of all three, optics play a big part in the activity. Sure, wildlife can be spotted
Migration
Early in the spring, Swan Haven offers Yukoners a place to watch swans and other water birds as they stop to rest on their long
Shifting Gears
The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is about to check-off its 22nd year, and organizers are making sure the race adapts to changing times. Mike
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Autobiography”
AUTOBIOGRAPHY – A. BENJAMIN I DON’T LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT MYSELF ‘CAUSE SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE AN ELF. I WAS BORN UP IN OLD CROW
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A Not-So-Empty Nest
The robin obviously had a problem with us. I was hanging out on the back porch with my friend Jenny Duncombe — minding our own
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Sarah Abel”
Sarah Abel HER NAME IS SARAH ABEL AN’ SHE PRAYED AT THE COMMUNION TABLE. SHE WAS AN OLD CROW RESIDENT AND SHE WAS THE W.A. PRESIDENT SARAH WAS
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Haines Junctions’ Baker Goes Old School
When Dave Thompson found out Boyd Campbell was selling Haines Junction’s Village Bakery and Deli at the end of last summer, Thompson didn’t immediately jump
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Road Ready
When Morgan MacDonald closes his classroom door a few weeks from now, he’ll hit the road-less-travelled to gauge how far an alternate career path might
Changing Norms
In one of the many Rhianna songs to get major radio play, the pop star sings: “[you’re] just gonna stand there and watch me burn,
The George Black Ferry Links the Two Dawsons
The George Black Ferry splashed into the Yukon River shortly after 2:00 p.m. on May 15, bringing to life the summer time link between the
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Fly Fishing for Pike
In the Yukon, fly anglers usually target arctic grayling, rainbow trout, or kokanee salmon in stocked lakes. These fish are readily available, fairly easy to catch
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I Lived to tell the Tale
April 19, 2013 was a beautiful sunny day. I got out of bed and cooked eggs and ham for breakfast. I packed my hunting gear, two
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The tripod met an unusual fate this year
I was in Calgary in the middle of a snowstorm when the ice went out in the Yukon River this year. Two days earlier, it
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Tour Guide”
Tour Guide When I’m a tour guide I like walking outside. When I show tourists our town We use a wheelbarrow to get around. When
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Mary Tizya”
Mary Tizya I REALLY LOVE THIS PERSON SHE CAME FROM FT McPHERSON. THEN SHE BECAME ROSS’S WIFE AN’ LIVED IN OLD CROW MOST OF HER
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I Didn’t Know, Did You?
On my drive to work most mornings I laugh at the guys on the radio playing a game called, You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know.
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Say Aloha to Dawson’s New Taco Cart
Dawson City’s blend of old-time charm and contemporary conveniences gives it a rare appeal, so it’s fitting that a taco cart will soon grace this
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Kramer of the North
Robert Postma knocks on our door, comes in, and asks me if I have any butter. I say, “Careful with it, it’s like gold to
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Smaller Guns for Women and Youth
If the gun doesn’t fit the shooter, learning to use it will be difficult and even dangerous. Traditionally, both rifles and shotguns are made to
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Talent and Passion
The Yukon is blessed with a huge number of talented and passionate women. It would take much more space than I have here to pay
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Growing Up Gwich’in
Editor’s Note: When Jason Westover visited Elizabeth Kaye recently, he suggested he would love to know more about her life besides her passion for moccasin-making.
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Caribou Boots & Banana Bread
Since moving to Old Crow more than four decades ago Elizabeth (Liz) Kaye has kept a busy and active lifestyle in the community,
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From Mexico with Love
In 2007, Craig Graham-Biggers left the Yukon to run a bar in Baja, Mexico for a year. He expected sun and sand and to earn
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Spring migration means a busy time for birders
The end of April’s Celebration of Swans at Marsh Lake comes at a good time. That’s because at least a hundred other bird species are now
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Talking Points about “Klondike” for our summer visitors
There’s all sorts of misinformation about the Klondike Gold Rush out there. One of the most obvious is that a lot of Americans, other than
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Just For Today”
Just for Today Yesterday is history an’ tomorrow is a mystery. For yesterday I don’t worry an’ tomorrow I’m not in a hurry. If I
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Tuneful Fun
Beginning next week, Dawson City residents will have something to sing about – literally. The Good Times Community Choir will start up on May 6
Dawson’s reverse speed bumps slow people down
There are lots of places where people tend to drive a little too fast. Some of these places have had various ingenious traffic control systems
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Duct Tape
Likely, most households, tool-kits, camping–boxes, and glove compartments contain a roll of duct tape. Originally developed to seal joints in cold-air ducts (hence the name),
Doug and Pearl Bell
Doug Bell is still in love with the “beautiful, bubbly blonde” he met while he was a teenager in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Pearl, his wife
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Now Comes the Season of the Tripod
Sometime between now and May 29 (the absolute latest date in the records that have been kept since 1896), the ice in the Yukon River
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The Trouble with Stop-and-Chats
There is an episode on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David is walking down the street with his manager, Jeff. They pass a man who recognizes
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Sharing the Supernatural
If you’ve ever seen a strange light slip across the Yukon sky, or heard a mechanical buzz in the middle of a dark forest, don’t
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Dawson City Runs on Volunteers
I’ve been attending a number of annual general meetings lately, and the experience has simply served to reinforce something that I already knew: without the
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The Arrival of the Swans Means Spring is Near
If you spend time at Marsh Lake’s M’Clintock Bay this week, you may see new visitors. At up to four-and-a-half feet tall, 35 pounds, with
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Next Stop: Old Crow
At the Old Crow Airport Joseph said, “Let’s get on my ski-doo and get the cargo” My face said,“Sure,” my brain “Dude! It’s -40°C”
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Managing Recoil in Rifles
Newton’s law about every action having an equal and opposite reaction becomes obvious, and sometimes painful, when shooting any type of firearm. Firearm recoil or
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Around the world in a weekend
Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF) started in 2000, Dan Sokolowski has been organizing the festival for eight years.
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Cross-Cultural Advances in Klondike Education
On March 31, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) held a feast to remember the mixed-heritage children who came to Dawson City to live at St. Paul’s
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Mystic Mojo
Paranormal is normal. Everybody is psychic — some just a little more than others. That might sound untrue, but one must understand that, if interested,
Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Hair”
Sorry Folks no poem this week
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Swans Return to Their Second Home
April marks the glorious return of thousands of swans to the M’Clintock Bay area of Marsh Lake. This year is particularly special because it marks
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Dawson’s Streets Get Ready for Spring
Dawson‘s streets will be wider and lower by the time you read this column. There will be the odd large puddle around town, especially at
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A Good Vibe, With Music, Coffee, and Kids
On the first Saturday of every month, Dawson City residents have the opportunity to come together and enjoy an evening of family-friendly fun. Coffee houses
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A Recipe That Might Change Everything: The Ziploc Omelette
Next to drug dealers, North American kitchens are probably the biggest users of smallish, sealable plastic bags. There are a variety of sizes and brands,
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One Foot in a Moccasin, and One in a Sneaker
Marissa Mills, Kluane First Nation, example of what First Nations youth can achieve if they stay true to who they are as Indigenous people.
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Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Love”
Sorry Folks No Poem This Week.
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The Percy de Wolfe Race is Ready To Go
If the buzz around this year’s Percy de Wolfe Memorial Mail Race is any indication, this years’s event may be one to watch. Just how
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The Unexpected
It was a cool November morning in 2010, when the unexpected happened. My dog Gypsy and I had walked the Fish Lake Road area for
Falling in Love with the Territory, and Each Other
Christina Kaiser first fell in love with the Yukon in 1998, long before she set eyes on the man she would marry. Christina, who was
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The Hollywood Treatment
In Dawson we are of two minds regarding the Discovery Channel’s Klondike mini-series — that six hour reimagining of history, geography and culture that aired
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Bison Hunt: On The Table 5/5
When serving bison, ideally the first meal is raved about. If not you’ll have difficulty serving the remaining 2300 pounds in the freezer.
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What Does Klondike Mean to the World?
From the very beginning there’s been some confusion connected with the word “Klondike.” It started with new arrivals — the gold rush stampeders — who
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Fasting”
FASTING WE ALL NEED TO FAST ‘CAUSE THEY DID IT IN THE PAST. SOMETIMES FOOD I DON’T TOUCH ‘CAUSE I DON’T EAT TOO MUCH. I
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Northern Romance, March 13, 2014
Juniper and Johnny – I have been with my girlfriend for three years now and I am noticing that our intimacy level has started to
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How to Avoid Pitfalls When Hiring a Contractor
So you just bought a new place, and you didn’t pay too much attention during shop class, so you hire a contractor to do some
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Culture Camp”
CULTURE CAMP IF YOU GO TO THE CULTURE CAMP YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A CHAMP. IT IS IN AN OUTDOOR SCHOOL BUT IT IS REALLY
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Dawson Gets Ready for Spring with Thaw di Gras
Thaw Di Gras, Dawson’s annual spring carnival weekend, kicks off on March 14. The mostly family oriented weekend event is a lot of fun for
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Just For Today”
JUST FOR TODAY YESTERDAY IS HISTORY AN’ TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY. FOR YESTERDAY I DON’T WORRY AN’ TOMORROW I’M NOT IN A HURRY. IF I
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What Does the Future Hold for our Famous Eagle Family?
There is real-life drama unfolding in the nest of a Whitehorse eagle couple. Right now the question is, who is the eagle that has appeared
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Bison Hunt: In The Kitchen 4/5
Nutrient comparison: fat per 100 grams of lean cooked meat: bison: 2.42 grams; choice beef: 10.15 grams; pork: 9.66 gram. Why we hunt Bison.
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The Trek Will Be Coming Soon
The 21st running of the Trek Over the Top snowmobile run from Tok, Alaska, to Dawson City and back will take place from March 6
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Senator, Mayor, Sourdough Wafflemaker
When Ione Christensen invited me into her home to talk sourdough, I could tell she’s done this before. I hadn’t gotten passed “Nice to meet
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Northern Gifts
Some gifts take time sinking in; others stare you in the face. We, our family of four in a VW Beetle, arrived late in Watson
Didee & Didoo: Sex Education
SEX EDUCATION IT WASN’T TOUGHT IN OUR SCHOOL MAYBE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CRUEL. WE NEVER LEARNED FROM A TEXT ‘CAUSE THEY NEVER TAUGHT US
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Myth and Medium are Coming Again
The bi-annual Myth and Medium symposium runs from February 24 to 28 this year, the week after the territorial Heritage Day holiday. Heritage Day originally
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Tiny Homes for Big Change
It’s no secret that Yukon communities feel pinched when it comes to housing, employment, and capacity. Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CTFN) has an innovative program to
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Bison Hunt: Field Care 3/5
I suppose by now some hunter has field-dressed a large wood bison by themselves, but I’ll bet they never want to do it again.
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The Evolution of Rendezvous
It’s the biggest party in the territory, and this year Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous celebrates its 50th anniversary. For a lot of Yukoners the festival represents
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Northern Romance, February 13, 2014
Dear Juniper and Johnny, My girlfriend and I were casually discussing the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use plan that was just released and we ended
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “WALK A MILE”
WALK A MILE WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES? WELL I HAVE SOME BAD NEWS. HER SHOES ARE SMALL SIZE WHICH IS NOT MADE FOR
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Getting into the Skins of Things
Rebekah Miller is fascinated with zippers, with how they both conceal and reveal, how they open and close. She’s also fascinated with coverings – whether
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Bison Hunt: Getting Equipped 2/5
Hunting Bison isn’t easy. One bull broken down and weighed in pieces is 2,300 pounds. Big animals that can disappear after being hit well.
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Salt of the Yukon
Dwayne and Nellie Backstrom might never be listed in the pages of The Colourful Five Percent; I don’t think they would care to be. But
Rendezvous In the Old Days
Rendezvous – it’s always been our mid-winter break. A chance to unwind. It’s competition, and horseplay, and fun.
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Hunt or be Hunted
Zombies. Would you be ready to fend for yourself if the undead filled the streets? If you haven’t thought about it yet, you’re already behind.
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hot Spell”
HOT SPELL YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT YOUR WINTER CLOTHES AN’ YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR NOSE. YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR SEAT AND YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR
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Barnacle Bob Headlines at the Odd Fellows Hall
Barnacle Bob Hilliard is ubiquitous on the Dawson City music scene. Since arriving in the early 1990s he’s been a fixture in the bars around
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Emily Nishikawa Makes Tracks for Sochi
I’m certain I’ll never speak to a more grounded Olympian than Whitehorse born-and-raised Emily Nishikawa. I caught Nishikawa on the phone the day before her
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Life on the Border
National Geographic Channel’s TV show, Border Security, about customs officers dealing with strange and sometimes dangerous people is often set in a metropolitan city, most
Life on the Border Read More »
The Dawson City Music Festival Focuses on Quality over Quantity
2014: Frostbite and the Kluane Bluegrass, are taking the year off, Dawson City Music Festival (DCMF) soldiers on.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “GOD STAND BY ME”
GOD STAND BY ME WHEN I’M FEELING DOWN AND I HAVE A FROWN GOD STAND BY ME! WHEN IT’S ALL BAD NEWS AND I HAVE
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Bison Hunt: intro of the herd 1/5
1998 was the first bison hunting season. They did nothing to avoid hunters. Later they became wary so hunting them became more challenging.
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Smoker Choice and Maintenance
Leaning against the counter at my wife Heather’s staff party, I listened to tales of hiking trips, caribou hunts, broken ATVs and fishing trips good
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Finally Fishing Time
Leaning against the counter at my wife Heather’s staff party, I listened to tales of hiking trips, caribou hunts, broken ATVs and fishing trips good
Finally Fishing Time Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “David”
DAVID MY FRIEND, DAVID, IS A GOOD MECHANIC AND HE LIKES TO EAT DRY MEAT AND BANNOCK. ON OLD CROW MOUNTAIN HE HAS A TENT
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Radio With Heart
Volunteer radio has a long history in Dawson City, with the current organization – CFYT-FM (106.9) – reaching back to 1984. At that time, the
Survival Skills for the Music Industry
“Marketing is a hated part of the music business that musicians need to get right,” says Steve Reed, executive director of Music Yukon. But he
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Canning Wild Meat
Before electricity, drying and canning were the only ways to preserve meat, but I’ll bet it didn’t take long to get tired of eating dried
Selling ‘cool’ … one bottle at a time
Let’s talk about beer. OK, not specifically about beer. Rather about the significant contribution a brewery like the Yukon Brewing Company can make to promote
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Fondue in the forest is a social event: Wolf’s Den Restaurant does it the European way
The fondue is one of the most social of meals. It requires the diner to wait between bites and, thus, has lots of opportunity to
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Didee & Didoo: Cold Rush
COLD RUSH IN THE SUMMER THE MOSQUITOS WILL BITE IN THE WINTER THE FROST WILL BITE. WHEN YOU GO TO THE OUTHOUSE YOU WEAR YOUR
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A loppet runs through it
INUVIK Contrary to what some wise guys in Whitehorse believe, there are trees in Inuvik, N.W.T. and its annual Top Of The World Ski Loppet
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Yukon Girl: The Homeschool Social in Tagish
There is a new program that has started in Tagish, it’s called the Homeschool Social. I interviewed the recreation director, Colin Hickman, and three Penner
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Tropical paradise north of the Arctic Circle: Inuvik Family Centre to open April 2
INUVIK The newest vacation hot spot in the North could very well become Inuvik. On April 2, the Inuvik Family Centre will officially open its
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Emergency Services Off the Beaten Track
In Whitehorse, the hospital is usually mere minutes away from most corners of the city. However, in the Yukon communities, residents don’t have that luxury.
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Doing what it takes: Haines Junction’s very own Gretzky and Kurri
Passion, skill and dedication are the main qualities Coach Joe Martin looks for on his Whitehorse Mustangs Midget Rep hockey team. No players may personify
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Best Coach”
BEST COACH DIDOO WAS THE BEST COACH ‘CAUSE SHE HAD THE WINNING APPROACH. SHE SHOWED ME HOW TO RUN ON SNOWSHOES AN’ SHE NEVER TAUGHT
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The Rich History in Mount Lorne
“There’s gold in them thar hills” is how Sharon Hickey, president of the Lorne Mountain Community Association (LMCA), introduced the special edition newsletter released last
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A Season in the Mist
Freeze-up on the Yukon River is not proceeding according to custom this year. Despite the lack of ice at the regular crossing down by the
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Vacuum Sealers
Fish quality deteriorates faster than anything else in your freezer. Flavour loss and freezer-burn are the most common results. Double wrapping with plastic and butcher
What it Means to be Two-spirited
In some First Nations, two-spirited people are a common part of the history of their culture. Will Roscoe, for example, writes in the book The
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Time For Birds: Birds are Counting on Us
Looking for a break from the seasonal frenzy of eating, partying, and shopping? Think about signing up for another holiday tradition: your local Christmas bird
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The purrrrfect portrait
Gerry Steers has the patience of a saint. The owner of Gerry’s Computer Magic spends her days doing what she loves best – photographing animals.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “SEWER TRUCK GUYS”
SEWER TRUCK GUYS THEY GO ON THEIR DAILY TOUR WHEN THEY PUMP THE SEWER. THESE ARE THE GUYS WE SHOULD THANK WHEN THEY EMPTY OUR
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Northern Romance, December 12, 2013
Hi Juniper & Johnny, My roommate’s boyfriend of three years claims to be in the process of separating from his wife, however I believe it’s
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Staging the Nativity in the Museum
Christmas Eve is a busy night in Dawson City, with all four of the churches holding their own late evening services in honour of the
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We’re Not Out Here Shopping
Every time you pick up a magazine you can read how this guy did this and that guy shot that, but it takes a bit
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Help a Brother, Sister, or Animal Out
I came across this tidbit in the government study “Volunteering in Canada” by Mireille Vézina and Susan Crompton: In 2010, 88 per cent of Yukoners
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “SOMETIMES I’M DUMB “
SOMETIMES I’M DUMB SOMETIMES MY MIND IS BLANK LIKE AN EMPTY GAS TANK. SOMETIMES I CAN’T THINK AN’ MY MEMORY IS ON THE BRINK. SOMETIMES
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Wrapping for the Freezer
Freezer-burn ruins a lot of meat, fish, and vegetables every year. It is caused by air leakage in the packaging, which allows the moisture to
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The Real Value of Athletic Excellence: Alain Masson inducted into Hall of Fame
Helping an athlete to manage mental pressure is one of the most important factors for Alain Masson. Athletes need this kind of mental skill if
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Virtual Village: Virtual Village: Facebook is “Like Farming”
Did you ever wonder what’s behind those math questions on Facebook? You know, the ones that “most people will get wrong.” Or what about those
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “MY NEW WORDS”
MY NEW WORDS INSTEAD OF CARIBOU MEETING YOU CAN SAY CARIBOU MEATING. INSTEAD OF EDIBLE YOU CAN SAY EATABLE THEY SPELL SEAGULL BUT I SPELL
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Lucy’s Legacy
I fell in love with this photo of my great grandma. The fact that my heritage can be traced back to Lucy Peter, one of
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like… You Know
The Dawson pre-Christmas season launched on Nov. 10 as the gym in the Robert Service School filled up for the Dawson Daycare’s Bazaar. This was
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Use Time for Birds: The Black-billed Magpie
The laughing, cackling black-billed magpie is one of the noisiest birds in the Yukon and one of the most noticeable at this time of year.
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Edible Yukon: On the Road Again
Ah, the lure of the open road. Horizons stretching off into the distance, no fixed schedule, no cell service, roadside coffee, and every other service
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Coleman: A Good Name in Camping Equipment
It’s been a long time since I was a child, but I clearly remember Coleman lights and stoves on my earliest family camping trips. These
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Northern Romance, November 21, 2013
Dear Readers, Charley Sprucetip and I have parted ways. Fortunately, I have found an absolutely delightful and charming writing partner, Johnny Snowshoe, who has years
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Free Store”
FREE STORE YOU WON’T FEEL POOR SHOPPING AT THE FREE STORE. I’M NOT TELLING YOU A JOKE YOU CAN SHOP VEN IF YOU’RE BROKE. YOU
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In Defense of Earnestness
In my room I have a desk where I work. And on the wall above that desk I have tacked a What’s Up Yukon article
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Dawson Hosts a Medley of Concerts to Check Out
As winter approaches and the Yukon River finally begins to fill up with ice, it’s pretty clear that there’s a lot of music on tap
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The Cut-Throat World of Forest Real Estate
Sometimes it’s tough to find the perfectplace to live, or even a place to live at all. During these times of scant housing, have you
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Local Angler Receives National Recognition
On October 9, 2013 Dennis Zimmerman was awarded the 2013 Recreational Fishing Award. This award, which is only handed out to a handful of Canadians
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The Yukon Romance of Claude and Mary Tidd
The following story is from an online exhibit by Yukon Archives that features letters, diaries, manuscripts, newspaper articles, photos, home movies and sound recordings collected
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Cold Rush”
COLD RUSH IN THE SUMMER THE MOSQUITOS WILL BITE IN THE WINTER THE FROST WILL BITE. WHEN YOU GO TO THE OUTHOUSE YOU WEAR YOUR
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What is the Tr’ondëk-Klondike Project?
In two previous columns I have given some background behind Dawson City’s interest in UNESCO’s World Heritage Status designation. The Klondike region was placed on
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Up North: Up-and-coming, award-winning outfitter is just a nice guy
I’ve known Mark Stenzig, owner of Up North Adventures, for a few years. But my most memorable meeting with him was during Christmas 2003. My
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Elegance and decadence on a cold night
Like many Yukoners, I had dinner at La Gourmandise Creperie and World Cuisine when it first opened last fall. It was a wonderful experience, but
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “TOUGHEST GWICHIN”
TOUGHEST GWICHIN SHE WAS AS TOUGH AS ROCKS MY GREAT GRANDMA MARGARET BLACKFOX. SHE WAS THE TOUGHEST GWICHIN ‘CAUSE ANY RACE SHE CAN WIN. DIDOO
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Recipes for a Vibrant Community
Red beets and sharp knives are to Agnes Seitz the pinnacle of fall produce and kitchen equipment, respectively. As the recreation director for Mount Lorne,
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First Issue “I’m just saying”
Dennis Fentie is the premier of the Yukon and watches over an annual budget of $550 million … but I don’t care about that. I
First Issue “I’m just saying” Read More »
Evidence Inconclusive, But the Place is Still Freaky
Jude Griebel’s first book, Footsteps in The Macaulay House, deals with a favourite Dawson City topic — ghosts. The Vancouver-based painter and sculptor first heard
Evidence Inconclusive, But the Place is Still Freaky Read More »
Spooky Noises are Okay, but No More Showing Up in the Flesh
Imagine working alone in an older building where, on occasion, people have seen ghosts, heard them walking around, and had them messing with their stuff.
Spooky Noises are Okay, but No More Showing Up in the Flesh Read More »
Dawson City Yukon: A Living Ghost Town
Dawson City Yukon, on the shores of the Klondike River, has often been described as a living ghost town. Which means, of course, along with
Dawson City Yukon: A Living Ghost Town Read More »
Things That Go Bump in the Night
I’ve got the creeps, the willies, and the jim-jams. I’ve just heard ghost stories from Heidi Bliedungand Aaron Burnie from the love-worn, historic Westminster Hotel
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Bill Smith”
BILL SMITH HIS NAME IS BILL SMITH, AND TABITH HE STAY WITH. SHE WAS HIS GWITCH’IN WIFE, AND THEY LIKE THE BUSH LIFE. BILL WAS
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A Subversive Singer-Songwriter Comes to the Yukon
While Martha Wainwright began her current tour a year ago to promote her latest CD, Come Home to Mama, she says the North American portion
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Through the Eyes of an Elder”
THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ELDER I SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ELDER NOT THROUGH THE HELMET OF A WELDER. IF YOU SEE THROUGH
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To: Japan, With Love From: Whitehorse
A hand-drawn card from a child — featuring a heart, or people holding hands — is powerful stuff. It can bring a lump to the
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Tarps Around Camp
Tarpaulins are a very important, but often under-utilized, piece of outdoor equipment. There is no reason why a nature enthusiast shouldn’t have a bunch of
Coffee and Good Conversation
“We’ve been married 65 years and we still talk to each other,” Gordon Toole chuckles warmly. “I still feel the same about Rose as I
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Edible Yukon: Then and Now
Last week I spent a couple of days in Teslin doing some painting for a friend in a house we used to share. The leaves
Edible Yukon: Then and Now Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Darius”
DARIUS HE’S A GWITCH’IN ATHLETE, THAT LIKES TO COMPETE HIS NAME IS DARIUS, AND HE’S VERY SERIOUS. HE’S A PRO, FROM OLD CROW HE THREW
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The Legacy of Dick North will Endure
The late Dick North used to quip that with a surname like his it was no mystery that he worked as a journalist in
The Legacy of Dick North will Endure Read More »
A Queer Look at Life
Rae Spoon is not the average musician. The transgender musician has become a household name in Canada’s burgeoning queer music scene.
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A Backward Glance Down Memory Road
Once upon a time in the Northland the river was the road, the wheels were paddles and time stretched long. They were called “the good
A Backward Glance Down Memory Road Read More »
Telling the Stories of the North
Whitehorse resident Dennis Allen has crafted a successful career out of telling stories close to his heart: stories of life and culture of the people
Telling the Stories of the North Read More »
Adventurers Find Each Other
Bruce Barrett and Judy Forrest came up to the Yukon for adventure and work, but never dreamed they’d fall in love with the territory —
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The History Hunter
Helene Dobrowolsky found her vocation as an author and historian by happenstance. “After a few years of camp cooking, a friend told me about a
The History Hunter Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Check Up”
CHECK UP WHEN I GO FOR A CHECK UP THEY MAKE ME PEE IN A CUP. I HOPE I DON’T LOOK PALE WHEN I STAND
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A Conversation with Astrid Zoer: Local Psychic, Barber and Author
You might know Astrid Zoer from Hendrik’s Barber Shop in Whitehorse, or as the psychic medium at Lifepath Readings, but she recently added “author” to
A Conversation with Astrid Zoer: Local Psychic, Barber and Author Read More »
Lighting and Keeping a Fire
Fires keep us warm, get us dry, cook our food, act as a signal and make us feel good. Anyone can eventually get a fire
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Naming and Renaming History
Change sometimes takes time, even if the change means a return to the familiar. On July 26, 1978, the Whitehorse Star reported that, “a beautification
Naming and Renaming History Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “SEWING “
SEWING MY AUNTIE MAKES EXTRA BUCKS WHEN SHE SEWS MUKLUKS. WHEN SHE SEWS BEAVER MITTS AUNTIE NEVER CALLS IT QUITS. SHE MAKES TEA IN DIPPERS
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Hooked on Haines
Salmon fishing in Haines is one of the most exciting fishing trips a Yukoner can take. The vast array of species creates an opportunity for
Proposing World Heritage Status for the Klondike
The headline on the front page of the July 24, 1997 edition of the Klondike Sun proclaimed, “Berton Proposes Dawson for World Heritage Site Status.”
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Hard Work, Long Days and Satisfaction in the Arctic
In a memorable scene in the 1983 movie Never Cry Wolf (adapted from Farley Mowat’s 1963 book), a biologist is dropped by floatplane in the
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “THE GREAT OUTDOORS”
THE GREAT OUTDOORS ANIMALS ON ALL FOURS, LIVE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS. ANIMALS GIVE BIRTH, ON THEIR MOTHER EARTH. THIS IS THEIR HOME, WHERE THEY
Didee & Didoo – Poem “THE GREAT OUTDOORS” Read More »
Axe Care and Use
I’ve never found a hatchet very useful, but they are very common camping equipment. If hatchet carriers tried a short, full-sized axe, I am confident
Sweet-smelling success
Becki Brauen, literally, began her business, Lilli Pie Lotions, in a garage six years ago. Literally, she pounded pavement and knocked on doors; she set
Sweet-smelling success Read More »
Should employees be allowed to use work computers for personal use?
THOSE WHO SAY YES, SAY: As computers become more and more sophisticated, they become more and more useful. And, the more useful they are, the
Should employees be allowed to use work computers for personal use? Read More »
Hot items and hot coffee go hand In hand
The most popular door leading into Board Stiff is the one that opens from Bent Spoon Café. “We encourage people to carry coffees in,” says
Hot items and hot coffee go hand In hand Read More »
Banding together for business
For this issue, I interviewed three people who, in the business world at least, walk in very different circles. There was Craig Hougen and Mary-Jane
Banding together for business Read More »
Building a Family and a Business
“It’s hard to think of myself as a young entrepreneur, I’ve been doing it so long,” says Mrs. Lee Randell. She and her husband, Mr.
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Give Yourself License to be Creative
We are lucky in Whitehorse; there are testaments everywhere to the fact that our community values creativity. There are several galleries, coffee shops and government
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She’s the boss
There is a commercial on television that implores people to “fire your boss” and become self employed. Catchy line. In many ways, it sums up
‘Artrepreneurship’ on Training Wheels
Andrew Finton, of the Sundog Retreat Carving Program, likes to point to Calvin Morberg as one of his successful young carvers. Today he has a
‘Artrepreneurship’ on Training Wheels Read More »
Focused Decisions from Focused Conversation
You’ve got a problem and you need to fix it. Where do you start? With questions, of course! In essence, you have a conversation with
Focused Decisions from Focused Conversation Read More »
Give your small business a big face
Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council indicates a decline in our overall labour force from a growth rate of 1.4 percent in 2005 to 0.4 percent
Give your small business a big face Read More »
Less Experience Could Mean More Opportunity
The labour market. It’s an issue that has been discussed to no end and we still haven’t reached a solution. Where do we find staff
Less Experience Could Mean More Opportunity Read More »
Generation ‘why-not’
Those of us in the workforce who are over the age of 30 have one thing in common: we have nothing in common with those
Generation ‘why-not’ Read More »
Should I hire a young person or someone with experience?
THOSE WHO CHOOSE YOUTH SAY: Let’s face it: whomever you hire will likely be gone within five years. Workers are transient these days and that
Should I hire a young person or someone with experience? Read More »
The Sourtoe Cocktail: A Popular Gag
The Sourtoe Cocktail gets a mixed reception in the world abroad. Thousands of people have touched their lips to Captain Dick Stevenson’s inventive libation and
The Sourtoe Cocktail: A Popular Gag Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Cry”
CRYING I CONSIDER MYSELF A STRONG GUY, BUT I ALWAYS SEEM TO CRY. I DON’T EVEN HAVE TO TRY, ‘CAUSE I KNOW HOW TO CRY.
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Cry” Read More »
Lost and Found
In 2010, I was privileged to hunt with my 12-year-old daughter on our second successful moose hunt. We were able to get a shot at
Didee & Didoo – Poem “TUG OF WAR “
TUG OF WAR THEIR TITLE THEY ALWAYS DEFEND, AND THEY ALWAYS BEAT THE MEN. TUG OF WAR IS A CONTEST, TO SEE WHO IS THE
Didee & Didoo – Poem “TUG OF WAR “ Read More »
Boot Care
A high-quality, well-made pair of hiking boots will probably cost you much more than your sleeping bag and almost as much as your tent. Having
Created from Shattered Glass
From May to September you can find Riley Brennan all around Dawson, digging in the dirt as she skillfully helps to make the town a
Created from Shattered Glass Read More »
Getting Around the Yukon: Carcross
To sum it up, there’s a new scene in the Yukon, worth visiting; Carcross has got a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Getting Around the Yukon: Carcross Read More »
Andy and Esmé Cruickshank
A 1920s Love Story, a Ryan B-1 high-winged monoplane named the Queen of the Yukon and the start of the Yukon Airways and Exploration Company.
Andy and Esmé Cruickshank Read More »
Running from Skagway to Whitehorse
The first year I ran in The Klondike Trail of ’98 International Road Relay, I was one of a group of women who were all
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Delving into the History of Bear Creek
Bear Creek Compound is owned by Parks Canada now, but it was once the thriving centre of operations for the Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation (YCGC),
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Leading a Heroic Life: Jane Jacobs introduces us to one of her favourite people
My friend Paddy Sumner’s had a past that was rich in memories, a present that was always adventurous and fun, and a future that was
Leading a Heroic Life: Jane Jacobs introduces us to one of her favourite people Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Thinking”
I ALWAYS SIT AND THINK AND I WRITE IT IN INK I ALWAYS THINK LOTS AN’ I WRITE DOWN MY THOTS MY IDEAS GET BIGGER
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Thinking” Read More »
A Terd of Hurtles
There was a time when the Great Klondike International Outhouse race featured 12 to 17 teams and was quite a bit more of an extreme
Wild Game Chilli and Spaghetti Sauce
Up to a certain point in the preparation, spaghetti sauce and chilli are the same recipe. It’s only when you start to add the specific
Wild Game Chilli and Spaghetti Sauce Read More »
Pop Into Haines Junction For Art With Soul
Haines Junction may be too small to have a grocery store, but it has artists galore. Artists, craftspeople, photographers and writers all display and sell
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Getting Around the Yukon: Teslin in a Day
Last month Teslin Tlingit Council hosted a huge Ha Kus Teyea celebration with thousands visiting Teslin. In the months leading up to it, I invited
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Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Paddle”
Allan Benjamin is a cartoonist from Old Crow, Yukon.
Didee & Didoo – Cartoon “Paddle” Read More »
Dredges Kept the Klondike Alive
Despite iconic images of a solitary miner with a pan or a group of men drifting into a hillside, the dredges of the corporate-mining-era are the main reason that Dawson outlasted the usual boom-and-bust cycle common to gold rush towns.
Dredges Kept the Klondike Alive Read More »
The Butterfly Report
On July 16, 2013 I saw a super big moth. I am not into moths yet, I’m just getting to know butterflies, but this Bedstraw
The Butterfly Report Read More »
Who Wears the Fishing Pants?
There is a competitive spirit in our house. Every season my wife Heather and I bicker about the size and amount of fish we will
Who Wears the Fishing Pants? Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Terry Fox”
TERRY FOX IF YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING IN, AND YOU’RE NOT LIKELY TO WIN, JUST REMEMBER TERRY FOX, AND HIS WISE TALKS. HE IS AN
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Terry Fox” Read More »
Learning About the Yukon’s First Peoples
Grade 5 teachers had some homework to do this summer. They were getting up to speed on the First Nations social studies curriculum. Selena Pye,
Learning About the Yukon’s First Peoples Read More »
Klondike Korner: Klondyke Korner: Discover a New Interpretive Walk
Saturday, August 17, is coming right up. That’s Discovery Day, the day that Skookum Jim (Keish), Dawson Charlie (Káa Goox) and George Carmack stumbled across
Klondike Korner: Klondyke Korner: Discover a New Interpretive Walk Read More »
Getting Around the Yukon: Faro
I lived 20 years in Faro. I could tell of a golf course started with spray-painted targets, hiking Van Gorda Falls, cabins on the Dena Cho.
Getting Around the Yukon: Faro Read More »
A Trip Through Dog Mushing Past and Present: Dawson area resident runs year-round dog mushing museum
Kyia Bouchard was in her mid-50s when she discovered dog mushing. One year later, she left her life in New York City behind and relocated
Authors on Eighth
Taking a stroll along the Writers’ Block — from the corner of 8th Avenue and Hanson Street to the corner of 8th and Firth —
Didee & Didoo – Poem “MY OLDER BROTHER”
MY OLDER BROTHER WE GREW UP IN OLD CROW YUKON ME AND MY FRIEND WILLIAM NUKON. HE WAS LIKE MY OLDER BROTHER AN’ HE WAS
Didee & Didoo – Poem “MY OLDER BROTHER” Read More »
Exploring Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Culture
The striking Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre was controversial when it was first being built in Dawson City — it’s not exactly a gold rush themed
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “WHITESTONE TRIP”
WHITESTONE TRIP IT WAS IN 1976 IN THE SPRING WHEN THE BIRDS STARTED TO SING. WE BUILT A SMALL WOODEN SHIP TO GO ON
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Kennedys: Making Waves and Making Headlines
The wild beauty of the Yukon is the décor of our daily lives. But when famous types make a special trip to the Yukon, it’s
Kennedys: Making Waves and Making Headlines Read More »
Lost but not Forgotten: RCMP honours officers killed in 1963 Carmacks plane crash
It’s been 50 years since the worst RCMP plane crash in Yukon history. On July 13, 1963 at 8:10 p.m. a DHC-2 Beaver (CF-MPO) on
Lost but not Forgotten: RCMP honours officers killed in 1963 Carmacks plane crash Read More »
Around the Americas on Vegetable Oil
A travel-loving Chilean couple has begun a journey that will lead them through provinces, countries, continents, and even hemispheres. And what’s more: they will fuel
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The Beauty of Biodiesel
One of these days soon a couple from Chile is going to arrive in Whitehorse, their inter-continental road trip fuelled by vegetable grease from restaurants
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Klondike Korner: Life Returns to the Palace Grand Theatre
When “Arizona” Charlie Meadows built his Palace Grand Theatre in 1899 in Dawson City, it probably never occurred to him that some version of the
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “WINTER IS GONE”
WINTER IS GONE WHEN I SEE A SWAN I KNOW WINTER IS GONE. WHEN I HEAR A ROBIN SING I KNOW ITS FINALLY SPRING. WE
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Getting Tipsy While On the Trail
They are a drinking club that runs, and they’ve got comrades around the world. They are the Whitehorse Hash House Harriers (WH4). The original Hash
Getting Tipsy While On the Trail Read More »
What to Have in a First Aid Kit
You’ll never be sorry for carrying a basic First Aid kit with you on your outdoor adventures. Kits are available ready-made, but they are expensive
What to Have in a First Aid Kit Read More »
Part of the Land, Part of the Water
During early land claim negotiations, respected Teslin elder Virginia Smarch once said of her Tlingit community, “that is who we are: part of the land,
Part of the Land, Part of the Water Read More »
For the Love of Dunes
Battling wind that whipped sand across faces and canvases, 15 artists hunkered down in the Carcross sand dunes to document the area’s beauty.
For the Love of Dunes Read More »
Seventy-Five Years and Counting
Alice and Arthur John of Ross River started their marriage in the traditional Dena way — their families arranged it. “Mom said she was about
Seventy-Five Years and Counting Read More »
Klondike Korner: Parks Open Some Dawson Doors for the Summer
On an increasingly slender budget Parks Canada attempts to preserve quite a bit of real estate in Dawson City. A lot of it is still
Klondike Korner: Parks Open Some Dawson Doors for the Summer Read More »
Increase Your Chances of Communicating with Outer Space
“How big is the space station and do you have enough room to dance?” a Grade 3 Grey Mountain Primary School student asked Chris Hadfield
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Local Farmers Need Us to Gobble Their Stuff
When the highway flooded-out last spring it meant that cargo trucks full of food couldn’t deliver their goods to grocery stores. It was a wake-up
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “BEING A DOG “
BEING A DOG I DON’T THINK I WOULD BE A HOG ‘CAUSE I’D RATHER BE A DOG. I DON’T THINK I WANT TO BE A
Didee & Didoo – Poem “BEING A DOG “ Read More »
There’s a Market for Art in Dawson City
There is a buzz of excitement among the arts community in Dawson City. Starting last weekend, and continuing every Saturday throughout the summer, Dawson will
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We Heart America: A birthday letter
Happy birthday, America. We love you, we really do. In honour of your special day, a bunch of us got together and started talking about
We Heart America: A birthday letter Read More »
Beginner’s Luck
We pulled into Frenchman Lake campground late at night to find it full. The day was like every other Friday, too busy to take care
Sharing Traditional Art with Europeans
Dennis and I leftRoss River, and landed in Germany on our annual trip to promote tourism, culture, and Yukon artists,.
Sharing Traditional Art with Europeans Read More »
Skagway Club Shares Gardening Tips
Whether you’re in the Yukon, Alaska, or Arizona, your ground is the foundation of gardening, and that is the focus of the keynote event at
Skagway Club Shares Gardening Tips Read More »
Coping with the Summer’s Heat
The most common question from visitors is the one I was asked by a lady from Alabama this afternoon. I was on my way home
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hot Spell”
HOT SPELL YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT YOUR WINTER CLOTHES AN’ YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR NOSE. YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR SEAT AN’ YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR
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Celebrate the Fourth of July with our American Neighbours
Canada Day has come and gone. The flag has been praised, the beer has been drunk, and you are swept up in patriotic fervour. You
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “She”
She was born in Old Crow, under a colourful rainbow, where the caribou roam, this is where she calls home. There the snow is so
Didee & Didoo – Poem “She” Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “I Come From Old Crow”
I come from Old Crow, where the Porcupine River flow. A small isolated log cabin town, where you’ll hear my fiddle sound. I am from
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The many artful faces of eggs benny
I love Eggs Benedict. It is the ultimate comfort food for me … on weekend winter mornings that is. So, imagine my joy as I
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Sunshine Paradox
BY DAN DAVIDSON Luminous ice-fogged sunshine haze sits upon the earth; mocks our avenues and days with signs of nature’s mirth. Sunshine should bring warmer
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Long Ago”
Long ago they never use padlocks, and doors we never locks. Nobody would take your stuff, because stealing was unheard of. The way people live,
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Long Ago” Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “WALK A MILE”
Walk a mile in her shoes? Well, I have some bad news. Her shoes are small size, which is not made for guys. Her high
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Elder’s Eyes”
When you look into our elders’ eyes, you can tell that they are wise. When you hold their hand, it’s obvious they lived off the
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The Klondike Echoes Down through the Literary Years
The Klondike has been the inspiration for a great deal of fiction since the Gold Rush, beginning with Jack London, who came with the Stampeders
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “AUTOBIOGRAPHY”
AUTOBIOGRAPHY I DON’T LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT MYSELF ‘CAUSE SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE AN ELF. I WAS BORN UP IN OLD CROW WHERE THE PORCUPINE
Didee & Didoo – Poem “AUTOBIOGRAPHY” Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Chief Peter Moses”
His name was Chief Peter Moses, he was my Grandpa I supposes. Clara Frost was my Grandmother, and Peter was her older brother. This story
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Canada Day, Eh?
Red Grossinger figures Canada Day is one of the most meaningful events for a community to share together. He has been organizing Canada Day in
Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Jackson Brothers”
The Jackson Brothers had a boat, but I guess it wasn’t made to float. The brothers had a freight barge, and the pilot should’ve been
Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Jackson Brothers” Read More »
Faro’s sheep and cranes ready for their closeup
Faro’s Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival has attracted international attention before as it grows yet again in its fifth year.
Faro’s sheep and cranes ready for their closeup Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “George Attla”
George Attla is an Alaskan, and his tribe is Athabaskan. Since he was a young boy, dog racing was his joy. George comes from a
Didee & Didoo – Poem “George Attla” Read More »
There’s a Bear in my Yard!
Whether your yard is a camp-site, the area around your cabin or your fenced residential property, it is still disconcerting and sometimes frightening to have
There’s a Bear in my Yard! Read More »
Songbirds Need Our Help
Recent reports indicate that populations of northern boreal forest birds are doing better here than in other parts of Canada. Local biologist Katie Aitken says
Songbirds Need Our Help Read More »
Yukon Teens Connect with the Past
Teens are not known for their love of history, but at least one Yukon museum is trying to change that. The MacBride Museum of Yukon
Yukon Teens Connect with the Past Read More »
Soooo Cute
Some pretty cute babies have been born at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve this spring. There are several sheep lambs, four lynx kittens, a mule deer
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hope”
HOPE DON’T EVER SAY NOPE ‘CAUSE THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE. EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOAP YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE HOPE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE BUG DOPE
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hope” Read More »
Sweethearts ’til the End
A chance encounter during wartime turned into a love that lasted more than 65 years. In 1944, John Gould was a young Royal Canadian Air
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More Tips About Tents
Now that you’ve selected a tent and figured out how to set it up, let’s consider some more tips to get the best use out
More Tips About Tents Read More »
Klondike Korner: Lovely Artworks Carry Disturbing Message
One of the many projects under the umbrella of the Dawson City Arts Society is the ODD Galley, which is housed on a corner of
Klondike Korner: Lovely Artworks Carry Disturbing Message Read More »
Tooting our Horn of Plenty
For most normal people, an ideal vacation destination includes delicious food experiences. Like in Italy, for example, you can see the art and architecture while
Tooting our Horn of Plenty Read More »
French Toast: Puppets on the Big Screen
I’ve met some beautiful and special fabric puppets. They live here in Whitehorse and they come from the imaginary world of Fabienne Tessier. Tessier sews
French Toast: Puppets on the Big Screen Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Edith Josie”
She came across the border, and became a news reporter. Eagle, Alaska she left behind, and Old Crow she did find. Edith Josie is her
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Edith Josie” Read More »
Smart Phones Require Smart People
Sure, it’s a smart phone. I don’t think the name is wrong, so much as how the name is understood. If you are smart, you
Smart Phones Require Smart People Read More »
Celebrating the Yukon’s Birthday
The event that led to the formation of the Yukon occurred on August 16, 1896: it was the discovery of gold on what was then
Celebrating the Yukon’s Birthday Read More »
Adäka Cultural Festival – Selkirk Spirit Dancers
After their initial inception, the Selkirk Spirit Dancers had a hiatus, Based in Pelly Crossing it is now comprised of 45 dancers.
Adäka Cultural Festival – Selkirk Spirit Dancers Read More »
Motorcycles on a Mission
One hundred engines slung between two hundred wheels. That is what the Ride For Dad (RFD) will look like Saturday, June 8, when riders take
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “THE BIG RACE “
THE BIG RACE I SNOWSHOE RACED AT FT McPHERSON AND I’M A FIT AND HEALTHY PERSON. THEY TOOK THE LEAD ‘CAUSE THEY HAD THE SPEED.
Didee & Didoo – Poem “THE BIG RACE “ Read More »
African, French and Japanese Groups Showcase Their Culture
They are not always featured in history books, but since the Klondike Gold Rush people of many ethnic backgrounds have called the Yukon home. On
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Healing and Transformation: Ravenstail Weaving
“A woman needs to have an art form,” says Tlingit Tutchone master weaver. she’ll pass art of weaving to a generation of First Nations women
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Best Coach”
BEST COACH DIDOO WAS THE BEST COACH ‘CAUSE SHE HAD THE WINNING APPROACH. SHE SHOWED ME HOW TO RUN ON SNOWSHOES AN’ SHE NEVER TAUGHT
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Best Coach” Read More »
Barbecued Buffalo Burgers
BBQ season is upon us and Buffalo Burgers are a great way to get started. Looking for something different to throw on the grill, a
Barbecued Buffalo Burgers Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Bushman”
The Bushman The Brushman had a lonely life, so he went out lookin’ for a wife. He built a birchbark canoe, a canoe built for
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A Sternwheeler Ride Through History
The next time you find yourself spinning around the traffic circle at the bottom of Robert Service Way, you may want to try that offshoot
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Patrol”
The Patrol In December of 1910, a patrol of four policemen, with four-dog team, a routine patrol it seems. They would not return, everyone would
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Social Riding; Klondike Style
Motorcycle riders are often solitary sorts. We like the time we spend with ourselves on the road. It is a sort of meditation: no radio,
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Mayo Campground Has the One Thing Kids Look For
MAYO 5 Mile Lake in Mayo doesn’t have a campground playground. Not right in the campground, mind you, but there is one down the short
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Start with a Rainbow Stocked Lake
I know there are many in the Yukon who have an interest in fishing but don’t know where to start. Fishing can be intimidating and
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Cotton Candy Flesh Fly (Cone head)
Salmon flesh flies are great flies for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and char. Even salmon will hit a flesh fly. There should be a variety
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Virtual Village: Personal Websites
A family or personal website was once an oddity. Now, they are a common practice and easy to set up and maintain. A personal website
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Keeping the Stories Alive
Tammy Lee Josie first performed her family’s Vuntut Gwitchin stories at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Feeding Time”
FEEDING TIME MY POODLE ATE NOODLES. THAT SPIDER ATE APPLE CIDER. MY DOGS ATE FROGS. THOSE APES ATE GRAPES. MY GOATS ATE OATS. THAT OTTER
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The Tent: A True Survival Item
If you are interested in sheep-hunting or high country backpacking, then your tent may be the most important item you will ever own. Suffer through
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The Controversial Three Letter Word
We use the word “the” to indicate when something is distinct.This may be why we have used the word “the” in “the Yukon”
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New Beginnings
It was warm for opening day of the season but I was not going to complain. My dad, Spike, and I sat in the only
There’s a party goin’ on!
Here’s a taste of how Yukon communities, from B to W, will be celebrating Canada Day on July 1: Beaver Creek festivities will kick off
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Singles group enjoying success
Simonne Chalifoux is well on her way to becoming an expert on the single scene in Whitehorse. As the founder/organizer/host/everything else of the Whitehorse Singles
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Eliza Steamboat”
Eliza Steamboat I never knew where she got her name, but from Old Crow she came. She lived to be very old, and her cane
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Historic and Friendly Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is just a few kilometres from the Alaska border on the Alaska Highway. As the most westerly settlement in all of Canada, this
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Small Town, Big Arts Festival
MAYO The Village of Mayo, named most astutely after a certain Alfred H. Mayo, one-time circus acrobat, is hosting, for the fifth year in a
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Discovery Days and the Underwear Cannon
It always amazes me what northerners will do to prove they are unique and unlike people from Outside. See the Discovery Day long weekend.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Bishop who ate his mukluks”
The Bishop who ate his mukluks, was almost out of lucks. Bishop Stringer and his guide, set out across the Rat River Divide. From Fort
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Home, created one piece at a time
I want to spend my life with you Don’t want to live all alone I can’t conceive of the years left in me Without you
Home, created one piece at a time Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “GWICH’IN GATHERING”
GWICH’IN GATHERING I’M PROUD TO BE A GWITCHIN FROM OLD CROW, YUKON A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL LAUGH WITH DICK NUKON. YOU’LL LISTEN TO FUNNY
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From Community TV to National TV
When you hear the name Maximum Limit Fishing, you might expect the same old fishing show. But this is not the case for the Northwest
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How to Cook a Meal in a Pit
Yukon is blessed with many pea-gravel beaches surrounding our lakes. These locations are perfect for pit-cooking. It is a bit of effort to dig out
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “UNCLE’S ENGLISH”
UNCLE’S ENGLISH IF YOU HEAR UNCLE SPEAK HIS ENGLISH IS VERY WEAK HE DON’T LIKE TO TALK RIGHT AN’ THAT’S THE WAY HE WRITE. WHEN
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Atlin Festival Keeps Growing
Busy, hectic and crazy like always,” says Rick Newberry bluntly when asked how preparation is going for this summer’s Atlin Arts and Music Festival. “It’s
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “David”
My friend, David, is a good mechanic, and he likes to eat dry meat and bannock. On Old Crow Mountain he has a tent, so
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Federal Campground is Nice, Too
HAINES JUNCTION There are numerous campgrounds in and around Haines Junction. Your YTG Campground permit will let you camp at most of them … but
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Simple Mouse Fly
Mouse flies are often used for pike, inconnue, muskie, bass and large trout with many different patterns available. A lot of these patterns come with
Fly Brooch Pin
To create a brooch pin, I have chosen a fly that has worked very well for me on Pacific salmon in Alaska. This Black Laced
The nations of the Yukon celebrated
A long time ago, Deb Jutra was at the T&M Hotel when a visitor said to her, “This is amazing, I see seven different cultures
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Burrito Business is Booming
Ray Mazurak was studying at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver when the idea of owning and operating his own portable food stand first
Burrito Business is Booming Read More »
Stop and Get to Know the Northern Tutchone
PELLY CROSSING For the past four years, as the executive director of the Yukon Historical & Museums Association, I have visited the museums repeatedly to
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Northern Romance, May 2, 2013
Q: There is this woman I have known for a few years now and I know she is single. I asked her out for coffee
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “My Mom”
My Mom is from Old Crow, and she is a pro. She was ski champion in 1963, it was natural for her to ski. Father
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Culture Shock”
CULTURE SHOCK MOSES HAD A CULTURE SHOCK HE HAD ‘CAUSE KICKER MADE HIM GAWK. CLARA HAD A CULTURE SHOCK WHEN SHE HEARD ROCK. AMPOS HAD A
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Raven, raven on my roof”
Raven, raven on my roof, how you make it rattle. You’d think your claws were little hoofs as back and forth you prattle. All winter
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A Land of Ancient Time
When I was eight years old, I attended the Carcross Community School. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Carcross School. Meeting the other students
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Virtual Village: The Support Crunch
Some colleges and universities have closed or scaled down their information technology programs. In the Yukon, for example, we went from having a full, stand-alone, two-year diploma to a collaborative program where the teaching is shared through four colleges.
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Klondike Road Relay Popular As Ever
Be warned: if you are travelling along the Klondike Highway on the evening of Sept. 5 or into the wee hours of Sept. 6, you
Klondike Road Relay Popular As Ever Read More »
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Joe and Annie Henry”
Joe and Annie Henry were married over 80 years, which means for each other they really cares. A record which made it in the world
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Artrepreneur: Cutouts and Curious George
Whimsy, angst and wit play in Joseph Tisiga’s drawings for the show Indigenous Incisions — or an Indigenous Ambivalence of the Abandoned Modern Man —
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A Cure for Those Camping Time Blues
Whether it’s the weather or the yard work, some commitment on the weekend or the fact that you have family coming to visit in a
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Sawmill”
We used to play at the sawmill, sliding on the sawdust hill. When their work was done, it was our turn to have fun. When
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Granny’s Money”
Granny’s Money When her cheque she got, my Granny is big shot. Granny didn’t know how to count, but she sure knew her cheque amount.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Wilfred Charlie”
Wilfred Charlie is his name, and dog mushing is his game. He comes from Carmacks, where you’ll see his dog team tracks. Behind his dog
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Variety Is The Spice Of Francophone Film Festival
Le secteur culturel de l’Association franco-yukonnaise is bringing north some of the greatest cinematographic creations of the year in the world of francophone film, Canadian
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Lost Tribe”
LOST TRIBE There’s a story told about a lost tribe, let’s sit down and let Grandpa describe. He told us of the place they were
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Warm As Tea
Dang. I thought I was early. Practically the whole class is here already, heads bowed over their work. I look at the clock. It’s only
She’s not eighteen and scared anymore
I’m back at Lil’s, slurping on another old-fashioned chocolate milkshake. There’s a family in the next booth talking to a young woman at a table.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Darius”
“Darius” He’s a Gwitch’in athlete, who likes to compete. His name is Darius, and he’s very serious. He’s a pro, from Old Crow. He threw
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “CALVING GROUNDS”
“CALVING GROUNDS” We must protect the calving grounds, so that oil rigs and pipelines are out of bounds. It’s the cleanest place on Earth, where
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Grocery shopping can be fun
The cheery fire warmed Misty as she curled up in front of the fireplace while our Midnight Sun Muleskinner-blend coffee warmed our insides. Talk among
Grocery shopping can be fun Read More »
Risking Life to Fulfil a Calling
“Not well, she’s shell shocked and very concerned, incredibly concerned.” That is how Kevin Rumsey describes his wife’s reaction when he informed her that he
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The Stubborn Paradox of Mark Prins
On the corner of the building at Third and Black, there is an office with no sign above the door. On a quick scan you
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The many faces of a Yukoner
The first Yukoner I ever met was Rodger Thorlakson. It was 19 years ago and I was two days “Inside”. Sure, I met other people
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Where the Talk is Cheap … Fun
“Sure, go ahead and laugh. You may think I’m joking, but … my tongue is insured.” I suppose, since she claims to be the world’s
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Grandma and Grandpa”
Their names are Didee an’ Didoo, Grandpa an’ Grandma for me an’ you. Their pipes they’re always smokin’, and their English is broken. Didoo is
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Bill Smith”
BILL SMITH His name is Bill Smith, and Tabitha he stay with. She was his Gwitch’in wife, and they like the bush life. Bill was
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Long Guns”
“LONG GUNS” Long guns they used to make, so more beaver pelts they would take. Beaver pelts were piled high, so that long guns they
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Portraits of Clay
Harreson Tanner and his wife drove up to the Yukon from Vancouver in the summer of 2002. It rained all they way up, but once
Supporting the Economy Through the Arts
Supporting the Economy Through the Arts You could expect a 10-years lifespan from mining projects, and Hakonson is well aware that placer miners have been
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Expiry Date”
We all know our birth date, but when will we go to St. Peter’s gate? So I often think and wonder, when I’ll be six
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Freddy Carmichael”
Freddy Carmichael When he was a small boy, he had a plane for a toy. When he was a young lad, a big dream he
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Musical Theatre in Dawson is the Cat’s Meow
Jack Amos is not an ordinary 11-year-old boy. He is producing, directing, choreographing and scripting his own production of Jellicle Cats, which will premiere in
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How to Avoid Tempting Hungry Bears to Your Home
This bear checking out the snack-potential within a hummingbird feeder shows their amazing sense of smell; by Nicole Tattam A new community-based wildlife organization is
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Dare Devil”
DARE DEVIL YOU WANTED US TO FALL SO YOU SOLD US ALCOHOL. YOU KNEW WE’D FALL BEHIND SO YOU POURED US THAT WINE. YOU MADE
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Home-Made Trail Snacks
Fruit Leather is a chewy fruit roll or bar made by blending and drying fresh fruit into a leathery consistency. If it is kept cool
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Bi-‘Sicles Built for Two
BY DAN DAVIDSON Two months trapped in the cold, ironically chained to this post, snow-ploughed up to the axles, rimed with forty-below hoar frost, two
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Feeding Spirits, Not Just Stomachs
The thing about chefs is that they can work almost anywhere. Because of this, cooking is an ideal job for the restless spirits among us.
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Virtual Village: Identity Theft, Part 2
Let’s consider what to do if you think your identity has been stolen and how to reduce the chance of that happening. The first step
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Celebrating the Return of the Swans
Thinking spring? Think birds. A great way to do both is at the popular Celebration of Swans festival getting underway this weekend. Swan viewing, talks,
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Names”
NAMES PEOPLE HAVE ALL KINDS OF NAMES JUST LIKE MY FRIEND JAMES. SOME NAMES ARE FANCY JUST LIKE MY FRIEND NANCY. MY SON’S NAME IS
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Warm Feet, Happy Feet
Everyone has had cold feet ruin or at least negatively impact an otherwise great day. Our feet are some distance away from our body heat
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An Aishihik Family Fishing Tradition
There are many reasons why Yukoners enjoy fishing. I believe my passion for fishing started with a positive experience on the water with my Dad.
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Bicycle Parts Reborn as Art
Philippe’s Bicycle Repair occupies a modest little house on Wood Street. The front yard is filled with many bike parts, but they are not strewn
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A Journey That Began With Press and Politics
Flo Whyard was born in 1917, in London, Ontario, and grew up in a family of newspapermen and political junkies. Her father sat in the
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Re-imagining the value system
I was watching one of the Sunday-morning news shows and heard something that crystallized, in my mind, what is wrong with the financial sector. A
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Savouring Good Times of Food and Fellowship
Above Antoinette’s Food Cache is a sign that proclaims it to be an “International Slow Food Restaurant”. In a culture that often idolizes speed, such
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Taking Medicine to New Heights
Cambridge medical students are expected to be well-schooled in the art of social climbing, but Peter Steele, who studied medicine at the University of Cambridge,
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A Yukon Welcome to the Nations
At first glance it’s difficult to know whether the large yellow beast is a dragon or a lion. Upon further inspection, looking closely at the
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Getting Kids out of Pyjamas and into Ice Fishing
To a large extent, the past four months have featured long stretches of bone-chilling temperatures, blustery weekends and mind-numbing wind chill. After a few weeks
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Didee & Didoo – Poem”MEL (BUSH PILOT) “
MEL (BUSH PILOT) THIS STORY I WOULD LIKE TO TELL ABOUT OUR FRIEND MEL. HE HAD SMART BRAINS ‘CAUSE HE FLEW BUSH PLANES. MEL WAS
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Enjoying Frankenweenie, Together
Movie season has ended at the Dawson City Museum for another year. The last show was Lincoln, which played to reasonably sized audiences in late
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Virtual Village: Identity Theft
A statistical trend that receives little appreciation is that crime rates in Canada have been declining steadily for more than 20 years. There are exceptions,
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Klondike History Is Alive and Well
On Phyllis (LePage) Simpson’s coffee table is a stack of books on the history of the Yukon River. When she reads them, it is not
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The ‘Crazy Uncle’ of CKRW
When Keith Ellert graduated from the Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio program at SAIT, in Calgary, he had dreams of being a “shock jock”.
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Reflections on the Changing Season
BY DAN DAVIDSON We’ve been dodging round these puddles now for just about a week, and it’s hard to find the streets these days for
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Get Off the Couch and into the Wilderness
When Whitehorse was re-branded The Wilderness City it made me think of all the activities and events that are held here annually. As a director
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “My Alphabet”
MY ALPHABET A IS FOR AWESOME B IS FOR BEAUTIFUL C IS FOR CHARMING D IS FOR DELIGHTFUL E IS FOR EXSQUISITE F IS FOR
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The Yukon is One, Big, Public Garden
I don’t remember the first time I went birdwatching as an adult, but I know that it started when I was just a kid. Watching
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Friendships Forged by (but Not Limited by) Time
Between 1968 and 1978, the Cassiar Asbestos Corporation ran a small mining community called Clinton Creek, about 60 miles northwest of Dawson City. The far-flung
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The folly of a four-day workweek
I watched the city worker dump my garbage into that “trash compactor on wheels” and I found myself wondering: Does he get to work four
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Beautifying Your Space
Deanna Slonski has always had a flair for interior design. “My parents owned a furniture and appliance store when I was a kid,” she says.
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Firearm Care for Cold Weather
A rifle or shotgun is a tool used to help put meat in the freezer. Like all tools, a firearm needs a little TLC so
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “News from Old Crow”
NEWS FROM OLD CROW DECEMBER IS ALWAYS BUSY IT MAKES SOME OF US DIZZY. CHRISTMAS MUSIC WE HEAR SO WE KNOW HOLIDAY IS NEAR. THE
Didee & Didoo – Poem “News from Old Crow” Read More »
Virtual Village: Your Digital Legacy
When people go on trips they go online and research hotels, tours, airline prices, and things to see and do when abroad. However, from a
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The Mad Trapper Didn’t Wear Tubbs
A friend of mine turned 30 on the weekend and to celebrate, about a dozen of us hiked into Rainbow Lake, 20 kilometres south of
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Northern Romance, March 21, 2013
A Northerner’s Spring Horoscope: The days are getting longer, the sun is shining and spring is in the air. If you are in a relationship
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “DAGOO FOLLOWED THE BIRDS”
DAGOO FOLLOWED THE BIRDS THE GWICHIN LEGEND IS VERY OLD ABOUT THE MAN WHO DISLIKED THE COLD. HE WONDERED WHERE THE BIRDS GO WHEN IT
Didee & Didoo – Poem “DAGOO FOLLOWED THE BIRDS” Read More »
2013 Thaw Di Gras Explodes with Festivities
What is Dawson City‘s answer to the winter blues? The Thaw Di Gras spring carnival, a three-day event from March 15-17. The Klondike Visitors Association
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A Successful Weekend of Races
The Mount Lorne Classic; what an awesome ski race. On trails used by caribou as much as any skier, the course was fast and winding.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “CHON-FM “
CHON-FM LIKE THE REST OF THEM I LISTEN TO CHON-FM. IT’S OUR RADIO STATION FOR OUR FIRST NATION. SONGS FROM WAY BACK WHEN THEY’RE ALL
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Virtual Village: How Secure are Tablets?
Tablets are on the rise. They are touch-screen based devices that are smaller, more portable and more convenient than a desktop computer. The first commercially
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Sleeping Outdoors
Trappers and dog mushers have always slept out in the cold and with a few exceptions have done well. I got my start in occasionally
Didee & Didoo – Poem “WILDLIFE ALPHABET”
WILDLIFE ALPHABET MARTEN BEAVER CARIBOU DUCKS EAGLE FALCON GROUSE HAWK MINK JACKFISH KING SALMON LOON MOOSE SNIPE OTTER PORCUPINE SQUIRREL RABBIT SEAGULL TERN MUSCRAT RAVEN
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Dawson Looks After Those in Need
Food banks often start with the churches, which are acting out their faith’s instructions to look after the poor. In Dawson, the Transients’ Dinners that
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A Sign of the Times
One conversation can change everything. Now, thanks to the services of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter Amanda Smith, the gulf of silence between members of
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Rendezvous 101
Canuck Chuck Lands Difficult “Job” Wrangling a bevy of beautiful can-can dancers and introducing them to the world is a tough job, but Canuck Chuck,
Virtual Village: How Safe is Online Shopping?
Since the inception of e-commerce about 15 years ago, there have been many myths regarding its safety. Online shopping and banking are extremely useful, particularly
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “HOT SPELL”
HOT SPELL YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT YOUR WINTER CLOTHES AN’ YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR NOSE. YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR SEAT AND YOU WON’T FREEZE YOUR
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It Takes a Village
As nine-year-old Alexis Crystal Jim focuses on picking up a brilliant blue bead with her sewing needle and fastening it to a piece of hide,
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Discovering a Rich Cultural Heritage
Colleen Potter has an infectious smile that can put even the most-guarded person at ease. It’s a smile that doesn’t fade when she begins to
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Keeping His Culture Strong
Daniel Tlen sang our national anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The event was viewed by one of the
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Helping Leaders Lead
On May 22 and 24, Whitehorse is hosting the annual International Toastmasters Conference, which has delegates coming to the Yukon from as far away as
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What’s in a Birdsong?
Now is the time to really tune in to what birds are singing. June is when the numbers of Yukon migratory species – the warblers,
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Dropping into Pumphouse Lake
It is that time of year again: birds chirping, weeds growing, bugs stirring, and the sun is providing much-needed nutrients and oxygen for life. The
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t’s a Birdfest!
Want to have some fun outdoors? Like birds but can’t tell the difference between a crow and a raven? Then think about taking part in
A Vision Ignited by Love for the Yukon
Bob Van Dijken is a man of deep convictions and strong opinions, but what’s odd is the way he expresses them. Amid the barrage of
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Faro fetes its 40th
Faro turns 40 on July 1. When you’re a mining town with no mine, every anniversary is special. But this one is more so.
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June 2009 – Watson Lake turns 25
The Yukon’s Gateway, Watson Lake, turns 25 years old this weekend. And, to celebrate, the town’s residents will be throwing a carnival in Wye Lake
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Even For the Yukon, This Office is Wild
Few people have the good fortune to be interrupted at their computer by the thunderous sound of two muskox butting heads. Then again, I don’t
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Artrepreneur: Hunter, Dentist, Artist, Priest
Beautiful portraits of the people and dogs of Colville Lake, NWT, encircle the Yukon Arts Centre Community Gallery. Arctic Journal was put together by Deb
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The Intimacy of Live Performance
When you talk about “The Theatre”, these days, it is inevitable that certain eyes will glaze and certain minds will wander. It’s old and out
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Happy Anniversary, Faro!
When the world thinks of Canada, they think of the Yukon. When Yukoners think of the Yukon, they think of Faro. When the world is
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Larger than Life: The ‘King of Keno’
Pat McKenna takes a cook’s tour of famous, infamous and soon-to-be-famous Yukon chefs. An unassuming hero amongst the locals, a font of Northern knowledge for
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Sign On for the Great Backyard Bird Count
Yukoners are invited to join people from throughout North America and the world in search of birds this weekend as part of the Great Backyard
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How to Make a Tender Dish Out of Tough Meat
They say that with a big bull bison even the gravy is tough. If you are in possession of such an animal you may have
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The Feisty Kingfisher Is (Mostly) a Good Luck Sign for Paddlers
You’ve probably heard the expression, “halcyon days”: it defines the calm, restful time of summer that we finally have laid claim to. The word halcyon
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If There are Babies, It Must Be Spring
Anticipation is the only word to describe spring at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. There is anticipation for our school programs, anticipation for the summer season
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Fishing the Hidden Lakes Assembly Line
It struck me, as I sat down on a log, that I had not stopped moving for the last 45 minutes. I was finally seated
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Yukon Past and Present
Bold strokes of the present, intriguing photographs of the past: two new shows at Arts Underground offer you the Yukon in stereo. Simon Gilpin displays
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “So Much To Do”
SO MUCH TO DO YOU WON’T GET BORED IF YOU LEARN A GUITAR CHORD. YOU CAN SNOWSHOE OR YOU CAN CANOE. YOU CAN BIKE OR
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Northern Romance, February 14, 2013
Q: What should I do if I don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day? –Dateless on Donjek Charlie Says: Count your blessings Dateless. Valentine’s Day
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Almost Everybody Knows One
It seems almost everybody knows an O’Donovan. Some of us know nine or 10 of them. All told, there are 11 siblings and they tend
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The cozy, friendly music festival
The intimate “anti-stadium” music festival, that is the Atlin Arts & Music Festival, has gotten even smaller this year, July 10 to 12. The performing
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Juneau and the Chain-Throwing Hills
Plastic bags cover my feet to keep out the rain and the spray from my tires. My chain slips off the sprocket, again, unable to
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The Little Subdivision That Thought It Could
The Coppermoon Gallery is buzzing. Prospective customers peruse the walls, looking at exquisite Yukon art, a woodworker presents a scaled replica of a new sign
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Whitehorse Dating Scene: Hairy, Mysterious, Limited…
Someone recently told my lover, “In Whitehorse you don’t lose your girlfriend, you lose your turn.” It’s a pithy summary of the dating experience in
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An Inspirational Elder: Alex Van Bibber
One could easily write a page-turning book about the life and accomplishments of outfitter, trapper, residential school survivor and honoured veteran Alex Van Bibber. I
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Food Chain”
FOOD CHAIN I THINK WE’RE AT THE TOP ALTHOUGH WE DON’T HOP. THEN THERE’S THE GRIZZLY BEAR AN’ THEY DON’T HAVE NO FEAR. NEXT THERE’S
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The Double Bob is a Dawson Tradition
John Tyrrell, a former Dawsonite now living in Cyprus, where he is Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia, writes to say that the anglophiles
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Cold Rush”
COLD RUSH IN THE SUMMER THE MOSQUITOS WILL BITE IN THE WINTER THE FROST WILL BITE. WHEN YOU GO TO THE OUTHOUSE YOU WEAR YOUR
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Sharing the Tlingit culture
TESLIN Many years ago, when another winter was survived and summer allowed for easier travel, the Inland and Coastal Tlingit people would gather. Members of
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Tasting Tagish
Pat McKenna takes a cook’s tour of famous, infamous and soon-to-be-famous Yukon chefs. Café, motel, RV park, store and more – Tagish Stores is serving
Respite on the Road
It is amazing how a day can change. It was Friday night of a Discovery Day weekend and I was pretty upset … relationship issues.
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All for the Love of a …
My husband moved to Whitehorse for Jesse … I like to think it was for me, but it wasn’t. Her beautiful black hair, her obvious
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Carlos & Cloe: A Friendship ‘Preserved’
Juan Ruiz decided to give the new baby elk at Yukon Wildlife Preserve a very exotic name. Carlos, the three-week-old calf, came to the preserve
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A Tinsmith Who Creates Community
Rick Griffiths just returned from a vacation in Saskatchewan where he visited many old friends. “There wasn’t a place I visited where I wasn’t given
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The ‘End’
It was the ears that came first. The inordinately large ears peeked up from the meadow just as I was about to turn the corner.
Fishing Comfortably with ‘The Boys’
If you read this fishing column, you know I have two boys, now aged five and seven, with whom I try to go out fishing.
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What’s in a Name?
In The Yukon, certain family names loom large in our post-gold-rush era: “Van Bibber” is one such handle. Geraldine Van Bibber is one of the
To the Beat of a Northern Bakery
Pat McKenna takes a cook’s tour of famous, infamous and soon-to-be-famous Yukon chefs. With dancing, folk singing and lots of great music entertainment, the Village
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Measuring-up to Yukon Pike
We are fortunate in the Yukon that we can simply throw the rods in the car, the canoe on the roof and within an hour
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Time to Talk ‘Antlers’
A few weeks ago, we participated in Parks Day at the S.S. Klondike. It was a great day and a lot of fun. There was
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Getting Up-Close and Personal with Birds
Bird observatories offer a close-up look at fall migration. Searching for a bird in the bush? Why not try a bird in the hand. With
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The Importance of a Fishing Buddy
I find that the scheming usually starts on Wednesday … It is either an e-mail sent casually from work or an unexpected encounter in our
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Kerr-razy for Taste
Pat McKenna takes a cook’s tour of famous, infamous and soon-to-be famous Yukon chefs. Featured today is Mary-El Kerr of Whitehorse. Mary-El Kerr, owner and
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Raked Over the Coals
If you like to camp in comfort and enjoy a challenge, take a Dutch oven. Breads, bannock, cinnamon buns, upside-down-cake, succulent meats and baked fish
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Acting Out Her Passion
Sometimes people stumble upon their passions accidentally; such is the case with Sophia Marnik. After studying to become a teacher at McGill University, she came
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hope”
HOPE DON’T EVER SAY NOPE ‘CAUSE THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE. EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOAP YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE HOPE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE BUG DOPE
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In Praise of Do-it-Yourself Culture
I am a “DIYer.” I like making things for myself, family and friends. My kit includes wool, paper, stickers and beads. Books and magazines give
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A Fitting Tribute (Clothed or Not)
In the summers between my years at the University of Lethbridge I would work at the Yukon Transportation Museum (YTM). I sold trinkets in the
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ODD Art
What would bring people into a local, northern art gallery in the middle of January? This was the question facing the Dawson City Arts Society
Dressing for the Cold
Wearing high quality brands certainly helps, but the real key to staying warm in winter is dressing in layers with the ability to vent off
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Who Goes There?
In the summer I am forever identifying wild flowers, but in the winter it’s animal tracks. For me identifying animal tracks is a little simpler,
Didee & Didoo – Poem “TOUGHEST GWICHIN”
TOUGHEST GWICHIN SHE WAS AS TOUGH AS ROCKS MY GREATGRANDMA MARGARET BLACKFOX. SHE WAS THE TOUGHEST GWICHIN ‘CAUSE ANY RACE SHE CAN WIN. DIDOO DOESN’T
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An Icon in Yukon History
If it’s true that artists force a culture to come to terms with itself, then few people have helped define the Yukon more than Jim
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Experiencing the North on Skis
In the early 1980s when Mike Gladish was working for the Canadian Weather Office, in Edmonton, he was given a choice between taking a job
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Digging Deep for Yukon Lake Trout
If you are like me, when you pull into the drive-through for a Tim Hortons coffee, you take note of the boats sitting in the
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Work that Satisfies
I love being busy. I like to wake up in the morning knowing that there are many projects I could work on. I even like
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Walls Can Talk: 609 Strickland Street … Then and Now
Sitting in the dining room, at 609 Strickland Street, I visualize the house as it was when Bob Jacobs lived here as a child. This
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Volare by Antoinette: The symphony
Have you ever returned from a restaurant and just felt … satisfied? It would have been a night when the ambiance was comfortable, the service
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‘On a Retreat’, but Not Retreating
Florian Lemphers sits on the back porch of his Lake Laberge home. This vantage point offers a glorious view of the lake and the fall
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All About Oreamnos americanus
I have been learning about mountain goats, lately. For instance, mountain goats, Oreamnos americanus, are not goats at all, but relatives of antelope. OK, I
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Places That Are ‘Found’
My favourite places in the Yukon are obscure … they are not found in guidebooks, websites, during tours or by pestering a long-time local long
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Walls Can Talk: A Moving Story, 701 Cook Street
“I did the work in a consciousness manner and not with the idea of cutting corners,” Michele Silvestri wrote me from his home in Langley,
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Fulfilling a Childhood Dream
As a young biologist and a newly married husband, the Yukon offered Dave Mossop a chance to combine these recent developments in his life. “[Grace
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The Icing on the Season
BY DAN DAVIDSON There are signs of seasons changing that we all can recognize: falling leaves and boarded windows, filled with plywood cut to size.??Hotels
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Welcome Visitors of the ‘Non-Human’ Variety
Recently, I was sitting at my desk when a red fox paused outside of my window. Just near the edge of the decking, he rather
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The Flare of the Yukon
Don’t get me wrong, Whitehorse is great: I love Canadian Tire and sushi, but there is an air of excitement and freedom when living in
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Winter Wonder at the Preserve
Secretly, I am a little bit excited that the snow has arrived. True, this will be my first full winter in Whitehorse, so it may
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Did They Just Wave?
If you’ve spent some time in the Yukon, you’ve probably noticed the Yukon is full of “wavers”. This phenomena is particularly evident in the communities,
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Nothing ‘Average’ About It
It nearly happened: I nearly described my job as normal – average, even. I was asked this week what’s going on at the Preserve. For
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The ‘Grid Siphon’
A robust breed that turns their backs on running (hot) water, limitless electricity, indoor plumbing, & mechanical laundry. Not Gridless Sid.
Mac Underground
Marlene Collins wants Arts Underground to be more than a place for artists to show their art or to take or teach a course. She
Telling People’s Stories
It is an odd position for Sandi Coleman to be in. On this particular afternoon, as she sits in a local café and sips on
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From the Middle East, to the Maritimes, to the Yukon
My eyes were closed as my teeth rested in the juicy, flavourful shawarma. It was beautifully spiced and juicy meat, wrapped in a warm pita
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The Little Grocery That Could [And Did]
Sometime near the end of October, I was making pumpkin soup with a friend of mine. There was one missing ingredient: fish sauce. We meticulously
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‘Tis the Season
It’s that time of year when you forecast your fuel/wood needs and size up your supply. Some may feel comfort, eyeing up their abundant stacks
The Yokel Goes to Whitehorse
Restraining my metropolis desires in Whitehorse can be hard. Community members aren’t privileged with many urban opportunities, so when I get together in the “WH”
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I’ve Heard So Much About You…
Gossip is everlasting in all small towns, but in small-town Yukon it is constant, like time itself. I grew up in a provincial small town
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When a Moose Waits…
Rocky was waiting for me. For three days in a row, Rocky, one of our moose bulls, was waiting. To put this into perspective, I
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The Snowplough Went By at Noon Today
??BY DAN DAVIDSON The snowplough went by at noon today; I think it’ll go by again. The reason I think this is plain to the
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Yukon ‘Duck’ Fishing
It was chilly morning at the far south end of Teslin Lake that mid-August morning, a reminder that it was going to be an early
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Walls Can Talk: Transforming 403 Lowe Street
From a little shack in “Sleepy Hollow”, to 403 Lowe Street, the house we see today has been transformed. The land was titled in 1960.
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A Filipina’s Journey to the Yukon
Vangie Ramirez wears a warm smile on her face and she laughs a lot. It is not a naïve or childish laugh; rather, it seems
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Nicole Edwards: Singing in Sustenance
“I’ve loved singing since I was a little girl.” says Edwards “I remember singing on the back of my mother’s bike, on the swing set”
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Thailand on the Yukon River
From my seat, I could see a toboggan hill, trees, mountains and blue sky. Not such a bad view for my lunch in the middle
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Living on ‘Yukon Time’ (diesel optional)
Yukon Time, it is a way of viewing time as more of a guideline than a policy or law. A relaxed physiological perception of time itself
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Memories ‘Preserved’
As we approach the holidays and the new year, I find myself spending more time reflecting on the past 12 months. I think we are
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Wouldn’t it be Great if”
Wouldn’t It Be Great if WE GREW A NEW SET OF TEETH. WE COULD SEE IN THE DARK. WE COULD SEE AROUND CORNERS. ANIMALS COULD
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Budget meals for backpacking
I haven’t had any freeze-dried back-packing meals for a long time. They may have changed, but I always found them to be very expensive with
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Friday Nights are Bombay Nights in Dawson City
Not many people know that an annual winter tradition in Dawson City started seven years ago as a joke. In 2006, Bombay Peggy’s, a popular
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “News from Old Crow”
News From Old Crow DECEMBER IS ALWAYS BUSY IT MAKES SOME OF US DIZZY. CHRISTMAS MUSIC WE HEAR SO WE KNOW HOLIDAY IS NEAR. THE
Didee & Didoo – Poem “News from Old Crow” Read More »
A Journey Inspired by Jack London
As a young girl, growing up in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Ruth Armson was an avid reader. She read whatever she could, but the selection
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Would you Listen to a non-‘iceologist’?
Is the ice safe? A common question this time year. Memories of falling through ditch ice, as a child, come back … or hearing of
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Calling for the Count
Birders throughout the Western Hemisphere are gearing up for the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count. And you can, too. The one-day census, carried out on
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Sandor Istvan Elek: Energetic Entrepreneur
Sandor Istvan Elek , founder of Sandor’s Clothing Ltd, was considered a bit of an outsider when he arrived in Whitehorse, but very quickly gained
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Ghost Stories Creep from Street to Street
Ghost stories are one kind of conversation that sticks with you, often in unexpected ways. There are so many stories about hauntings at the Palace
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Artrepreneur: For the Young at ‘Art
There’s a gorgeous new gallery in town. You climb the stairs at the back of Triple J’s Music’s new location, past a potter’s wheel, past
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Muskrat and Beaver Story”
Muskrat and Beaver Story This story is from a long time ago when Muskrat an’ Beaver met at Old Crow. Beaver was swimming up the
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Olympic Torch”
Allan Benjamin is a cartoonist from Old Crow, Yukon. Olympic Torch The big day was November fourth, when the Olympic Torch came North. It came
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Life #2 Will Be Warmer Than My New Zero
I knew it was going to be cold over night, but -47°C shattered the previous personal record by a few degrees. It was extra-hard getting
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Cooking Up Options for Fish this Winter
We have all settled into our winter routines. Perhaps it is shuttling your kids back and forth from the hockey rink routine; maybe it is
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Flooding Our Way to a River Crossing
While “flooding” and “Dawson City” are two phrases you might not want to hear together, at this time of year it’s actually a good thing.
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A word (or two) about What’s Up Yukon
With not one, but two new editors now in harness at What’s Up Yukon, our loyal readers may be wondering what that means and how
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The Lives of Maryhouse
In 1954, Earle Smith arrived in Whitehorse. He came with the RCAF and was stationed here for a number of years. He left the territory
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Tarot: A Tool for Truth
When Ellen Brian talks, she looks you in the eye. She speaks in well-constructed sentences and, when she finds something funny, she laughs naturally. Brian
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French Toast: Crazy November
Here comes November, a month full of events for the Francophone community. The big news is the recent accessibility of the Coup de Coeur program
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Self Esteem”
Self Esteem If you have low self esteem, it will be hard to dream. So don’t think of yourself, like a little elf. Don’t keep
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Fast and Friendly
Small towns are different than cities in many ways, which includes how one interacts with fellow community members. People get nestled into their relatively small
Nostalgia for Rendezvous Past
The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous began in 1945. The prime feature of the festival was the colourful dog races made up of working dogs owned by
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He’s a Real Everywhere Man
Dean Eyre sits on a stool in the middle of his newly purchased bike shop on Wood Street. A man as passionate as Eyre deserves
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The Community That Sings Together
The community that sings together … My personal songbook is getting bigger every month. That’s thanks to the energy of a departed Dawsonite educator, named
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Squeezing in an Ice Fish
I won’t lie to you, it has been really tough getting out ice-fishing this winter. With Taekwondo, piano and downhill skiing, the weekends are just
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Dead Planet vs. Tolerable Winters
Rhythmic drips from the roof flash by the window, something other than the raven calling in the morning, and the occasional whiff of thawed soil.
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A Welcome for Yukon Birds
The Yukon’s swans are returning earlier than usual to M’Clintock Bay at Marsh Lake and other open water areas. The annual Celebration of Swans officially
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Old Fashioned”
OLD FASHIONED Maybe it’s just his passion, but Uncle is just old fashioned. I can’t say Uncle is wrong, but in this age he doesn’t
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Outside the Lines
Brushy hard edges, soft edges of colour flowing into one another; bold graphite squiggles, brushed plonks of colour that hover above the rest in their
Protecting our fine feathered friends
Who among us hasn’t, at one time or another, gazed upon a bird in flight and marvelled at it … or even wondered what it
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The Marvelous Tale of Musher McHugh
There are strange things done on the Percy run when the mushers hit the trail. There are tales that are told of the ice and
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Thank You, Yukon!
What a terrific day! It was another one of these fabulous spring-like days we’ve been having. The mountains were covered with snow, the sky was
Didee & Didoo – Poem “Eskimos”
Eskimos Eskimo people are tough, they live on the Earth above. Where trees don’t grow, their home is the land of snow. Eskimos use ulus,
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Coffee with a Little Dubbing
Yukoners love their coffee. Any weekday morning at 10, you can guarantee we are ordering our special Bean North blend, a double-double from Tim Hortons
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Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs
Next week (March 25 to 27), we’re going to have the second instalment of last year’s popular Doors Open Dawson event, in which locals and
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Mount Maichen Ski Hill: A Tradition of Kindness
I was disturbed to see a local writer publicly disapproving of how the Mount Maichen Ski Hill is operated. Her article depicts this hill as
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Police”
Police Their job is to keep the peace, that’s why we have police. They put their lives on the line, to protect yours and mine.
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Hot Water Never Felt So Good
Oh the Liard Hot Springs, a true treasure of the North. And what could make a hot spring better than the scenic cold of the
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Boardwalk Users Take the High Road
Dawson’s council got to talking about bylaws and boardwalks the other day and one councillor made the comment that there didn’t seem to be any
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Edith Josie”
Who Will Write Her News? She only went to Grade 4, but she didn’t need more. ‘Cause she used verb and noun, and she wrote
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Hurry Up and Relax!
If anyone deserves an equatorial break from winter, it is us, the North-of-60ers. Other than those living above treeline, we have been darker and colder
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About the Rising of the Sun
The Klondike Sun, to which Berton was referring in his guest editorial in that first issue, has made it through its 21st year. Last issue,
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Canine Communication and the P-Mail Network
Dogs really need to get out and check their messages on a daily basis, in the same way that we humans need to go to
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Walls Can Talk: 410 Ogilvie – Squeaky Clean
“We think it was originally an army wash house,” Lee Nunn informs me as we discuss 410 Ogilvie Street. Pete McCracken, carpenter extraordinaire, responsible for
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Offering Shelter
Kip Veale is right at home among the throngs of people who are participating in Rendezvous at Shipyard’s Park. As Yukoners celebrate the coming of
Choose Your Own Adventure at Hidden Lake
It is definitely getting easier for the family to go ice-fishing. I used to have to prep them for days before even thinking about it.
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The music moves to Haines
Once again, the streets of Whitehorse will be bare as its citizens flock to the next big summer weekend event. On this weekend, July 29
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Health is Wealth”
Health is Wealth Put a stop, to drinkin’ pop. If you drink Coke, you will be broke. Put a halt, to food with salt. Don’t
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Golden Words Helped the Klondike Survive
For all that Dawson City is celebrated in lore and in history for the Klondike Gold Rush, I venture to say that the place would
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Lottery Ticket”
“Lottery Ticket” When I went to buy a lottery ticket, the friendly lady said, “Pick it!” With no luck, I lost one buck. When I
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Michio”
Michio He came from Japan, and he liked our land. He even looks like a Gwitchin, Maybe he’s our next of kin. Up to Old
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Silent strength – Todd Hardy Tribute
I’ve never met Tytus Hardy, or Tess or Lymond Hardy. But I know for a fact that they are good people … smart, caring and
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Word Fun”
How come eggs, don’t have legs? My poodles, eat noodles. Are those horns, or thorns? Lots of butter, makes me stutter. There’s a spider, in
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “One Buck (No Luck)”
“One Buck (No Luck)” When I went to buy a lottery ticket, the friendly lady said, “Pick it!” With no luck, I lost one buck.
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When Plaque is a Good Thing
Plaque is the subject of this week’s visit to A Klondike Korner. I’ve visited this subject before, but another one of our buildings is due
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French Toast: A Raft From the Past
Recently, with the massive interest in television reality shows, came a remake of old-style living and old-style adventure. The Rivard producers from Manitoba are currently
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Dawson Buttons Up for the Coming Winter
So the Outhouse Race is over and the last ball tournament of the season has played its final innings. Later today the Goldrush Campground, whose
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“Accessible” is the Word for this Year’s DCMF
Producer/artistic director Tim Jones is feeling satisfied with this year’s Dawson City Music Festival. 2010
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Venturing West into Alaska
With the exception of the remote north coast, the Yukon is landlocked. We have large rivers and drainages that connect us to the Pacific Ocean,
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Their Own Thousand Words on Africa
Local photographer Lisa Marino believes in the power of her medium. According to her, photographs are a “universal language” in which people from a variety
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Growing a festival, grows the community
Teslin Concert in the Park is a three-day event, July 9 to 11. Last year, it was a one-day event. Two years ago, one evening.
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Try Something a Little Jiggy
If you watched any those 1960s sitcoms, like Leave it to Beaver or The Andy Griffith Show, things just seemed way simpler. Kids would head
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206 Hawkins: The Riverboat Captain’s Braw House
Joanne Baines, current owner of 206 Hawkins Street, says she can’t remember who told her that Albert Henderson built the house for his sweetheart, but
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French Toast: Guitar Man
He is an important member of Whitehorse’s artistic community, but he is especially well known as an experienced guitar player. Nicholas Mah’s classical sound is
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Idle Talk”
I know it is just idle talk, but I wish I can turn back the clock. If the years I can rewind, my time will
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Fishing with Another Generation
As a parent with young kids, I am often concerned about the next generation. I know that children are not getting outside as much anymore.
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509 Wood Street: An Elegant Grandmother
Research to date has taken me into post-Second World War homes. Recently however I had the opportunity to visit 509 Wood. I think of this
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French Toast: Traditional Music Containing OMG
As everybody knows, the Dawson City Music Festival 2010 is coming this weekend, July 16 to 18. This year, the Francophone voice of the festival
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The Preserve is for Kids
On my very first day at the Preserve, I met someone. It was a beautiful, cold and sunny February day and I was engrossed in
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A land where pilots are noble
Over 100 planes will be in the Yukon this weekend as the Century Flight Club heads for Whitehorse, its first destination event following last year’s
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Tour of Canadian Organic Farms Starts Here
Tana Silverland didn’t ask for any attention, but she’s learning quickly that it has a way of finding her. The British ex-pat, who used to
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In Search of Culinary and Piscatorial Delights
Being a former forestry guy and mushroom picker of past, Carl knew that Little Salmon Lake would be the destination for our weekend outing. We
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One-hundred planes over the Yukon
When these planes pass through an airfield, they gulp up 20,000 litres of aviation fuel. It takes a total of two hours to watch them
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Break-Up Survival Guide
When the time comes and your relationship with your “soul mate” tanks, you need to assess the damage and then act wisely to avoid becoming
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French Toast: Sylvie Painchaud Returns to the Stage
There is a new, francophone face in the artistic landscape of the territory. Indeed, everyone in the Yukon’s francophony talks about this night of May
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Didee Didoo – Poem “Prop”
PROP A boat is not like a car, ’cause I can hit a sandbar. When the water starts to drop, I can seriously damage my
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Story By Hawk”
Story By Hawk This story was told by Hawk, when birds an’ animals used to talk. There was Loon and Crow, with no colours to
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Lightweight Foods to Lighten The Load
Here are two lightweight and quick-to-prepare recipes sure to deliver loads of flavour and little weight while being carried in your pack, canoe or kayak.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Our Ladies”
OUR LADIES Their title they always defend, and they always beat us men. Tug of War is a contest, to see who’s the best. The
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French Toast: Multi-talented Artist Presents New Work
It’s hard not to find her; she is everywhere. I’m talking about the performance artist, poet, writer and painter Josée Fortin. And starting on Nov.
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Winter Snow Dropped Early this Year
My experience in Dawson says we first snow before Thanksgiving. But there are exceptions. One memorable year we had snow early in September
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Gerald”
His name is Gerald Nukon From Old Crow Yukon. He always says “Hi!” An’ he’s a pretty cool guy. Gerald is such a great lad
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How To Assemble a Winter Survival Kit
Most survival situations don’t involve plane crashes, floods or blizzards. Usually they are fairly routine events such as a broken motorboat propeller, water in the
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Fattening Up for Winter
That furry, satisfied hunter you see on the front of this week’s What’s Up Yukon is the most northerly cover image we’ve ever used. It’s
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Getting a Bird’s Eye View of Winter
One of the thrills of having a bird feeder is getting up close to our feathered friends. If you’ve never put up a feeder, why
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French Toast: Picturing Life Extracts
It’s a landscape in monochrome colours, a mysterious detail of a natural scene, an abandoned truck in the middle of the winter or the behaviour
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Grayling Amidst the Heat at Quiet Lake
One really takes pavement for granted until a trip on the South Canol puts it in perspective. Thankfully, after two hours, the bone-rattling, trailer-tire popping
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510 Hawkins: the kachelöfen Guest House
I appreciate meeting people who live their life philosophy. Suat Tuzlak is one such person. I admire his philosophy about good wholesome food. I applaud
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Terry Fox”
“Terry Fox” If you feel like giving in, and you’re not likely to win, just remember Terry Fox, and his wise talks. He is an
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Dawson Poised for a Dramatic Comeback
Caili Steel is full of good news when we meet at Klondike Kate’s for coffee and a chat during that restaurant’s opening afternoon. “I just
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “How Bear Lost His Tail”
“How Bear Lost His Tail” This is a long time ago tail about how Bear lost his tail. At first Bear’s tail was long then
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “The Great Outdoors”
“The Great Outdoors” Animals on all fours, live in the great outdoors. Animals give birth, on their Mother Earth. This is their home, where they
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Going Green”
GOING GREEN You’ll know what I mean, when I say he’s going green. Uncle’s house was brown, when he left town. But when he came
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When the Outhouses Get Running
Poetry à la Commode If you’re looking for good weekend sport then Dawson’s still holding the fort. Be real spiffy and bring your own biffy
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Canada Day”
Canada Day On Canada Day, an Elder will pray. Our Gwichin Nation, put on a celebration. O Canada we sing loud, because Canadians, we’re proud.
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The Gold Show Blooms this Weekend
It’s Monday afternoon and Evelyn Pollock answers the telephone at the office of the Dawson City Chamber of Commerce. This catches me off stride as
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The New Faces of Dawson
While it’s rare to find a weekend in the Dawson summer when there’s not a major event, things do tend to slow down a bit
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All That Glitters in the Klondike
Dawson City was founded on the glitter of gold and, so, it is no surprise that the yellow metal gets mentioned a great deal here.
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When will the Ferry Be In?
Write about things that are going to happen about 10 days after you write them, the editor says. Oh, to be a Nostradamus at such
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Hip Hop”
HIP HOP They wear their caps backwards, and they speak new words. I really don’t like to tease, but their pants are down to their
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Mischief”
Mischief We all did it one time or another, but we never told our mother. We never even bother, to tell our father. For the
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From Israel to Shipyards Park
He was a staple of this summer’s Fireweed Market, held every Thursday in Shipyards Park. At the far end of the market’s stalls, you’d find
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My ideal editor is …
As you are reading this, there is a different editor preparing the next issue of What’s Up Yukon, as I have stepped aside to allow
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French Toast: Hats off!
The colourful Gala de la francophonie is coming up soon. For the 16th year in a row, the Francophone community will get together to celebrate
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We would like to share this award with all of you
It is with your support these past years that our community entertainment magazine has grown to what it is today. We didn’t create the events,
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The Odd Places Some People Live
Dawson City has long been known for unique answers to its housing shortage, especially in the summer, when the place is flooded with summer people
The Odd Places Some People Live Read More »