December 22, 2017

A Yukon News Christmas Speccia ial al

Dece ember 22, 2017

Stories by Ashl As h ey Joa hl oann nnou nn ou . Lor o i Fo F x . Jaccki k e Ho Hong n . Amy Ken ng nny . Joh ohn n Ho Hopk pkin pk in nss-Hi H ll . Cry Hi yst stal all Scch hic ick k . Kei e th Hal alli l da li day y Phot Ph o o by ot b Cry ryst stal st al Sch chic ick ic k

May your Christmas be Warm & Full of Happiness

HURLBURT ENTERPRISES INC. HOLIDAY HOURS: CLOSED Friday, December 22 Monday, January 1 RE-OPENING Tuesday, January 2 at 8:00 am

Store ph: (867) 633-5192 numbers: fax: (867) 633-6222 Toll-Free 1(866) 449-5192 Address: 11 Burns Road Email: hurlburtei@gmail.com Website: hurlburt.ca

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YUKON YULETIDE

Happy Holidays from Larry Bagnell, Bagnell MP, MP and the Yukon MP Office Staff!

Friday, December 22, 2017

Raven Recycling Wishes everyone a

Happy Holiday

Old, broken Christmas lights can be donated and all proceeds will be matched by Raven Recycling and given to the Outreach Van.

Larry Bagnell, MP Yukon 204-204 Black Street Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2M9

Tel: (867) 668-6565 • Email: larry.bagnell.c1@parl.gc.ca

Wishing... all our customers and their families a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

Canadian Tire Store 18 Chilkoot Way Whitehorse, YT (867) 668-3652

Email Us: info@ravenrecycling.org | Phone: 867-667-7269 www.ravenrecycling.org

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

yukon-news.com

A Christmas Bawl G

etting a photo taken on Santa’s lap is a tried and true tradition for most North American families, much to the detriment of many small children.

Parents stand in line for frustrating amounts of time, with impatient kids sometimes dressed in cute Christmas themed outfits. It was a lot of work, with perhaps some yelling and tears from both parents and children to get to this point, but it is all worth it once the perfect photo with jolly old Saint Nick is complete. Except for some, the photo session doesn’t go exactly as hoped. The following images were taken at Winterval and Air North’s Cookies with Santa earlier this month.

Mrs. Claus tries to console seven-month-old Isabel Reynolds.

Ruth, 10 months, screams while Gus, 3, looks on in confusion.

Frea Prentice, 2, is unimpressed.

Rebecka Hodge chuckles as her daughter Nyla Jones, 10 months, suddenly breaks out in tears.

Photography by Crystal Schick One-year-old twins Leonie Paquin Coulombe, left, and Mathilde, clearly do not remember jolly, old Saint Nick from the holidays last year.

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YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

Friday, December 22, 2017

Season’s cheeses Crystal Schick News Reporter

I

f you’re looking for a cheesy gift this holiday season, look no further than Cultured Fine Cheese.

For almost three years, Larra Daley, cheese monger and shop founder, has been helping Yukoners set new holiday traditions and guiding them through all their curdling questions.

December, and especially the week before Christmas, tends to be a bit crazy compared to the rest of the year, says Daley.

“There is a reason we bring on a whole new family of fridges to support us in December, because we definitely order a greater quantity,” she says.

During the holiday season, everyone is entertaining or going to work parties, Daley explains, and cheese is a simple yet decadent party favour.

“For me, the holidays were always about getting together with friends and family and just eating really good food,” she adds.

The micro-sized store is located in Horwood’s Mall. Even before it opens in the morning, Daley says, Christmas shoppers start browsing gift baskets and asking about gift cards.

Toodi Wells was one of those many early-bird customers the morning of Dec. 14, picking up a gift

card for her daughter.

“I was just thinking that she is doing a lot of entertaining over the holidays and it’s nice to be able to do something that’s different,” Wells says.

It’s not just the cheeses, she adds, but the crackers and oils and other snacks.

“It’s nice to have that variety and somebody knowledgeable to be able to tell you about them and help to choose,” says Wells.

You can’t really go wrong with cheese, she adds, because “everybody likes some kind of cheese.”

Daley is aware that not everyone is a cheese whiz and is happy to give some pointers to get people through to 2018.

Party time If you’re going to a gathering but you’re not expected to feed everyone, the cheese connoisseur suggests a simple trio of cheeses.

“Go with something firm, go with something semi-firm, and a nice triple cream,” she says. “It is really popular with people this time of year.”

This setup will also pair nicely with some crackers and preserves, keeping the serving method simple.

Party faux pas While most people like some type of cheese, not everyone loves

all types of cheese. Choosing a block of stinking bishop or limburger as your shared appetizer may not be the best idea.

“If they don’t know the crowd,” says Daley, “we do tend to guide people in the direction we know to be really popular and what we would call the crowd pleasers and are a safe bet.”

Sometimes though, adventurous customers will let the staff pick whatever they Crystal Schick/Yukon News want for a tray.

Larra Daley holds a wheel of cheese at her tiny shop in Horwood’s Mall.

“It’s fabulous,” she says.

“It’s fun for us to be able to a bit of spiced cranberry apple ice put together something where you Christmas morning wine jam in there too.” can get every milk type and categoWhat to munch on while the Top the turkey and your presenry of cheese and make a stunning kids are taking forever unwrapping tation off with a grated firm Italian platter.” their presents? Daley suggests cheese. serving a triple cream cheese along Christmas Eve dinner with a champagne brunch. The Hangover For the third year in a row, cheese can also be paired with a The holidays are about celebraCultured is offering a freshly grated sparkling wine rose petal jelly for tion and indulgence and sometimes fondue mix. the perfect amount of sweetness. that leads to a not-so-awesome “I think it is now a tradition morning. Luckily, Daley even has a for many people in Whitehorse Christmas with turkey cheese selection for that. because we have tons of repeat Roasted birds are a pretty “What I think would make an customers,” says Daley, adding that traditional choice for many families awesome hangover cheese is the they also have new people jumping during the holiday season, so Daley BellaVitano espresso,” she says. “It’s on the fondue Christmas bandwagsuggests livening it up a bit. an espresso rubbed cheese that is on.

“A rosemary olive oil rubbed highly addictive, not just because The mix is a trio of gruyere, asiago would definitely be aweof the espresso content but just the appenzeller, and zacherin friboursome with turkey,” she says. “It geois, blended together. Cultured cheese itself.” would also make an awesome Contact Crystal Schick at staff will even make up a personalcrystal.schick@yukon-news.com sandwich for leftover turkey, with ized recipe card for the clients.

Shop Local

Thanks For Your Friendship!

As we send our best wishes, we know one thing is true, We wouldn’t be here without good friends like you!

Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you. Many thanks for your generous support this past year.

Qwanlin Mall | 303 Ogilvie St, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2S3 Phone: (867) 633-2550

Happy Holidays FROM THE

WHITEHORSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

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Share the Spirit delivers Christmas gifts to 500 kids Ashley Joannou News Reporter

T

his time of year, Whitehorse’s 30 or so firefighters consider themselves “agents of Santa,” Nicholas O’Carroll says.

For the second year in a row members of the Whitehorse Fire Department Charitable Society have taken on the role of elves organizing the Share the Spirit Christmas campaign.

Over the last 16 years the campaign has provided gifts for children who might not otherwise receive anything under the tree. It also hands out fixings for Christmas dinner to their families.

This year’s campaign collected gifts for more than 500 children in more than 250 families across the territory. For the first time the campaign was expanded to include Watson Lake and Haines Junction.

“I think everyone worries, just like I would worry with my own child, that a child would feel less important if they didn’t get something at Christmas,” O’Carroll says.

“It’s not about getting them that one crazy wish list thing that they want but we definitely want to make sure they get something.”

The process starts by getting a list of children in need. O’Carroll said organizers get much of their information from government social services, though there have also been families that have reached out personally.

Each kid provides a wish list of what they want for Christmas.

O’Carroll said most of the wish lists he sees are not extravagant.

Kids will ask for simple things like

art supplies, books or clothes.

“For the most part these are kids that are asking for very reasonable things and your heart rips out reading some of these wish lists,” he said.

The children are matched with a sponsor who volunteers to spend about $50 on gifts for them. The sponsor never knows their child’s name, only their gender, age, and some other basics like their clothing and shoe size. The sponsor gets a copy of the child’s wish list but is free to buy whatever gift they think is best.

As for the makings of a Christmas dinner, firefighters buy their turkeys and fixings in bulk to get the best deal. O’Carroll estimates they’ll spend as much as $26,000 — all collected via donations — on food for the hampers.

Delivery starts about a week before Christmas.

Sometimes firefighters will set up a time and place to meet with the families and hand over the gifts.

Other parents don’t want their kids to know that the gifts came from a Share the Spirit campaign, O’Carroll said.

“In some of the cases we might put it in a black garbage bag and let the parent deal with it from that angle.”

The Whitehorse firefighters took over Share the Spirit from the Kin Club last year and started thinking about expanding. After a pilot project last year, the campaign is being offered again in Dawson City.

Organizers have been working with local firefighters and shelters in the communities. A local shipping company is taking the gifts

into the communities.

“We know the need is everywhere but we also know that 85 per cent of our population is in Whitehorse,” O’Carroll says. “So to run a program like this that’s not government funded in these small communities isn’t the easiest of things to do.”

This time of year, organizations, businesses or community groups will often agree to sponsor multiple children.

The 350 students at Vanier Catholic Secondary School sponsored a total of 60 kids. Each morning class raised money to buy gifts for the children, says principal Ryan Sikkes.

That means early December was full of pancake breakfasts, candy cane and hot chocolate sales, cake competitions or pie-in-the-face fundraisers, “The atmosphere in our school during the breaks and during the lunch hours is a lot of fun. It’s busy and it’s noisy and there’s laughter,” Sikkes said.

Classes will go shopping to spend the money they’ve raised.

Sikkes said the school tries to focus not just on the charity but also on having larger conversations about social issues.

“It’s not just about raising the money and congratulating ourselves and walking away, it’s an entry way into asking some more difficult questions about why our community functions the way it does.”

Contact Ashley Joannou at ashleyj@yukon-news.com

Paint’en Place

would like to wish all our customers in Yukon and Northern BC

Merry Christmas py New Year p a H &

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Robyn Ward-Clark, a volunteer of five years, puts the last touch on one of the gifts she wrapped for Share the Spirit Christmas campaign.

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Baskets of wrapped gifts are ready to go.

Wishing you a Warm & Cozy Winter!

DALL

CONTRACTING LTD. • Home heat fuel delivery • Cardlock • Bulk Fuel • Lubricants McCrae Industrial Area • #2 Glacier Road • Tel: 867.668.7455

See us online @ www.paintenplace.ca

667-2468

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Christmas programming helps Champagne Aishihik through the holidays Amy Kenny Special to the News

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othing says happy holidays like a screening of Star Wars — that’s just one of nearly two dozen events the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations have planned for Christmas Connects, a program now in its third year.

CAFN Chief Steve Smith says programming aims to support CAFN citizens over the holidays and bring the community together at a time that can be stressful for people.

“Our council sees this as a necessary thing,” says Smith. “Christmas Connects is about getting some supports and some activities to our community over the Christmas holidays, given how many people don’t view Christmas as a positive time.”

He says council sees the program as an opportunity to reach out to those who struggle.

“It’s about getting the community together and providing positive supports to as many as possible.”

Last year, programming included a chili and games night, a youth field trip to Whitehorse for a movie and bowling, a Christmas morning brunch (which takes place this year at Mun Ku, the elders complex in Haines Junction), delivery of food hampers, and the maintaining of a 24-hour emergency crisis line.

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Steve Smith says Christmas Connect aims to support CAFN citizens over the holidays.

This year, events started Dec. 5 and run through to Dec. 31.

They’re being held at a variety of venues between Haines Junction and Whitehorse. Some, such as the family-friendly New Year’s Eve party at Da Ku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction, or the Star Wars: The Last Jedi screening at Qwanlin Cinema in

Whitehorse, take place only once (on New Year’s Eve beginning at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 21, respectively).

Others, such as Lift Your Spirits, are being held in multiple locations, in order to be accessible to as many CAFN citizens as possible, says Smith.

Lift Your Spirits is a day of pedicures, manicures, haircuts, energy

work, massage, card reading, and more. While Smith says all events are free and aimed at CAFN citizens, Lift Your Spirits is specifically geared toward the First Nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

Smith says this year’s planning reflects what those citizens say they need. He says council turns to

the community each year to get its thoughts on Christmas Connects.

“We get a lot of positive feedback,” he says. “But there’s always one or two suggestions about things we could change and we take those.”

That’s how Lift Your Spirits expanded into multiple communities for 2017.

This year, the daylong event was offered at the Healing House in Haines Junction, Takhini Hall on the Alaska Highway, and at Mount McIntyre in Whitehorse.

Another event held in both Haines Junction and Whitehorse was a Christmas sewing workshop at the beginning of December, where participants made canvas top mukluk Christmas stockings.

Smith says council doesn’t have hard numbers on how many people come out to each event, but says he knows that at last year’s film screening, which tends to be a big draw for youth, the theatre was at capacity, with 160 attendees.

“It’s well-prescribed,” he says. “We fill up.”

For a full schedule of events, visit cafn.ca.

Contact the Yukon News at editor@yukon-news.com

The crew at th he

wou uld lik ke to wish h alll th heir am maz zin ng custom merrs a ve ery y Merrry Chrristmas.

JAVA WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 23 THROUGH JANUARY 7 REOPENING JANUARY 8TH WITH OUR ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY!

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

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Christmas in the bush: Our last-minute holiday gift guide for the outdoorsy type in your life bly sexist) “mini-babe” pocket knife on the market years ago.

Chum: Gerber folding knife — various styles — $24 to $40 Best Friend: CRKT folding knife — various styles — $85 to $100 Soulmate: Leatherman multitool with sheath — various styles — $104 to $140

Lori Fox News Reporter

I

s somebody you love an extreme backpacker? An avid backcountry hunter? A skilled and experienced forager?

Are you, like many people, terrible at choosing gifts? This handy gift guide for the outdoors-person in your life will help you pick out the perfect last-minute present (and shop local). Gifts are ranked in ascending order of price, corresponding to how much you love the recipient (that’s how it works, right?). Chum: a pal you do activities with. Best friend: you’d donate a kidney if they needed one. Soul mate: soul mate.

Sleep tight (Coast Mountain Sports) There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable sleep when you’re in the backcountry, but with the proper gear, you can sleep anywhere, even in winter. When choosing a sleeping bag for cold weather, Olivia Findley of Coast Mountain Sports says down is more expensive, but definitely warmer.

Findley recommends a Rabb brand bag, as their down fill is more ethically sourced than other brands. They also offer some down bags with a hydrophobic coating, which means water will bead off of it, preventing your expensive down

Lori Fox/Yukon News

The Tikka T3X .300 Winchester Magnum, top, and the Remington 783 .300 Winchester Magnum. bag from becoming a wet sopping mess in an unexpected downpour.

Chum: Marmot Trestles 15 — synthetic fill, rated to -9 C —$150 Best Friend: Rab Women’s Ascent 900 — hydrophobic down fill, -18 C — $381 Soul Mate: Rab Expedition 1400 — down fill, rated to -40 C — $1,100 A roof over your head (Coast Mountain Sports) The most expensive tent isn’t necessarily the best tent, but a good four-season model is indispensable. The MSR two-person Hubba Hubba is the most popular lightweight backpacking tent, but the MSR X is “the most versatile,” says Findley, and has very little mesh, meaning less heat is lost when winter camping.

Chum: Marmot Tungsten — two-person, three-season, five

pounds — $300 Best Friend: MSR Hubba — one-person, three-season, two pounds, seven ounces — $460 Soul Mate: MSR Access 2 — two-person four- season 5lbs — $700 It’s a poor carpenter who blames their tools (Hougen’s Sportslodge) Nobody should venture into the backcountry without a pocket knife doesn’t deserve to be there. Nick Ritter at Hougen’s Sportslodge recommends the CRKT pocket knives, for their good quality steel and smooth opening. From personal experience, I would avoid anything

by Outdoor Edge. They’re low-quality and don’t retain their sharpness, although I might be biased — I’ve had a grudge against Outdoor Edge since finding their hot pink (incredi-

s p o h S a t n a S Here!

Extended xmas Hours!

All cut up (Hougen’s Sportslodge) While a pocketknife is a good all-around tool, serious big-game hunters sometimes need a knife with more finesse or power to get their kill from beast to roast.

Ritter recommends a small, slick skinning knife by Havalon — it has interchangeable, surgical-style blades that you simply change out when the old one dulls, he said.

For a more classic bush knife, he

There are many like it but this one is mine (Hougen’s Sportslodge) Part of a successful hunt is using the right rifle. A clean shot means a clean kill, and that’s not only humane and good for the meat, but respectful to the animal. Chris Cassia of Hougen’s Sportlodge says the Tikka .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most common and popular rifles around (and it’s bison-legal).

I’ve omitted the chum category here because not only should you never buy a cheap rifle, you should probably never buy a gun for someone who isn’t your best friend or family. Also, when buying a gun, you — and whomever you are buying for — must have their Possession and Aquisition Licence.

Best Friend: Remington 783 .300 Winchester Magnum — bolt action, with scope — $530 Soul Mate: Tikka T3X .300 Winchester Magnum — bolt action, no scope — $1,125 Contact Lori Fox at lori.fox@yukon-news.com

Have a Sweet Season!

The staff at the Real Canadian Superstore wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

DECEMBER DECEMBER

Holiday Hours

Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

One S Your

Brighten up (Hougen’s Sportslodge and Coast Mountain Sports) Both Findley and Rittel recommended a good headlamp as a must-have for any bush person, especially this time of year, when it’s dark all the time. Both also recommended Fenix brand for both quality and brightness.

Best Friend: Fenix Hm50R — compact, rechargeable, 500 lumens — $85 Soulmate: Fenix HP 25R — rechargeable, 1000 lumens — $110

recommends the Nova Scotia-made Groaman’s hunting knife.

Chum: Havalon — replaceable blades — $65 Best Friend: Buck classic hunting knife — various styles — $75-$100 Soulmate: Groaman’s (Canadian made) — various styles — $130-$145

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OPEN 7am-10pm OPEN 7am-12am

DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER

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2270 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse Phone: (867) 456-6618

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YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to eager children from a two-horse sleigh as they brought up the rear of the Santa Claus parade.

KLUANE Freight Lines Ltd. would like to wish everyone a

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

YUKON’S TRUSTED GENERAL FREIGHT CARRIER!

1 0 0 P L A T I N U M R O A D W H I T E H O R S E , Y U K O N 667-7447

Friday, December 22, 2017

YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

January 31st marks the end of my term as the 25th Commissioner of Yukon.

Serving this office has been a profound honour for both Dale and I. Over the past seven years I have had the pleasure of spending time with folks across Yukon and recognizing their outstanding acts of contribution to our community.

Yukoners have welcomed me into their homes with a warmth and kindness that deďŹ ne us as a community, and as a Territory.

I could not have imagined a better way to end my career in the public service.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for making this the best job in Yukon.

I invite you all to please join me at my closing levee

January 1, 2018 at 2:00pm.

In the foyer of the Yukon Government Main Administration Building.

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yukon-news.com

Friday, December 22, 2017

Jackie Hong News Reporter

Recipe: tong yuen, or sweet dumpling in syrup

B

esides Christmas and New Year’s, the latter half of December marks another important holiday for people of Chinese heritage — dung zi, or the Winter Solstice Festival.

Comparable to Thanksgiving, the festival falls during the 11th month on the Lunar Calendar, which typically works out to be on or around Dec. 22. For many Chinese, it’s one of the most important holidays of the year and sees family members from near and far gathering together to share a feast.

One of the key components of the meal are tong yuen, which are sweet, often multi-coloured dumplings served with syrup. They’re a traditional must-have because in Cantonese, the name translates literally to “soup balls,” but when pronounced with a slightly different inflection, sounds like the word for “reunion” (the Cantonese language loves wordplay). They’re also traditionally eaten during the Spring Lantern Festival and at weddings.

This recipe calls for glutinous rice flour (not regular rice flour — an important difference) and Chinese brown sugar, which comes in small, hard bars instead of the typical granulated variety. As someone with Chinese-Malaysian parents, the version I grew up eating also called for a pandan leaf or two to be added to the syrup, but fresh pandan proved to be a challenge to find in the Yukon.

Although the dumplings are fine plain, I like them best with a little bit of broken-up brown sugar or sesame paste inside. Feel free to break from tradition and fill them with anything you like — I’ve seen them filled with chocolate spread, peanut butter and mashed pumpkin before.

Comparable to Thanksgiving, the festival falls during the 11th month on the Lunar Calendar, which typically works out to be on or around Dec. 22.

The dumplings sit on a plate next to a pot of syrup they will be boiled in.

Contact Jackie Hong at jackie.hong@yukon-news.com

Time: 30 minutes Yield: 15-20 dumplings Mike Thomas/Yukon News

Sesame seed paste is shaped into balls to use as filling in a sweet dumpling dish called tong yuen.

A dough of glutinous rice flour is mixed with water.

The dough is rolled.

Ingredients For tong yuen: -1 cup glutinous rice flour -½ cup water -food colouring (optional) For syrup: -3 cups water -1 bar Chinese brown sugar -thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced (optional) For sesame filling (optional) -¼ cup sesame seeds (black or white), toasted -2 tbsp butter, softened -2 tbsp sugar (or to taste) Directions For sesame filling: In a blender, pour sesame seeds and pulse until fine.

In a bowl, add sesame seeds, sugar and butter.

Using a spoon, mix until a smooth paste forms. If mixture is too crumbly, add more butter.

Using hands, shape paste into balls. Balls can be any size; the larger they are, the larger the tong yuen Place sesame balls on plate and place in fridge.

For tong yuen: In a bowl, combine glutinous rice flour and water. Knead to form a smooth, slightly sticky dough, about two to five minutes.

If using food colouring, separate dough into bowls. Add five to 10 drops of food colouring and knead until dough is evenly coloured.

Using hands, roll dough into balls and place on plate.

If using sesame filling, remove from fridge and press filling into dough ball, then roll in hands again until filling is sealed in.

For syrup and cooking tong yuen; In a pot, put water, Chinese brown sugar and ginger slices. The pot should be small enough that the liquid completely covers the tong yuen. Bring water to a gentle boil and stir until sugar dissolves.

Gently place tong yuen into boiling syrup. Do not over-crowd pot; tong yuen will expand slightly as they cook. Cook tong yuen until they float, about five minutes.

Scoop out tong yuen into small bowls. Scoop a few tablespoons of syrup on top and serve immediately.

The dumplings are cooked in a ginger syrup.

The dumplings are now ready to eat.

Friday, December 22, 2017

YUKON YULETIDE

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Carly Schick/Yukon News

The super moon is framed by street lights in Whitehorse on Dec. 4.

Merry Christmas!

The Management and staff of Mic Mac Toyota would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and Best Wishes for 2018!!

Mic Mac

6111 - 6th Avenue at Main Street • 667.7202 Fax 668.5182 • www.micmactoyota.ca Email: sales@micmac.toyota.ca Toll Free: 1.877.667.7202 REGULAR HOURS SALES: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:30 • Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 PARTS & SERVICE: Monday to Friday 7:30 to 5:30 • Saturday 9:00 to 1:00

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YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

TIPS

RPAY

Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon wishes everyone an Active, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season!

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

BENEFITS

to Staying Active During the Holidays

From Participaction Celebrate your wins Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day- just keep going Do something you want to do- not something you think you should Find a friend that holds you accountable and makes exercise fun Lay out your workout clothes the night before

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yukon-news.com

to Staying Active During the Holidays

From Participaction The Holidays is a stressful time, exercise helps to manage anxiety A great way to enjoy some time by yourself over the busy holidays Outdoor activity reconnects us with nature If you increase your lean muscle mass, you’ll increase your resting metabolism which means burning more calories, even at rest

12 Days of Activity 1

Walking W An A easy and fun way to get your physical activity in over o the holidays! Walk to a Christmas party, take the t family around the neighborhood to look at the th lights, or take your furry friend for a stroll in the li snow! If you don’t have a pet offer to take a friend’s or look into volunteering at Humane Society Yukon, they’re always looking for dog walkers!

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Snowball Fight; Not just for kids on the playground, S snowball fights get your heart pumping and are a great way s to get out even in colder temperatures. Look out for that perfect snow, make some teams, and have an all-out battle! p Finish it off with a truce and some hot chocolate inside!

F

10

Wildlife Viewing W Head out on your local trails H with w snowshoes or fat tire bikes and try to spot some bi animals!

If you’re around an Whitehorse head to the Wildlife Preserve on the weekend and walk or bike around the property so see some amazing animals!

There is also a guided bus tour option!

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Snowmobiling S A great way to get out and see the beautiful Yukon scenery! Go with friends and family, Y and a explore the mountains and trails all over the th Yukon. Make sure to stay informed on all weather forecasts and stay safe!

Skiing S Whether it’s cross country or downhill, skiing is an amazing W cardio workout and loads of fun for all ages! There are ca groomed trails in Kluane and Dawson, as well as tons of gr options for back country skiing across the Yukon. opp

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Ice I Skating A winter classic! Indoor or outdoor, on the rink or on the t lake, everyone loves going for a skate! Make it an th event and invite family and friends, or check out your e community pages to find out when a free skate is being c hosted! A great way to exercise and pass down a favorite pastime to a younger generation!

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Take Ta time to appreciate the beauty of o the Yukon, and to give back to it!

Follow these instructions to make F an a eco- friendly bird feeder; Cut an orange in half and scoop out the inside (use for a smoothie!), punch holes in the side and attach with twine, fill the orange with a mixture of birdseed and chunky peanut butter, put it outside and watch nature do its work!

Maple Cinn

amon Mash

Sweet Pota

Vegan, gluten-fr ee, grain-free, nu t-free Yield: 3-4 small servin gs Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 8 Minutes

A great way to shine some light in the winter darkness!

Decorating is a fun activity that can be done with family and D friends!

Hang lights on trees in the yard, make a family of fr snowmen, or set up your annual Santa and reindeer display. s

9

ipe

Healthy Holiday Dish

Decorate Outside D

Tobogganing T Take advantage of the snow and hit the hills! Tobogganing T is an awesome activity to get the family out of the house and a enjoying the winter! It’s not hard to find the perfect spot s while living in the Yukon. Call up some friends and make a day of it over the holidays!

Rec

Give G Back to Nature

ed

toes

Ingredients:

Volunteer V

12

This T holiday season is is all about giving and a caring for others!

Reach out to a R neighbor and offer to shovel their driveway and side walk. This gets you active and helps out others!

Give the Gift of Health G If you’re struggling with a Christmas gift for someone why not the gift of health? A 10-punch so ppass to the local fitness center, a gift certificate to ski lessons, or a pair of snowshoes. Helping someone to get more physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give!

2 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp 1/4 tsp

large sweet pota toes, peeled and roughly choppe vegan butter d pure maple syru p pure vanilla extr act a couple genero us pinches of fi ne grain sea sa cinnamon, to ta lt, to taste ste

Directions:

1. Add peeled an d chopped pota toes in with water. Brin g to a boil. Redu to a medium pot and cover ce until the potato es are fork tend heat to a simmer and cook er, about 5-8 m 2. Add potatoes inutes. Drain. back in the vegan bu into the pot and with a potato tte masher, mash ingredients to ta r until smooth. Now add the re st of the ste. Serve immed iately. ~ Angela Liddon ‘Oh She Glows’

Community C Check your local community pages to see events planned by your C community leaders! There are many annual events across the Yukon, co like lilikk the Skate with Santa on Christmas Eve in Haines Junction. Go visit with w elders in your community and ask them to pass down some of their knowledge to you! The holidays are a great time to catch up with other members of your community!

For more information on getting healthy and active in the Yukon contact RPAY:

Phone: (867) 668-3010 | Visit us: 170 Titanium Way Suite 201 C (upstairs) | Email: rpay@rpay.ca

ether to B g o T g in Work

www.rpay.ca

Follow RPAY

{

uild Active Healthy Communit

ies.

/goRPAY @RPAY1

Community Services Sport and Recreation Branch

RPAY

Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon

12

yukon-news.com

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

TIPS

RPAY

Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon wishes everyone an Active, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season!

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

BENEFITS

to Staying Active During the Holidays

From Participaction Celebrate your wins Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day- just keep going Do something you want to do- not something you think you should Find a friend that holds you accountable and makes exercise fun Lay out your workout clothes the night before

13

yukon-news.com

to Staying Active During the Holidays

From Participaction The Holidays is a stressful time, exercise helps to manage anxiety A great way to enjoy some time by yourself over the busy holidays Outdoor activity reconnects us with nature If you increase your lean muscle mass, you’ll increase your resting metabolism which means burning more calories, even at rest

12 Days of Activity 1

Walking W An A easy and fun way to get your physical activity in over o the holidays! Walk to a Christmas party, take the t family around the neighborhood to look at the th lights, or take your furry friend for a stroll in the li snow! If you don’t have a pet offer to take a friend’s or look into volunteering at Humane Society Yukon, they’re always looking for dog walkers!

2

3

7

Snowball Fight; Not just for kids on the playground, S snowball fights get your heart pumping and are a great way s to get out even in colder temperatures. Look out for that perfect snow, make some teams, and have an all-out battle! p Finish it off with a truce and some hot chocolate inside!

F

10

Wildlife Viewing W Head out on your local trails H with w snowshoes or fat tire bikes and try to spot some bi animals!

If you’re around an Whitehorse head to the Wildlife Preserve on the weekend and walk or bike around the property so see some amazing animals!

There is also a guided bus tour option!

11

Snowmobiling S A great way to get out and see the beautiful Yukon scenery! Go with friends and family, Y and a explore the mountains and trails all over the th Yukon. Make sure to stay informed on all weather forecasts and stay safe!

Skiing S Whether it’s cross country or downhill, skiing is an amazing W cardio workout and loads of fun for all ages! There are ca groomed trails in Kluane and Dawson, as well as tons of gr options for back country skiing across the Yukon. opp

4

8

5

Ice I Skating A winter classic! Indoor or outdoor, on the rink or on the t lake, everyone loves going for a skate! Make it an th event and invite family and friends, or check out your e community pages to find out when a free skate is being c hosted! A great way to exercise and pass down a favorite pastime to a younger generation!

6

Take Ta time to appreciate the beauty of o the Yukon, and to give back to it!

Follow these instructions to make F an a eco- friendly bird feeder; Cut an orange in half and scoop out the inside (use for a smoothie!), punch holes in the side and attach with twine, fill the orange with a mixture of birdseed and chunky peanut butter, put it outside and watch nature do its work!

Maple Cinn

amon Mash

Sweet Pota

Vegan, gluten-fr ee, grain-free, nu t-free Yield: 3-4 small servin gs Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 8 Minutes

A great way to shine some light in the winter darkness!

Decorating is a fun activity that can be done with family and D friends!

Hang lights on trees in the yard, make a family of fr snowmen, or set up your annual Santa and reindeer display. s

9

ipe

Healthy Holiday Dish

Decorate Outside D

Tobogganing T Take advantage of the snow and hit the hills! Tobogganing T is an awesome activity to get the family out of the house and a enjoying the winter! It’s not hard to find the perfect spot s while living in the Yukon. Call up some friends and make a day of it over the holidays!

Rec

Give G Back to Nature

ed

toes

Ingredients:

Volunteer V

12

This T holiday season is is all about giving and a caring for others!

Reach out to a R neighbor and offer to shovel their driveway and side walk. This gets you active and helps out others!

Give the Gift of Health G If you’re struggling with a Christmas gift for someone why not the gift of health? A 10-punch so ppass to the local fitness center, a gift certificate to ski lessons, or a pair of snowshoes. Helping someone to get more physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give!

2 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp 1/4 tsp

large sweet pota toes, peeled and roughly choppe vegan butter d pure maple syru p pure vanilla extr act a couple genero us pinches of fi ne grain sea sa cinnamon, to ta lt, to taste ste

Directions:

1. Add peeled an d chopped pota toes in with water. Brin g to a boil. Redu to a medium pot and cover ce until the potato es are fork tend heat to a simmer and cook er, about 5-8 m 2. Add potatoes inutes. Drain. back in the vegan bu into the pot and with a potato tte masher, mash ingredients to ta r until smooth. Now add the re st of the ste. Serve immed iately. ~ Angela Liddon ‘Oh She Glows’

Community C Check your local community pages to see events planned by your C community leaders! There are many annual events across the Yukon, co like lilikk the Skate with Santa on Christmas Eve in Haines Junction. Go visit with w elders in your community and ask them to pass down some of their knowledge to you! The holidays are a great time to catch up with other members of your community!

For more information on getting healthy and active in the Yukon contact RPAY:

Phone: (867) 668-3010 | Visit us: 170 Titanium Way Suite 201 C (upstairs) | Email: rpay@rpay.ca

ether to B g o T g in Work

www.rpay.ca

Follow RPAY

{

uild Active Healthy Communit

ies.

/goRPAY @RPAY1

Community Services Sport and Recreation Branch

RPAY

Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon

14

YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

We wish all Yukoners a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Friday, December 22, 2017

A Flurry of Pretty Little Wishes

From...

May your days be merry, blessed and bright, bringing you peace morning, noon and night.

Stacey Hassard MLA Pelly Nisutlin

With our gratitude, Happy Holidays!

May the kindness and friendship you generously give, come back to you in abundance as long as you live.

Wishing you all light, laughter and piles of snow this Christmas!

101-9006 Quartz Rd Whitehorse, YT Tel: 667-4730

There’s no place like

Home for the Holidays

101 Keish Street, Whitehorse CALL TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

www.lumelstudios.com + 633•2308

414 Baxter Street, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2T5 Phone: 867-668-6068 | Fax: 867-668-6052

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

yukon-news.com

Wyatt’s colouring page

Employment Central wishes everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Kala and Sara would both like to wish everyone very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Thank you for a wonderful year. www.takhinatherapeutics.com | 867-393-3224

2017

Monday, December 25 ........... CLOSED Tuesday, December 26 ........... CLOSED Wednesday, December 27 ...... 9:00AM - 4:30PM Thursday, December 28 ......... 9:00AM - 4:30PM Friday, December 29 ............. 9:00AM - 4:30PM

2018

Monday, January 1 ................ CLOSED Tuesday, January 2 ............... 9:00AM - 4:30PM

Wishing you all the peace & joy of the season!

Jean, Claudine, Wendy, Max, Lisa, Judith, Cat, & Chris Suite 202-204 Black Street Whitehorse, Yukon Phone: (867) 393-8270

Education Advanced Education

15

16

YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

Keith Halliday News Columnist

C

hristmas is a time for goodwill to all, even family members who don’t do their share of shoveling the driveway.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t send such loved ones a subtle, or not so subtle, message under the tree.

expansive suburbs, this kind of friction between housemates tends to be less explosive.

Nonetheless, you still hear of message-laden gifts. The first category are quiet pleas to change behaviour around the house. I’ve heard of teenagers getting snow shovels from Santa. It is indeed a rite of passage as time honoured as the driver’s license, although a lot less fun, to be handed a shovel on

Friday, December 22, 2017

maul for Christmas. A keen Yukon parent was hoping his Yukon girl would soon be wielding axe like a Viking warlord.

When you chop your own wood you warm yourself twice, and your dad gets to read the paper in his fluffy slippers, as the saying goes.

Alas, I hear the beginner-weight maul rests unused by the woodpile.

How many loving Yukoners have bought their spouses chainsaws,

But couples gifts can go both ways. Were you an elite cross-country skier in university? Buy some improbably skinny Rossignol X-IUM racing skis for your hapless spouse who hails from a ski-free suburb of Toronto.

You can see evidence of such gifts in the summer, too. Have you ever passed a couple of riders on expensive bikes on the Haines Road, with one far ahead and the

fishing rods, shotguns or snowmobiles over the years?

This is the dangerous relationship territory occupied by the pink .22 rifle, the .410 shotgun (known in the bad old days as the “ladies’ shotgun”) and the light 10-inch Stihl chainsaw.

Does your husband really respect you if, instead of a mighty 60 CC Husqvarna, he buys you a chainsaw whose box describes it as ideal for “pruning fruit trees?”

other puffing up a hill with a facial expression like the Grinch’s dog when pulling that huge sleigh full of Whoville’s presents?

At least these gifts suggest some desire by your spouse to spend time with you.

How about when a loved one gets you — and just you — a pass to the Mount McIntyre ski trails?

When this is accompanied by Santa bringing the family a new bathroom scale and a Christmas turkey

Passive aggressive Christmas gifts of the Yukon Back in the bad old days of cabin fever, you knew what it meant when your increasingly surly cabin-mate wrapped the axe in newspaper and put it with your name on it under the tree.

It meant you should spend more time at the shared woodpile, or face the prospect of the axe taking on a more menacing meaning.

Nowadays in the era of convenient oil heat and four-bedroom luxury homes in Whitehorse’s

a cold and windy morning and sent outside to move a dump of snow off the driveway.

More pointed gifts include frying pans to encourage more bacon and pancake breakfasts, or garbage bags for old hockey gear that has become a biohazard in the basement.

Then there are the Yukon lifestyle gifts.

I also know a young woman who received a six-pound splitting

made of tofu, the message is clear.

Getting a punch card to Mount McIntyre is even worse. Then a magnet holds it to the fridge, so the whole family can keep track of how many times per week you don’t use it. Eventually spring comes and someone sadly takes down the punchcard, mentally dividing the three times you used it by the number of winter days.

Or even worse if they give you one of those fitness apps for your smartphone. Then you have to return one of your other gifts to buy one of those gadgets that shakes your phone so it says 10,000 steps every day.

However, you can turn this situation to your advantage if you are bold enough. I can confirm an incident where a daughter suggested her dad get more exercise. When she opened one of her presents, it was a fancy new pair of ski boots — in her father’s size.

Another category of gifts gives the message, “I love you, but not enough to spend money on you.”

The classic version of this gift is an old Buckwheat long-sleeve shirt or Dawson City Music Festival t-shirt.

These are positioned as “vintage” gifts, but you know the giver has a drawer of them going back to the foundation of the event.

There is also a green version of this gambit. It involves friends or family who have never been to a climate change march in their lives suddenly joining the movement and telling you that, instead of visiting you, they are giving the planet a gift by not generating the 0.22 tonnes of carbon emissions that a return plane ride to the Yukon would generate. Then they drive their gas-guzzling SUV to Whistler to spend Christmas at a groovier family’s chalet.

In the end, the good news is that even the most passive aggressive gift isn’t what Christmas is about. It’s about slowing down and giving time to your loved ones. So ditch work and your social media screens, get your new snow shovel and calorie-lite plum pudding, and settle in wherever you are for an old-fashioned Yukon Christmas.

Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year!

From Premier Silver and the team

Have a Safe and Merry Christmas.

For your safety, replace any outdoor lights and extension cords that show fraying, cracked sockets or loose connections.

For more electrical safety tips this holiday season, visit ATCOElectricYukon.com.

Tous nos meilleurs vœux de santé et de bonheur pour la nouvelle année!

Le premier ministre Sandy Silver et son équipe

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

yukon-news.com

17

Peewee hockey teams prepare for once-in-a-lifetime trip

I

t’s going to be a busier-than-usual holiday season for 29 hockey players and their families across the Yukon.

The PNW Group boys peewee team and newly-formed Yukon North Stars girls peewee team are making the trek to Ottawa to take part in the Ottawa International Hockey Festival, also known as the Bell Capital Cup, as the winners of the Hockey on the Hill Canada 150 contest.

The contest, put on by Canadian Heritage and the OIHF, brings 32 peewee house league hockey teams to Ottawa to compete in the new Canada 150 division with two teams selected from each province and territory.

Mike Nemeth, head coach for PNW, said entering the contest was a no-brainer after speaking with Pat Tobler, female coordinator for Hockey Yukon coach of the Yukon North Stars.

“We’re looking around and there are four peewee teams in Whitehorse and there is the development program, so that’s only five,” said Nemeth. “We said to each other, ‘I’m pretty sure we got this.’”

Entry in the contest required a brief essay and a 30-second video, so Nemeth got to work.

“I’m not much of a video producer so it wasn’t much,” said

John Hopkins-Hill/Yukon News

The PNW Group boys peewee team, seen here in action against Heat Yukon, is one of two Yukon sides traveling to Ottawa for the Bell Capital Cup. Nemeth. “It was no Hollywood production, that’s for sure.”

If Nemeth’s biggest challenge was the video, Tobler’s was more fundamental.

“When we saw the opportunity and read the contest details, we said, ‘Wow, they’re taking a team from Yukon. A girls team from Yukon? We don’t have a girls team from Yukon,’” said Tobler. “We need to find one quick.”

In his role as female coordinator for both Hockey Yukon and Whitehorse Minor Hockey, Tobler has

been organizing girls-only ice time for the last couple years in Whitehorse, so he had a pretty good idea of who the girls that might be interested and eligible were.

“I just put together a call-out to all the players that I knew of that were playing here in Whitehorse and also a call to all the community minor hockey associations to pass on to their peewee-aged players.”

Interest in the girls team was immediate, and the roster travelling to Ottawa is made up of 11

players from Whitehorse, three from Dawson City and two from Watson Lake.

The new team got to work and put together an application essay and video.

Both teams were notified at the beginning of December they won.

The initial reaction from the boys was disbelief.

“When I told them, a bunch of them didn’t believe me,” said Nemeth. “They all said, ‘You’re joking. This is a prank.’ I think even a couple of the parents thought I was pranking them when I said we won.”

Tobler’s team believed him, but they were just as excited.

“All the girls were very excited when they first learned about the opportunity, and then obviously when they knew they had the chance to go,” said Tobler.

Hockey Yukon has put together girls-only teams in the past to take part in tournaments Outside, and Tobler said they have always been well received.

“A lot of the girls really enjoy playing in an all-girls environment.

So when they heard about this … the girls were tremendously excited,” said Tobler.

Air North scheduled additional flights to transport the teams to the capital, with both teams flying out on Dec. 27 and returning on

Dec. 31.

Both teams are guaranteed three games, with the possibility of more depending on results. One of those guaranteed games for each team will be on the outdoor rink on Parliament Hill.

Despite the late notice, there was no grumbling or complaining about ruined holiday plans.

“People dropped what they were doing without hesitation,” said Nemeth.

Tobler agreed.

“For whatever reason, most people seemed to be available or changed their plans so they could participate in this tournament,” said Tobler.

Aside from their hockey games, both teams are going to attend the Ottawa Senators game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29 and will be touring Parliament during their visit, thanks to MP Larry Bagnell.

Due to renovations, tours will be harder to come by for the next 10 years.

“The next time the kids will be allowed to go there, they’ll be adults,” said Nemeth. “One more addition to the once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Contact John Hopkins-Hill atjohn. hopkinshill@yukon-news.com.

Merry Christmas from all of us...

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yukon-news.com

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

Robert Postma/robertpostma.ca

The sun rises over Annie Lake outside of Whitehorse on Dec. 9.

YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

yukon-news.com

Council of Yukon First Nations Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from A1 Delivery Service Thank You for a great 2016

Merry

sa oner k u ll Y New Year! a y p g p Ha Wishin & s a Christm

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Mummer’s Christmas!

GIFT IDEA

Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année

MARLIN TRAVEL

Gift Card

Frohe Weihnachten

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon

2101A Second Avenue | 867.668.2867 /Faro Travel Services Ltd. DBA Marlin Travel

The City of Whitehorse wishes our residents a safe and healthy holiday season and new year.

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YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Becky Striegler takes a photo of the freshly lit Christmas tree during the Winterval celebration in Whitehorse.

Friday, December 22, 2017

YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

21

Crystal Schick/Yukon News

Two deer cross a street in Riverdale as they wander yard to yard foraging.

a p , i c s t t u n r e e i l p c e y r f m e c l l t a holiday! g n i h s i W Thank you for taking part in another amazing year for ARCHBOULD PHOTOGRAPHY. Hope your 2018 is healthy, happy and prosperous for you and your families Sincerely, Cathie Archbould

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YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

Letters to Santa from Jack Hulland Elementary School’s Grade 1 students

Friday, December 22, 2017

YUKON YULETIDE

yukon-news.com

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YUKON YULETIDE

Friday, December 22, 2017

Tait’s Custom Trailer Sales

s t f c o u r d C o h r r P i s y t t m i l as a u Q

XR SLED

YUKON’S TRAILER SPECIALISTS • RENTAL • SALES • PARTS • SERVICE •

www.taittrailers.com taits@northwestel.net Phone: (867) 334-2194 anytime H o r s e , S t o c k , C a r g o , F l a t - D e c k & R e c re a t i o n a l Tr a i l e r s