What's Up Yukon, November 26, 2026

OUTRUN A BULLET: THE NEW SINGLE FROM ROGER GABRIEL

Roger Gabriel (the B.C.-based, one-time Yukoner) plans to return to the territory with new music and a rejuvenated creative mindset

It’s been a while since Roger Gabriel Plante has talked about himself in an interview, he tells What’s Up Yukon when he answers his phone. The singer-songwriter, who goes by Roger Gabriel, professionally, has been writing songs since he was around 13 years old, growing up in Sudbury, Ontario. Now 53 years old, he considers the Yukon home and spends his time between Whitehorse and Kelowna, B.C., where he is on a work contract these days.

“I moved to the Yukon in 2010,” he says. “While I was there, I never stopped writing. I kept writing my music and I’d play every now and then at shows and little festivals when I first started in the Yukon. Once my name got out a little bit, I started playing more.”

Plante, pronounced the French way and not as “plant,” uses his middle name as his stagename for that exact reason. After so many times being called Roger Plant, including on CBC Radio, it was time to take up a different moniker. The father of three balances music with his family and work, but music has been a constant through many stages of his life and, whatever other commitments he has, that remains a passion of his.

“Eventually, after I learned how to play guitar, I started playing my songs,” Plante says. “I started a band to support my first-

ever album, which is called Roger Gabriel: Wide Open.” The debut album, released in 2009, was produced by Tom McKillip. cont’d on page 3 ...

Manus Hopkins is a journalist

Roger

PHOTO: Courtesy of Roger Gabriel

“We got together and released this album, and in support of the album, we went on tour,” says Plante. “I toured a lot of British Columbia and Alberta in support of the album.”

Plante likens himself to the “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” expression, saying he’s had the opportunity to open for lots of larger-scale country artists across Canada, but has come up short of moving those kinds of figures himself. He’s shared the stage with the likes of Alan Jackson, Ian Tyson and Aaron Pritchett, to name a few.

“I’ve played a lot of the big festival stages with a lot of my peers,” Plante says. “I spend a lot of time, as well, when I’m in my writing phase, writing for an album. I go to Nashville quite often to write with a group of friends of mine, a bunch of cool writers I met years and years ago who I’ve been writing with ever since.”

After Plante landed in the Yukon, he ended up getting married and having kids, making music move to a spot on the backburner for some time as he gradually got busier with family needs.

“I put music on hold for quite a while, close to ten years,” he recalls. “Eventually, as the kids got older, I got out a bit more. I started playing again and put my own band together, to keep myself busy and have a bit of fun with music while still working.”

In 2023, Plante released a single called “Truck for Sale.” Since then, he’s been writing more and more, working up to completing another full-length album. His newest song, “OutRun A Bullet,” was released this November.

“It’s just been a little bit of a learning phase to get back into everything again and get back on-

stage with a band,” he says. “It’s been awhile.”

Plante penned “OutRun A Bullet” with his collaborator Ryan Nicholson, a Nashville-based songwriter. The two each have daughters, and the song title came from

er for the first time leans on the humorous side, Plante wanted the musical end of the tune to be serious. He used a lower tuning to give it a heavier country-rock edge, with hard-hitting drums as well.

a conversation between the two joking about questions they would ask a boyfriend that one of their daughters brought home.

“You start asking the tough questions,” Plante explains.

“You’ve got to put the fear of God in them a little bit. We were just having fun with it.”

Though the idea of a song about meeting a girlfriend’s fath-

“That’s kind of my brand; I’m a country-rock guy,” Plante says. “I love rock and I also like country, so I try to fuse them together a little bit, but never losing my crooner ways.”

Once the song was written, Plante couldn’t wait to lay down the tracks. He contacted his good friend Jay Terrance, who has a home studio in Peachland, B.C.,

and got down to business recording the new single.

“I’m feeling pretty excited, because it’s a strong song,” Plante says. “It’s got a great message and it’s kind of a fun message too.”

Plante has already laid down bed tracks for another four songs. With music now back in the forefront of his life, he’s excited to record, release and perform much more. He plans to move back up to the Yukon and be closer to his kids who still live there, once his contract in Kelowna is up—and, of course, putting together some shows in Whitehorse is high up on the agenda.

“When I first moved there, I realized there wasn’t a lot of the kind of country music I was playing,” he says. “It was more traditional. The artists and songwriters up there are really amazing, and I was listening to the kind of music they were writing and putting out, and I tried to adapt to it, and it changed the way I write a little bit too.”

Plante gives a shout out to Yukon artists Patrick Jacobson, Speed Control and Elijah Bekk, as artists he admires, and praises the welcoming feel of the music community in the North.

“When I first started performing, they really embraced me,” he says. “I lived in the bush in a cabin, half an hour outside of Whitehorse, and whenever I’d come in to do the open-mic nights or shows at the 202, I found the community very embracing, because people had never heard of me before.”

To keep up with Roger Gabriel Plante, follow rogergabrielmusic on Instagram. “OutRun A Bullet” and the rest of Plante’s catalogue are available on all music-streaming platforms. ■

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PHOTO: Courtesy of Roger Gabriel

PHOTO: Sonia Carrie

MADAME TREMBLAY Part Two of Two

Part 1 concluded as Emilie was recalling her first meeting with First Nations women in the Yukon

She recalled how they were “friendly” to her and yet she felt that they couldn’t seem to stop staring at her … admiring her, she thought.

Along with a couple of other miners and some native packers, the couple left for Miller Creek. They poled a boat up the Fortymile River, as far as Moose Creek, and from there they walked over the divide, down into the valley of Miller Creek. The whole trip was some 60 miles.

Through swamp and muskeg, over cold mountain trails above the tree-line, and through firekilled timber areas where every step meant climbing over a fallen, char-black tree trunk, Emilie plodded along in her long skirts. Clouds of mosquitoes hovered constantly about their heads. At one point they became so thirsty they drank muddy water from a sinkhole pushed in by Emilie’s foot. At last they came to the cabin, the home she had travelled 5,000 miles to see. At that moment she could have turned and gone back over the tortuous trail, for she did not like what she saw.

“It was just a log cabin with a sod roof and a small aperture in one of the walls. And Jack said, ‘Emilie, there is your home.’

“We went in. There was only one room with a pole in the middle, supporting the roof. Bottles filtered the light through the little window. The floor was part log and part dirt, and the cabin was repulsively dirty. The foot of the centre pole was covered with a layer, deep and black. It was the miner’s spittoon,” Emilie’s husband explained.

“You see, Emilie, when the miners are lying down on their bunks, tired and exhausted after the day’s work, they don’t take the trouble to get up and spit. They aim at the pole, where they know they will not hit anyone.”

Somehow Emilie cleaned up the cabin. Jack Tremblay felt himself to be the most fortunate man in all the Yukon; and every miner in the district came to admire his wife. Many of them predicted she would never stay.

But Jack and Emilie were very much in love. They teased each other gaily and ate their meals by candlelight while, outside the cabin, the endless wilderness stretched out all around them. But still, it must have been a lonely time for the young bride. As yet, she spoke only French and so could talk to no one but Jack.

In the spring of l895, however, a Mr. and Mrs. Day and their children moved into the valley. Emilie visited them often and began to learn a bit of English. By the end of that summer, Jack had mined enough gold to take them “Outside” for a holiday. And a good thing it was that they were leaving. Their sup-

plies had run so low by summer’s end that they were eating beans three times a day.

On this trip they boarded a small sternwheeler, which took them down the Yukon River to St. Michael, Alaska. From there, a ship took them to Vancouver where they boarded a train for the East. Emilie, so happy to see her family again, had many stories to tell them. The Tremblays did not come back to the Yukon until the spring of l898. Emilie’s mother, who had always opposed her daughter’s desire to return to the Yukon, died suddenly, and the couple made plans to head north again. But now things would go differently, because in l898 the Klondike Gold Rush had reached its most feverish stage.

As Jack and Emilie came over the mountain passes again, they witnessed the terrible snowslide that killed 74 people. Emilie’s cousin, travelling with them, died at Lake Bennett and two other relatives became very sick. Such was the Trail of ‘98. It had been much easier the first time, when they had the whole route to themselves. Now it was clogged with thousands of goldseekers, all frantic to reach Dawson City.

Using their wilderness experience, the Tremblays reached the Klondike without mishap; but, like everyone else, they were too late to stake a rich claim. All the dry goods they had brought in to sell turned out to be almost worthless; thousands of disillusioned stampeders were selling their outfits for next to nothing. And their Miller Creek property had been considered abandoned and taken over by others.

For the next 15 years, Jack Tremblay worked for wages on the rich creeks around Dawson. When he had the time and money, he prospected for gold but never did find a good spot. He later bought some claims on Bonanza Creek and mined there for several years, barely making expenses. In l906, he hit a rich pocket that one the previous owners had missed, and that year he and Emilie went on a trip to Europe.

They travelled first class, and in France they stayed with a wealthy Klondiker who had bought a huge castle with his gold. The Tremblays even visited the Pope in Rome. On

her return, Madame Tremblay, as folks called her now, was to say she preferred the miners of Dawson to the high society of Europe.

In 1913, she opened her famous shop in the downstairs of their home at the corner of Third and King Street in Dawson. The building and her sign are still there, now restored to original condition by Parks Canada. She ran the store for 30 years. Contrary to legend, she brought only one shipment of gowns and exotic perfumes from Paris; after that, the store mainly carried ladies’ wear and novelties.

Jack Tremblay died in l935, having earned the title of Grand Old Man of the Yukon.

Madame Tremblay took part in many social activities in Dawson. She formed the Society of the Ladies of the Golden North, was a member of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, and in l937 she received a commemorative medal of the coronation of King George VI.

In l940, she married another miner, Louis Lagrois. She closed her store and, with her new husband, lived in a cabin at the junction of the Bonanza and Eldorado creeks (Grand Forks). When Emilie turned 75 (and Louis, 80), they moved to a boarding house in Victoria, B. C. She died of cancer in l949, and Louis passed away in l956.

Madame Tremblay had let it be known that she was the first white woman to cross the Chilkoot Pass, and she became widely celebrated for this. However, a Mrs. Beaumont crossed the Pass in l892 and went on to Forty Mile. Before that “sporting women,” as they were called, came in over the same route on their way to the new mining camps.

But it can be said that Madame Tremblay was one of the first white women to settle in the Yukon. She was greatly loved by the miners and performed many good works in her life, especially for the sick. Only age and poor health could have induced her to leave her adopted land

In Whitehorse, they’ve named a school after her and, of course, her old store in Dawson is now a tourist attraction. Her story is one of romance and courage and a kind of downright goodness; and you could say she lived a rich, interesting life here in the Yukon. ■

PHOTO: Submitted by Sam Holloway

ETHE CONTRIBUTIONS OF YUKON FRANCOPHONE WOMEN

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Les Essentielles. For this occasion, short biographies of Yukon francophone women will be presented throughout the year in the pages of our paper. Thank you to l’Association francoyukonnaise, l’émission Rencontres, and l’Aurore boréale for their collaboration in this project.

Edith Bélanger

dith Bélanger was born in 1975 in Mont-Laurier, Quebec. When she was 13 years old, the family moved to Radisson, in Mid-Northern Quebec.

Edith came to the Yukon for the first time in the summer of 1995 and came back permanently in 2000 after completing her university studies in leisure, culture and tourism.

Edith was a French monitor and then worked at the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) as the manager of the cultural sector, the manager of tourism and, since 2019, the director of economic development.

From 2007 to 2014, she did contract work in the field of arts and culture, including the coordination of the Rotary Music Festival, the coordination of artistic and cultural events and medal presentation ceremonies at the 2012 Arctic Winter Games, the coordination of the Cranberry Christmas Fair, and she also worked with a Yukon artist agent.

Edith sat on various boards of directors, including the Kluane to Chilkat International Bike Relay, the Association francoyukonnaise, the French-Canadian Cultural Federation, the Yukon Arts Centre and the Yukon Francophone School Board.

Edith loves outdoor activities such as whitewater canoeing, canoe camping, biking, bicycle touring, camping, hiking, crosscountry skiing, snowmobiling and hunting. Travelling also represents an important part of her life as it allows her to explore new places, discover different cultures, taste various local foods and meet other people.

Edith arrived in the Yukon attracted by grandiose scenery and infinite opportunities for outdoor activities. She has also discovered artistic and cultural wealth, established deep friendships and started her family.

KKarine Bélanger

arine Bélanger was born in 1973 in Mont-Laurier, Quebec.

In 1992, Karine came to the Yukon to work as a French monitor at École ÉmilieTremblay for one year. Karine returned to Quebec to study at the Université of Sherbrooke, in elementary and secondary education, after two years of studying civil engineering. She came back to the Yukon every summer during her studies to work as a lifeguard and pool manager.

After receiving her diploma, she came back to settle in the territory in 1999. A Yukon teacher since 2000, Karine has specialized in experiential programs over the last 13 years. As part of the PASE 9 and FACES 10 programs that encompass social sciences and natural sciences 9 and 10, she finds ways to include school competencies during land expeditions.

Karine offered, among others, canoeing classes, especially for women. She liked to see participants discover their skills and develop their confidence on the water. She had the opportunity to offer classes with several allies, including her daughter Sophie, sister Edith and niece Lia.

Karine is a very caring woman. Her friendships are important, and people feel welcome in her home or during outdoor activities. In her free time, we can find her paddling rivers, biking and hiking trails, cross-country skiing and exploring the Yukon backcountry. She is always happy to share a meal or camping advice!

In the Yukon, Karine discovered a love for nature, a close relationship with the territory’s lifestyle, and the ability to live in the moment.

Kristiane Sormany-Albert

Kristiane Sormany-Albert was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1978.

Kristiane and her family arrived in the Yukon on Jan. 1, 1988. She went into Grade 4 at École Émilie-Tremblay and became the first graduate of the school in 1996. From grades 10 to 12, she was the only student in her class.

She volunteered at francophone cultural events such as sugar shacks and potluck dinners. From grades 7 to 12, she also worked at the Garderie du petit cheval blanc daycare.

She completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in French at the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick, in 2000. She completed her master’s degree in education in 2012 and, in 2017, became an instructional consultant at the Conseil scolaire francophone de Colombie-Britannique.

Her enthusiasm and determination have earned her several awards: the Canada Day Youth Award for her community work, a writing prize, a French studies bursary, the Audrey McLaughlin Bursary for finishing at the top of her class, an Academic Merit Scholarship from the University of Moncton, and the Women’s Directorate Award for her decision to finish high school at the French school.

In the Yukon, Kristiane discovered the wealth of francophone communities in a minority setting. It is in this unique territory that she found a community with strong roots, allowing her to build her identity as a proud francophone and passionate teacher. The Yukon offered her an environment where she could thrive and where she learned the importance of solidarity and resilience.

Laurence Rivard

Laurence Rivard was born in 1993 in Val-d’Or, Quebec, and spent her entire childhood there.

Laurence was president of the student council and a student representative on her school’s governing board, then vicepresident of the Student Association on the Val-d’Or Campus of the Cégep de l’AbitibiTémiscamingue, and vice-president of the Biology Student Association at Université Laval.

Laurence and her partner lived in Montreal. When he lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple thought it would be a good opportunity to go and spend a year in the Yukon. When they arrived in Whitehorse in 2021, they immediately fell in love with the place and didn’t want to leave.

Laurence worked for a few months at the Association franco-yukonnaise and then landed the position of executive director of the group Les Essentielles. Buying the Essentielles building is one of her proudest achievements during her years with the group. This will ensure that the organization continues to operate long into the future. In the fall of 2024, she became the executive director at the Yukon Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Since her arrival in the Yukon, Laurence has accomplished many things she never imagined she would do: run a half marathon, coach a team for the Canadian francophone Games, be an extra in a documentary on burlesque, organize a solidarity gathering with Palestinian women and a retreat for francophone women.

In both her personal and professional life, the Yukon seems able to satisfy her need for new experiences. ■

Column with

Angélique Bernard

Angélique Bernard is a translator, communications specialist, radio host, writer and community volunteer. She was the Commissioner of Yukon from 2018 to 2023.

PHOTO: Lia Hale

PHOTO: Annie Maheux

PHOTO: Courtesy of Archives Aurore boréale

PHOTO: Sarah Xenos / Radio-Canada

ART SHOWS

Thu Nov 27 Opening Reception

- Shared Territories 5:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery

Celebrate the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Recipients, brings together past and present YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Recipients from Yukon and BC First Nations.

https://yukonartscentre.com/

Thu Nov 27 Opening Reception

- Dark Waters by David Garneau 5:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Rocks and books and bones, shadows and light, and the balance between these things and presented through the dual lens of publication and a touring exhibition.

https://yukonartscentre.com/

Thu Nov 27 Opening Reception

- Superbloom: A Climate

Resilience Project 5:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Inspired by the fireweed blooming like a river in Ethel Lake following the fire, community members created this visual art project and anthology to explore the resilience inherent in the land and in our communities.

https://yukonartscentre.com/

Until Nov 29 Aurora Blossoms –Celebration of Colour by Isabelle Haggerty Arts Underground An exploration of contrast, an interplay between the abstract and the tangible, the wild and the serene.

https://www.artsunderground.ca/ exhibition-archive/aurora-blossoms

Until Nov 29 WIP Winter in Progress by Krystle Silverfox Arts Underground WIP pays homage to the processes of art creation, snow days, and never really knowing when a painting is complete. https://www.artsunderground.ca/ exhibition-archive/wip-winter-inprogress

Until Nov 30 2025 Longlist Yukon Prize for Visual Arts Arts Underground View work from artists Michel Gignac, Megan Guná Jensen, Jeffrey Langille, Matthew Lien, Joyce Majiski, Helen O’Conner, and Omar Reyna. https://www.artsunderground.ca/

Nov/Dec Shared Territories

YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery

Celebrate the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Recipients, brings together past and present YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Recipients from Yukon and BC First Nations. https://yukonartscentre.com/

Nov/Dec Dark Waters by David Garneau YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Rocks and books and bones, shadows and light, and the balance between these things and presented through the dual lens of publication. https://yukonartscentre. com/

Nov/Dec Superbloom: A Climate Resilience Project YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Inspired by the fireweed blooming like a river in Ethel Lake following the fire, community members created this visual art project. https:// yukonartscentre.com/

LIVE MUSIC

Thu Nov 27 Steel Cut Oats

- Small Resistance 8:00 PM Yukon Theatre An evening of indie pop and local legend. Steel Cut Oats is a three-piece, female-fronted band, along with Daniel Janke – Small Resistance performing songs from Songs of Small Resistance (2022). https:// yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule/ steel-cut-oats-w-small-resistance

Fri Nov 28 Les Hay Babies –Tintamarre! 7:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre As part of Coup de Cœur Francophone 2025, sparkling, multifaceted folk-rock for over a decade, renewing their musical proposition with each new release. https://yukonartscentre. com/whats-on/les-hay-babiestintamarre/

Fri Nov 28 Starlight Soiree 7:30 PM Kopper King & Neighbours Pub Featuring Steel Cut Oats, Disclosure Party, Pink House, 3 bands, 1/4 Moon, and YOU adds up to 1 fine evening of music and dancing

Sun Nov 30 The Bells of Christmas 8:00 AM Trinity Lutheran Church A festive concert featuring handbells, carols with Sonja Anderson and Ben Johnston-Urey and more! Refreshments to follow! RSVP: TLC@northwestel.net

Fri Dec 5 It’s a Mystery Show 8:00 PM 98 Hotel Who is it going to be? You will have to come and find out for yourself!

Fri Dec 5 + Sat Dec 6 YCC Winter

Showcase: Blue Spruce 7:30 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Featuring 3 of our choirs: Confluence Chorus, Persephone Singers and The Neptunes with support from Alluvia Voices. The world premier of Blue Spruce Carol along with words by local storyteller, Sharon Shorty and music by Ben Johnston-Urey. https://www. yukonchoir.ca/upcoming-events

Sun Dec 7 Festive Strings 2:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Classical favourites with a winter or holiday theme, performed by our local professionals and advanced students. https:// whitehorseconcerts.com

Thu Dec 11 Pop Choir Christmas 7:00 PM MacBride Museum A sparkling celebration filled with festive favorites, soaring harmonies, and joyful energy that will warm your heart and kick off your holiday season in style! Membership required. https:// whatsupyukon.events/d45fbe

Fri Dec 12 Johnny Pogue & The Colleens - A Christmas Special 8:00 PM 98 Hotel Lively Irish & East Coast music to get you dancing - Christmas Edition!

Monthly

First Saturday Folk Society Coffeehouse 6:30 PM Whitehorse United Church. an all ages event that provides a venue for audiences to enjoy emerging local performers. Bring cash to buy coffee, tea, and tasty treats!

Weekly

Tuesdays

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Wednesdays

Whitewater Wednesday 7:00 PM 98 Hotel

Intermediate Jam - Bluegrass & Old Time 7:00 PM Whitehorse Legion bi-weekly Hosted by the Yukon Bluegrass Society Karaoke 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Thursdays

Muster Point 6:30 PM Baked Cafe Muster Point live and featuring a rotating lineup of local guest artists.

Ginger Jam 7:00 PM Lefty’s Well

Fiddle Night 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

Fridays

Live Music 6:00 PM Tony’s Pasta & Seafood House

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Live Music 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

Saturdays

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Sundays Open Jam 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

GENERAL EVENTS

Mon Nov 24 MCY Winter Bazaar 10:00 AM Multicultural Centre of the Yukon Community donations, toys, clothing and much more for anyone in need! Come by and pick up what you need for the festivities this season! All items are free! Mon Nov 24 Return to Falls Film Tour 5:00 PM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Shares Elder Betty Ross’s emotional story, revealing the trauma and resilience of Indigenous children.https:// kwanlindunculturalcentre.com/ Mon Nov 24 Life Drawing Sessions 6:30 PM Arts Underground Join in this opportunity to practice your life drawing of a live model in a casual setting. The model will be guided through short and long poses.

Build skills, practice, learn from others, and draw from life! https:// www.artsunderground.ca/

Mon Nov 24 Trivia Night

(Members & Signed in Guests)

7:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Topics- Movember, World War 1, Famous Canadian Battles, Sports, This month in History, General Info. Play inperson or from home, bring an electronic device to play on. Cash prizes (in-person only)

Tue Nov 25 Newcomer Event 10:00 AM Multicultural Centre of the Yukon New to the Yukon or Canada? Come meet some new people and learn about services and resources available to you!

Tue Nov 25 Design Resin Holiday Ornaments 6:30 PM Ricky All Day Grill Whitehorse Design and pour 3 unique resin ornaments inspired by the holidays. Perfect to add to your tree or give as a gift! https:// whatsupyukon.events/h4b

Wed Nov 26 Visual Meet-Up 5:30

PM Whitehorse Public Library A relaxed, artist-driven gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Yukon artists, share your recent work, and receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment.

Wed Nov 26 Trans Awareness Week - A Story We All Know

+ The Matrix 6:00 PM Yukon Theatre A double bill featuring both local and classic Transgender art! A Story We All Know - Part 2000s period piece, part delusional fanfiction, part homage to Trans icons. The Matrix - the cult classic that redefined both cinema and queer symbolism. https:// yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule

Wed Nov 26 Embossed Tin Ornaments Workshop 6:00 PM Arts Underground Learn how to create low relief, high relief, rounded relief and engraving on recycled tin. https://www. artsunderground.ca/events

Wed Nov 26 An Evening of Conversation with Waubeshig Rice & Ivan Coyote 7:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Waubgeshig Rice of the Wasauksing First Nation, author of the short story collection Midnight Sweatlodge and the novels Legacy, Moon of the Crusted Snow, and Moon of the Turning Leaves. https:// yukonartscentre.com

Thu Nov 27 Understanding Finance for Small Businesses & Non-Profits Workshop 9:00 AM NorthLight Innovation Learn how to read statements, monitor budgets, and collaborate effectively with finance staff, boards, and funders. https://whitehorsechamber.ca/

Thu Nov 27 YTM Speaker Series

- Kate Fisher 5:30 PM Yukon Transportation Museum Join one of the authors of Tales, Trials and Triumphs: Echoes of Atlin for an engaging and enlightening talk on the transportation history of Atlin, B.C. Admission by donation - light refreshments provided.

Thu Nov 27 Paint n Sip: A Yukon Winter Scene 6:30 PM

Ricky’s All Day Grill Whitehorse Guided painting of a cozy Yukon winter landscape. Ticket includes instruction, supplies + 1 drink https://whatsupyukon. events/4d2e92

Thu Nov 27 Small mammals make a big difference: lecture 7:00 PM Whitehorse Public Library

Bring your questions about mice, voles, shrews, squirrels and pika to the first of our winter wildlife lectures. yukon.ca/wild-discoveries

Fri Nov 28 Angel Investing 101 5:00 PM NorthLight Innovation

A hands-on seminar with experienced investors who will provide workbooks, templates and checklists to explore the steps required to become a successful angel investor. yukonventureangels.ca

Fri Nov 28 Seniors’ Soiree

- 2025 6:00 PM Kwanlin Dun

Cultural Centre A festive evening filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, and community spirit. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner prepared by Belly of the Bison, complemented by live music from The Rubies.

Fri Nov 28 - Sun Nov 30 Board

Game Convention - DEFCON 4 6:00 PM The Guild Hall A relaxed three-day board game convention - for all levels of experience with board games, offering a large library of games, dedicated play areas, multiple board game teachers and a chance to meet other local enthusiasts. http://www. defcon4.ca

Sat Nov 29 Winterpine Market

2025 10:00 AM Whistle Bend Elementary School Concession goodies for sale. Come support your many local artisans! Doors open at 9:30am for seniors and those requiring assistance

Sat Nov 29 Explore - Learn

- Connect 1:00 PM Yukon

Transportation Museum A fun and welcoming afternoon, meet new people, share stories, and build community connections. For more info call 668-6535.

Sat Nov 29 Linocut Card

Making Workshop 5:30 PM Arts

Underground Make your own holiday cards and learn the print process using linoleum blocks, cutting tools, and an old school printing press. https://www. artsunderground.ca/events

Sat Nov 29 Warren Miller’s SNOCIETY 6:00 PM CSSC Mercier Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon https://www.alpineyukon. com/

Sat Nov 29 Christmas Kickoff

7:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre A fun, fabulous, family friendly Christmas show, featuring VA band, dancers, live music, fun dancing, and wonderful story telling. https://yukonartscentre.com

Mon Dec 1 Basecamp Pitches

6:00 PM NorthLight Innovation Investors, ecosystem partners, entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures to a panel of investors, community partners, and peers, a three-day investment readiness program/workshop. https:// yukonventureangels.ca

Tue Dec 2 Adult ESL

Conversation Club 5:30 PM Whitehorse Public Library A FREE language exchange and practice speaking English with games and activities

Tue Dec 2 Make your Own

Leg Lamp Holiday Workshop

6:30 PM Ricky’s All Day Grill Whitehorse Bring a little A Christmas Story magic into your holidays with your very own mini leg lamp. https://whatsupyukon. events/228303

Wed Dec 3 Yukon Wildlife Trivia 7:00 PM Whitehorse Curling Club yukon.ca/wild-discoveries

Wed Dec 3 Craft Night at the Cinema - Wicked: For Good 7:30 PM Yukon Theatre Lights will be kept low so you can stitch, knit, purl, frog, while enjoying the second installment of the Wicked saga. https://yukonfilmsociety.com/

Thu Dec 4 Resin Creations: Sparkle & Shine 6:30 PM Ricky’s All Day Grill Whitehorse Design sparkling earrings, ornaments, or pendants that make perfect gifts — or keep them for yourself. https://whatsupyukon.events/kyy

Fri Dec 5 CALM MiniConferences 9:00 AM Best

Western Gold Rush Inn A full day packed with hands-on training, ample learning opportunities and brainstorming with like-minded individuals. https://uniontraining. ca/events

Fri Dec 5 - Sat Dec 19 Spruce

Bog - Christmas Boutique 10:00

AM Old Fire Hall Annual Christmas market, shop for that special someone on your list, choose from hand crafted items by local artisans.

Fri Dec 5 Winterval Santa Parade & Tree Lighting 6:00

PM Whitehorse Main Street

Whitehorse Winterval Santa Parade and Tree Lighting and culminating in the City of Whitehorse Tree Lighting around 7pm at the end of the parade!

Sat Dec 6 2025 YFL 13th

Triennial Convention 8:00 AM Best Western Gold Rush Inn https://yukonfed.com/events/ Sat Dec 6 First Nations

Christmas Craft Fair 9:30 AM Elijah Smith Elementary School. Traditional artwork (carving, beading, etc) homemade baking, silent auction, raffle baskets, and more!For more info call 667-5992

Sat Dec 6 + Sun Dec 7 Auditions

- The Birds 10:00 AM The Guild Hall Auditions for Yvette Nolan’s delightful and cheeky play The Birds directed by Jennifer Dawn Bishop. Email ytguildhall@gmail. com for more info

Sat Dec 6 The Great Cookie

Walk 10:00 AM Whitehorse United Church Choose from many kinds of homemade festive cookies! Also jams, jellies, antipasto and mincemeat for your holiday table. Call 667-2989 for more information.

Sat Dec 6 solstice haiku discussion group 2:00 PM TBD a monthly meeting to discuss haiku poetry https://kjmunro1560. wordpress.com/

Mon Dec 8 - Thu Dec 18 The Fireweed Winter Market - 12 Days of Christmas 10:00 AM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre A local indoor marketplace offering Yukon hand-crafted and grown products from over 100 local vendors. Find unique art and crafts, farm products, specialty foods, preserves, spices, baked goods, body products, photography, books, and much more. https://fireweedmarket.ca/

Monthly

First Thursdays Pinetree Quilters 7:00 PM Whitehorse United Church.

2nd Monday Ukulele Group 6:00

PM Golden Age Society salvin@ northwestel.net

2nd Monday Whitehorse Slow Jam 7:00 PM Golden Age Society

Last Thursdays Repair Cafe 6:00

PM Yukonstruct Makespace Bring it in and see if it is fixable using soldering irons, multimeters, and other tools. This easy introduction to electronics and small home appliance repair is a useful evening of DIY learning that you can take home.

2nd Thursday Music Trivia 7:00

PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Come on out and test your music knowledge! Teams of no more than 6 people.

Last Friday Pioneer Women of Yukon 12:00 PM Golden Age Society

2nd & 4th Sundays Grade 8 –12 High School Youth Group 6:00 PM Mountainview Church A positive place for your teen to hang out on the weekend. Take part in games and activities, learn about the Bible, and deepen faith. https:// mountainview.church/connect/ youth Monthly

Weekly

Mondays

Mtg: Competitive Commander 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Yukoners living with Wildlife

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Capturing

Women’s Bible Study 6:00

PM Women’s Bible Study. Refreshments are served followed by the study. For more info check out www.mountainview.church or email rachel@mountainview.

church.

Ukulele Group 6:00 PM Golden Age Society

Euchre - For Members and Signed in Guests 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254

Euchre a trick-taking card game for four players, two on each team, As a member you

Beginner ASL Class & Social

Hang 6:15 Queer Yukon SocietyThe Cache

Drawing Club 6:30 PM Arts

Underground Join like minded artists in the studio for a free drawing club. Bring your own supplies and be creative in a group environment. https://www. artsunderground.ca/events

Tuesdays

Common Threads Prayer Shawl

Ministry 9:30 AM Church of the Northern Apostles.

Bridge 12:00 PM Golden Age Society

Café de l’amitié 2:00 PM Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) Le Café de l’amitié est un rendez-vous hebdomadaire et une occasion de rassemblement pour les francophones de 50 ans et plus.

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer Yukon Society The Cache

Language Skills for Ukrainians

5:15 PM Yukon Learn A discussion group workshop provides a relaxed and friendly environment where learners can practise and learn English conversation skills.

Weekly Shuffleboard Tournament

6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 For members and signed in guests. A double knockout style competition and games are limited to 6 ends or 15 minutes

Chess Club 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles Love Chess? Want to learn? Looking for Competition? Join us!

SuperSmash Bros, Mtg: Commander 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles 10 Card Crib - Members & Signed

In Guests 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Whether you are a seasoned crib player or a beginner, come play! Learn tips and tricks and have some fun! https:// bit.ly/3KP0B5s

Wednesdays

Keep Fit 10:30 AM Church of the Northern Apostles.Come stretch and breathe with us!

Multicultural Connection Group

11:00 AM Multicultural Centre of the Yukon – MCY Connect with other parents and caregivers, learn about parenting in different cultures. A free lunch program for immigrants and refugee families. Lunch and transportation provided. Call 3321803 for more info.

Spanish Conversation 12:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Call 333-6081 for more info.

Sew & Tell All – Elders Hangout

1:00 PM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Facilitated by Kwanlin Dün

Elder-in-Residence Shirley Smith, everyone welcome. Feel free to join and start a beading project or work on something that you’ve already started! For more info email culturalprograms@kdcc.ca

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache Drop-in Sewing 4:00 PM Skookum

Jim Friendship Centre Facilitated by Donna Norman, bring your own projects, connect with others, and finish those works-in-progress. Open, welcoming space to sew, share, and create together.

Texas Hold’ Em 6:00 PM

Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 For sign in members and guests.

Bragging rights!

Mtg: Modern, Warhammer Age of

Sigmar 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Thursdays

Public Speaking TrainingToastmasters 12:00 PM Decora

Guests are always welcome. There are many roles to learn at Toastmasters. Practice 2 minute table topics

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache

Pathfinder Role-Playing Game for Youth 3:30 PM Whitehorse

Public Library Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Find out what role playing games are all about! Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are always welcome.

Mtg: casual Commander, Warhammer 40k & Kill Team 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Mountainview Church

Community Group 7:00 PM 16 years or older? Mountainview Church Community Group! We’ll share some snacks and talk about what the bible has to say about discipleship.

Fridays

Coffee & Chat 11:00 AM Golden

Age Society Coffee and chat is a way to connect with your community, develop friendships, and have fun.

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache

Mtg: Pioneer, YuGiOh Casual 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Saturdays

Yukon Amateur Radio

Association Coffee Discussion Group 8:45 AM A&W Restaurant

Hams from outside the Yukon and those interested are welcome to join us in this casual event.

Cribbage - Members and Signed in Guests 2:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Masks are mandatory. Members must have a valid 2021 membership and they may sign in 2 guests MAX. Pokemon, Mtg: Youth Magic, Lorcana 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Sundays

Mountainview Church Sunday Service 9:30 AM Church In The Building 9:30 AM, 11AM or Church At Home 7 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM Mountainviewwhitehorse.ca/Watch

Anglican Worship Service 10:00

AM Christ Church Cathedral.

Clothing Room 10:00 AM Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene Free of charge to anyone and everyone

Whitehorse United Church Worship Service 10:30 AM A caring community of faith, based on a foundation of Biblical teaching and spiritual truth

Secondhand Clothing Bizarre 2:00 PM Whitehorse Seventh-Day Adventist Church Clean clothes needed and donations accepted if in good condition. Please call before dropping clothes off and for more info 633-3463.

Sunday Gatherings 3:00 PM The Northern Collective Church The Gathering (Anglican Indigenous Service) 5:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral A celebration of faith, reconciliation, and hospitality.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Sat Nov 29 Pop-Up Youth Choir

10:00 AM CSSC Mercier & Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon Try out the Yukon Youth Choir and have a lot of fun.

Open to young singers aged 13 to 25. https://www.yukonchoir.ca/ upcoming-events

Sat Nov 29 The Great Stocking Experiment - Decorate stockings 12:00 PM Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre Santa doesn’t just visit homes on Christmas Eve, he drops by museums too, come decorate some stockings and pick them up after Christmas to see what Santa brought.

Sat Dec 6 Special Guest Story Time - Santa! 10:30 AM Whitehorse Public Library The North Pole’s most famous resident shares this season’s stories of sharing and surprise!

Sat Dec 6 Santa Photos 12:00 PM Decora Fun professional photos, a great opportunity to get your Christmas portraits and support a wonderful organization.

Sat Dec 6 Family Gingerbread House Holiday Experience! 3:00 PM Ricky’s All Day Grill Whitehorse Enjoy the festive music, decorations, tips for creative decorating, and make memories - the best gift there is! https:// whatsupyukon.events/9a2a0b

Sun Dec 7 Kids Kreate 1:00 PM Yukon Arts Centre YAC Every Kids Kreate activity is specially tailored to respond to the materials and methods featured in our current exhibition and is taught by local artists.

Sun Dec 7 Santa Drop-in 4:00 PM Yukon Gymnastics Centre A special holiday event! Geared towards little ones (under the age of 9) and their families. Pick up tickets in advance at the club.

Monthly

1st & 3rd Saturdays Grades 5 - 7 Junior Youth Group 7:00 PM Mountainview Church Passionate about giving kids opportunities to

have fun & make new friends, while teaching them about Jesus & His great love for our world https:// mountainview.church/connect/youth

2nd and 4th Saturdays Grade 8 - 12 High School Youth Group 7:00 PM Mountainview Church A positive place for your teen to hang out on the weekend. Take part in games and activities, learn about the Bible, and deepen faith. https:// mountainview.church/connect/youth

Weekly

Tuesdays

Parent-Child Mother Goose 10:30 AM The Child Development Centre Celebrates the power and pleasure of songs, rhymes and oral stories. Bonding time with your little one or to learn for later.

Thursdays

Transformations Along The Chu Nikwän 1:30 PM Yukon Visitor Information Centre Join Amber for a free walking tour every Thursday along the Whitehorse waterfront to learn about the Yukon First Nations people and the history of the Yukon.

Pathfinder Role-Playing Game for Youth 3:30 PM Whitehorse Public Library Youth 11-17 are invited to join, no experience necessary.

Saturdays Science Saturdays 11:00 AM Whitehorse Public Library Free Drop-In Science and STEM Activities - no need to registerFor children to compete with a parent or guardian!

MEETINGS

Tue Nov 25 2025 Polarettes AGM 6:00 PM Yukon Gymnastics Centre

All active members are invited to join us for our Polarettes AGM as we reflect on last season & elect directors. Info: ed@polarettes.org

Wed Nov 26 Yukon Pride Committee AGM 5:30 PM Yukon Employees Union Attend in-person or by zoom, agenda items include elections and discussion of the 2026 budget and priorities. RSVP to PSACWhitehorseRO@psacafpc.com

Mon Dec 1 Alpine Club of Canada - Yukon AGM 7:00 PM Winterlong Brewing Co. Annual General Meeting and Slideshow Night! Our headline slideshow will be from legendary local climber Eric Allen talking about the history of rock climbing in the territory, including details of some of his epic first ascents, like Mt Monolith in the Tombstones.

Weekly

Tuesdays

Rendezvous Rotary 6:30 PM Tony’s Pasta and Seafood House Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Tony’s Pasta and Seafood. Come and join us for fun, and fellowship.

Thursdays

Toastmasters Decora 12:00 PM Sundogs Toastmasters Club. The club is open to all interested parties and we provide constructive feedback to help develop public speaking skills.

Monthly

First Monday Klondike Snowmobile Association Board Meeting 7:00 PM Sport Yukon https://ksa.yk.ca/coming-events/ First Monday Yukon Amateur Radio Association Monthly Meeting 7:00 PM EMO Building Discussion of club business. Prospective hams are welcome.

Third Thursday Yukon AntiPoverty Coalition Monthly Meeting 5:00 PM Lewis Hall (Whitehorse United Church). For more information: 334-9317 or info@yapc.ca. Everyone is welcome.

Third Thursday ASAY board monthly meeting 7:00 PM Sport Yukon

ONLINE EVENTS

Wed Nov 26 Bootstrapping Your Business 11:30 AM Online Nick Quain, seasoned founder and VP of Venture at Invest Ottawa, for a fast-paced, practical session on how successful entrepreneurs build and scale startups from the ground up—without deep pockets.

Tuesdays

Anglican Men’s Remote Chat 10:00 AM Zoom don_cheeseman@ msn.com for the link. Regular churchgoer or just curious, this is a welcoming, no-pressure time for conversation

AA Juste Pour Aujourd’hui (C) 5:00 PM, Zoom ID 833 9614 4061 mot de passe 0 ou telephone 1-587-328-1099

Restorative Online Healing Circles 7:30 PM Online Check-in, Q&A, connect and feel the results. No experience necessary. Register online, or call 335-0078 or email alison@alisonzeidler.com for more info.

Thursdays

AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:30 PM Online Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 pc 6y2K8a or phone 1-587-328-1099

Fridays

AA Yukon Unity Group @ 1:30 pm (O) Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 passcode 6y2K8a or phone 1-587328-1099

Saturdays

AA Detox Meeting (OM, NS) 1:00 PM Online For Zoom Room address call 334-7693. AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:00 PM Online Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 pc 6y2K8a or phone 1-587-3281099

Sundays

AA Yukon Unity Group 1:00 PM Online By zoom – Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 pc 6y2K8a or by phone Phone 1-587-238-1099

WAS IT FLUKE OR FATE?

What happened next was a combination of a whirlwind and a science fiction novel …

When we made our offer to purchase, to the bank, we also took our lawyer’s advice to only offer them exactly what Al owed them. We knew this amount because of the paperwork and foreclosure notice. The bank immediately said “No”! So we offered a little more. “We’d like to see a little more than this,” was the bank’s reply. We upped our offer a little bit again and waited. Hopeful. Anxious. Cautiously optimistic.

We knew that if our offer was accepted, we’d have a very tight time frame to do a lot of important things to get a mortgage and insurance. We’d need to get a conditional occupancy, first and foremost, and that would mean doing some important upgrades to the house in order to pass. We would have two weeks after the offer was accepted where the offer would sit in the Clerk’s Office at the Court House. That was our Achilles heel. Anyone with $5 and valid picture ID could go in to see our agreed offer and then put in their own sealed bid, which, if it was significantly higher than ours, the judge would have no choice but to accept. We waited. We planned. We hoped and prayed. What happened next, no one could have dreamt in their wildest imagination.

We got an accepted offer. Yay! We could buy the house! We’d have two weeks before it left the Clerk’s Office to go for court approval and, if we were successful in court, another 21 days to complete the deal (get the house up to code and conditional occupancy, plus get the mortgage approved and property insurance in place). But we had everything ready to go … What a fantastic day! Little did we know that the day would not end that way.

That evening, we were sitting on the couch, celebrating and watching a hockey game, when during the 1st intermission, the announcers started having their phones light up. The NBA was shutting games down in the middle of them and sending entire stadiums of people home. What was to be made of this? The next day, the entire world shut down because of Covid!

This caused some significant problems for our purchase. The court shut down (good, no one could see our offer), but then the bank wanted to suspend the sale until after Covid was over, because we couldn’t get into court. The building inspector couldn’t come out to inspect. The realtor started getting calls from people down south who would wire the cash and move in immediately to get away from Covid. We had to

move very fast and be very strategic or we were going to lose it all, plus potentially be out of a place to live and also our downpayment if we couldn’t get everything together and close in time.

I called the realtor and said, “Just remind folks from down south that, until we own the property, we are still tenants, and as such they cannot evict us immediately. Also, my lawyer tells me that with all of the confusion regarding Al’s stuff versus ours, he can tie the eviction up in court until Christmas. Tell them to go ahead, buy the property, then get a hotel room for the next nine months.”

I called our lawyer and explained the situation with the bank. Our lawyer and the lawyer for the bank called Justice Veale, who was in charge of the file, and

Installing the deck railing

asked him for a hearing over the phone. Justice Veale accepted and granted the purchase. Great! But it shaved well over a week off of our time to get things together for the completion. And, of course, we were trying to self-isolate, so I had to get the house up to code with whatever I might have on the yard and in the shop.

The building inspector agreed to tour virtually through video. Okay, we were getting somewhere now!

At first, our insurance broker said that there was no way that any insurance company would touch this, due to the 15-foot-high deck having no railing. The building inspector agreed that as long as I secured the patio door, that would be good enough for him. Still not good enough for the insurance company though.

I thought about this for awhile. What do the “cubical dwellers” in Ontario need to convince them? Signage!! So I printed off a red stop sign that said “Stop—Do Not Enter,” cellotaped it to the patio door, and the insurance was good to go.

We finally got confirmation at the 11th hour, on both the mortgage and the insurance, the day before we had to complete the sale at our lawyer’s office (where we were all grinning, ear to ear, and being very careful to stay six feet away from other people).

Since we bought the house and property, we’ve been renting the little house out at a very modest

amount. We’ve had some amazing tenants. We’ve done quite a bit of work to the big house, with more to come in the future. I’ve really enjoyed the fully-equipped, heated shop space. Between my own significant amount of tools and the ones that Al left, there is nothing that the shop can’t handle, from construction to plumbing to mechanical.

The best part is that we are keeping our promise to our friend—to “take care of his stuff.” If Al ever does show up again, we’ll be happy to sell him back his house and yard, at current market value, of course, and go back to being tenants in the little house. We’ll also be very happy, if he so chooses, to help him load up his stuff, which we have taken care of for almost nine years now, as promised.

Part Three of Three

A little side story to end this series

While we were tenants in the little house, we kept to our own house and the little bit of yard around it, the rest was Al’s place. Once the bank started to foreclose, and especially as it started looking like we may have to leave and move some of his stuff into storage, we started to check out the yard … There’s almost 10 acres!

After we bought it, I went and found the survey pins for the corners of the yard, then I took Pam into the bush to see the cutline of the property. Honestly, she wasn’t that impressed with the cutline,

Celebrating on the deck, with the dog

but while we were out checking it out, she found something far more important.

There’s a poplar tree just inside the property line that is way older than poplars ever get to be.

Pam’s suggestion, with her Master Gardener ticket, is at least 50 years. It’s probably the mother of all of the poplars in the surrounding vicinity. It’s so big that you can’t get your arms around it and is incredibly healthy to this day.

What’s more interesting than that, Pam noticed, is that when it was very young the tree had suffered some significant damage to its trunk. It overcame that by creating some channels around the damage, to keep itself alive, flourish, and transport nutrients.

Pam has named it her “Spirit Tree.” This tree sort of resonates with our own challenges we had to overcome to find and then become owners of this fine property. We don’t feel we “own” that tree!

The question remains to this day: Was it fluke or fate? Or did the Spirit Tree attract us to the property, all the way from our friend’s ranch in Southern Alberta? We may never know and we don’t care. But we do get out to visit the tree as often as we can, and think about our blessings at the end of what turned into a very long journey.

If you’re in the area, pop by for a coffee, beer or nip and we’ll go visit the Spirit Tree. Door’s always open. ■

PHOTOS: Gary Atkins

Column with Gary Atkins

Gary Atkins is a long-time musician and Yukoner living in Mendenhall.

ALL IN THE DANCE

Sandra Storey’s exhibition All in the Dance runs through Nov. 29 in the Yukon Artists @ Work Gallery

Sandra Storey’s newest art exhibit started with a box of old Tinkertoys, the vintage children’s wooden building toys. Storey had been tinkering with the toys, fashioning some art pieces out of them, when she noticed an opening in the Yukon Artists @ Work (YAAW) Gallery space, and she gave herself the challenge of getting her Tinkertoys-based project together in time to fill the slot. She set out to make pieces fashioned after an old playground behind her house.

Storey’s driving theme was the idea of abandoned play. She remembers the joy of flying a kite and watching it get up in the air, and swinging on a swingset so high that the chains went slack and then jumping off in mid-swing. The best of all though, she says, was the merry-go-round, which she and her childhood cohort referred to as the “Wheel of Death.”

“We would get the biggest guys in the community to get on and push it so that it was going as fast as it could possibly go,” she says.

“You literally had to hold onto the bars or the centrifugal force would fly you off of the Wheel of Death. Back then, the playgrounds were all gravel or sand and they didn’t have any matting or anything on them.”

With all these memories coming back to Storey, her ideas began to flow and soon enough she’d made swingsets, teeter-totters and more out of a mix of Tinkertoys and other artistic materials.

“I bought a vintage set quite a long time ago at the Kids Market in Vancouver, and I just pulled it out and was just putting stuff together,” Storey says. “I got the idea of recreating the old playground behind my house on Tatchun Road.”

Storey says the playground she grew up with had equipment that would now be banned for safety purposes, but that never stopped her from using it to its full potential.

“We just had a ball playing there,” she remembers. “This kind of turned into a little bit of a protest about the insanity of what’s going on in the world and this feeling of real helplessness, and getting up every morning and finding it’s gotten worse and not better.”

“Within some of the titles are some of my little protests,” Storey explains, noting the teeter-totters are titled “The Perception of Balance” and “The Balance of Power.” She says, “If you look at them, the physics is all wrong. There’s one where the two teeter-totter guys are so big that they’ve broken the teeter-totter and they’re sitting on the ground laughing.”

By making these pieces, Storey was taking a stance to find joy in hard times, and encouraging others to try and do the same.

Making her pieces helped Storey reconnect with a carefree time in her life, far from the worries of adulthood in the modern world.

“It really was as simple as that,” she says. “As anyone who has a practice knows, one piece leads to another and it just gets more and more fun, really, if you’re not strapped for time. That’s basically the story of the show.”

“As an artist, or as anybody, you want to say something, do something, stand up and protest,” she says. “This is the way that I do that.”

Storey was born in Whitehorse, the youngest of six children. As a child, she had severe asthma and spent lots of time in an oxygen

on page 18 ...

Wheel of Death

PHOTOS: Submitted by Sandra Storey cont’d

Manus Hopkins is a journalist and musician from Whitehorse.

Too Big for the Teeter-Totter

Grizzly with Kite

Rabbit on the Rings

Thursdays Yoga with Jess Ghùch

Tlâ Community School Beginners welcome, all equipment provided. Drop-in, Free admission! For more info email yogajessyukon@gmail. com.

CARMACKS

CARCROSS

Sat Dec 6 Carcross Community

Christmas Market 10:00 AM Haa

Shagóon Hídi (Our Ancestors House) Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre Over 20 vendorsentertainment- activities- food vendors- kidsmarket- Santa visitdoor prizes- part of the Southern Lakes Christmas Loop!

Second Sunday of Every Month

St. Saviour’s Church Services 2:00 pm St. Saviour Church 867668-3129

First Friday of the month Mother

Goose Group 11:00 AM Haa

Shagóon Hídi (Our Ancestors House) Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre Learn stories, songs, and

rhymes, lunch provided. Suitable for babies and children 5 and under. Please bring along a water bottle and blanket to sit on. To register, call 332-2389. https:// whatsupyukon.events/jwf

Wednesdays Yoga with Richard Mueller 12:00 PM Carcross Firehall Free for everyone some fitness required.

DAWSON CITY

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

• Dawson City General Store

Tue Nov 25 Open Studio Artist

Talk with Browyn Butterfield

5:30 PM ODD Gallery Bronwyn is a Cree/Métis beadwork artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has been using the ODD Gallery as a studio. Join us to hear what she’s been up to in the studio!

Wed Nov 26 Les Hay Babies –Tintamarre! 7:30 PM Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) As part of Coup de Cœur Francophone 2025, sparkling, multifaceted folk-rock for over a decade, renewing their musical proposition with each new release.

Sat Nov 29 KIAC Art & Craft Fair 10:00 AM Dënäkär Zho KIAC Ballroom Join us at the KIAC Art & Craft Fair to explore unique creations from talented local vendors and support ODD Gallery programming. https://kiac.ca/ calendar-of-events/kiac-art-craft-fair

Wed Dec 3 Celebration of Lights 5:00 PM Dawson City, YT All are welcome—bring your holiday spirit and dress warmly for this unforgettable evening.

Fri Dec 5 An Evening with Author

- Composer Daniel Janke 7:30

PM Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) A reading from his debut collection of stories “Book of Heroes” on Mosaic Press and a musical performance from his latest song cycle “Map of You”

Sat Dec 6 Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in

Christmas Bazaar 11:00 AM

Trondëk Hwëchin Community Hall Shop the beautiful offerings from our local artists, crafters, and makers, also enjoy scrumptious treats and holiday cheer!

Sat Dec 6 Coffee House & Open

Mic 7:00 PM Dënäkär Zho – KIAC Ballroom A family-friendly open mic night. Admission is by donation with all funds raised donated to a different community group each month. Everyone is welcome to perform or simply enjoy!

Wed Dec 12 Drawlidays VI

Portrait Exhibition 7:00 PM ODD

Gallery Drawliday portraits! - A perfect place to meet and greet and thank your fellow artists!

Weekly

Mondays

Handbuilding Pottery Drop-in

6:30-9 PM Self-guided group studio time for those who have some knowledge and experience with pottery. Newcomers are welcome, though little instruction is provided.

KIAC Classroom, back door

Drop-In Pickleball 5:30 PM Robert Service School

Adult Drop-In Basketball 7:45 PM Robert Service School Ages 16+ -Free Call 993-7400 ext 299 for more info.

Tuesdays

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM St Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Evening Prayer 5:00 PM St Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

Hand-Building Pottery Drop-In

6:30 PM Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) Self-guided group studio time for those with some experience with pottery. Newcomers are welcome, little instruction is provided.

Wednesdays

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM St Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Evening Prayer 5:00 PM St Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

Screen Printing Drop-in 6:00

PM Klondike Institute of Art &

Culture KIAC Classroom (enter via backdoor) Self-guided group studio time for those who have some knowledge and experience with screen printing.

Welcome Wednesday Supper and Games 6:00 PM St Paul’s Anglican Church QYS Drop-in 1:00

PM DCMF Office

Dawson City Disc Golf League

8:00 PM Crocus Bluff Disc Golf Course simple, welcoming league for all skill levels

Thursdays

CDC Toddler Program 10:00 AM

Klondike Institute of Arts & Culture

KIAC Free drop-In for kids 5 & under with parent/guardian Story time & free play!

Drop-in Volleyball 7:30 PM Robert Service School Ages 13+ - Free

Fridays

Cards & Conversation 1:00 PM

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1 Dawson City Free! DropIn! No registration necessary. whatsupyukon.events/dawsonlegion-8336c3

Open Studio Drop-in 1:00 PM

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture

(KIAC) Enjoy KIAC’s bright, airconditioned space to create and focus on your artistic practice. Even better- we’ve waived the drop-in fee this day.

Drop-in Bouldering 6:00 PM

Robert Service School Free - dropin - all ages

Saturdays

Youth Parkour Tumbling 12:30

PM Robert Service School All Ages - Free – Drop-In. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Open Studio – Drop In 1:00

PM Klondike Institute of Art & Culture KIAC Classroom (enter via backdoor) Space to create and focus on your artistic practice.

AA North Star Group (O, A)

Dawson City 7:00 PM Royal

Canadian Legion

Sundays

Anglican Church Service 10:30

AM Anglican Church Service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Dawson City. Corner of Front and Church Streets at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Dawson City

Adult Drop-In Basketball 6:00 PM

Robert Service School Ages 16+

- Free - Call 993-7400 ext 299 for more info.

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

• Sunshine Restaurant

• Carmacks Rec Centre

• CDC / CIBC Bank

• Tatchun Center General Store

Thu Nov 27 Creative Connections

Art Show 5:30 PM Carmacks

Recreation Centre An art show showcasing creations made in art classes from the last year be sure to stop by and see the artistic local talent of all ages!

Thu Nov 27 Christmas Bazaar 5:30

PM Carmacks Recreation Centre Call 863-6271 ext. 202 or email bookings@carmacks.ca

First & Third Tuesdays of Every Month Carmacks Regular Council Meeting 7:00 PM Carmacks Municipal Building

Mondays

Carmacks Library 1:00 PM

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Floor Hockey 5:30 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Bakers & Makers 6:00 PM Carmacks School 14+ Floor Hockey 7:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Tuesdays

Carmacks Library 1:00 PM

tIn addition to your support, G-P Distributing will ensure that all 600 families get a turkey by donating the shortfall amount. G-P is also volunteering their time to help build and deliver 600 hampers.

We invite you to join our cause, ensuring no family in the Yukon goes without food during Christmas Your support will make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, bringing smiles, warmth, and hope to our communities. Please, consider donating and help us continue this heartwarming tradition All proceeds goes towards the turkeys donated or directly to Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society

LED BY WHITEHORSE FIREFIGHTERS CHARITABLE SOCIETY

The Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society is driven by their desire to support our community, with a special focus on the children, youth and families of Whitehorse Share the Spirit Yukon has grown in the last 10 years to become the biggest geographic Christmas support program in Canada covering communities across the territory Check them out at afterthefireisout com

HELPING FAMILIES SINCE 1996

n 1996, Share the Spirit Yukon, initially known as “Adopt a Family,” was founded by Ed and Donna saak Over the years, it has grown into a vital source of hope and generosity for families in need rom 2000 to 2016, the Kin Club & Kinnettes managed the program, spreading warmth and joy among Yukon families during the holidays

Sat Nov 29 Faro Christmas

Market 11:00 AM Faro Recreation Centre Featuring locally talented, innovative artisans, makers, crafters, and creators of delicious food, showcasing their wares!

Sat Dec 13 Kids Christmas Party

12:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Crafts, games and gifts from Santa! Taco lunch served at 1pm. All kids under 12 will receive a gift, and a printed picture of Mr. & Mrs. Claus

First and Third Tuesday of every month Faro Council Meeting 7:00 PM Town of Faro

Tuesdays

Parent & Tot 10:00 AM Faro

Recreation Centre

Open Gym 1:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Kids Club 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Drop-in Archery 6:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre Free, drop-in, equipment provided, call 994-2375 for more info.

Adult Floor Hockey 7:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Wednesdays

Seniors Games & Walks 1:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre. The gym is open for seniors who would like to improve their fitness goals.

Fitness Fun for Seniors 2:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Pickleball 2:30 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Volleyball 3:30 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Basketball 7:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Thursdays

Parent & Tot 10:00 AM Faro

Recreation Centre

Kids Club 3:30 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Youth Group 7:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Floor Hockey 7:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre For more info call 994-2375

Fridays

Pickleball 1:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Seniors Yoga 2:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Open Gym 2:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre Chair Yoga & Deep Relaxation for Seniors

Basketball 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Saturdays

Pickleball 2:30 PM Faro Recreation Centre Open Court Basketball 3:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre Open Gym 4:30 PM Faro Recreation Centre

Sundays Open Court Basketball 3:00 PM Faro Recreation Centre

HAINES JUNCTION

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

• Little Green Apple

Thu Nov 27 Jimmy D. Lane & Mo’ Trouble 7:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre Experience the unforgettable night of Jimmy D. Lane & Mo’ Trouble, featuring authentic blues and powerful performances.

Thu Nov 27 Holly Jolly Market 2:30 PM St. Elias Community School

Sat Dec 6 Outfitters Ball 2025 6:00

PM St. Elias Convention Centre

Hunt - Gather - Celebrate! Wild meat dinner, silent auction, bull riding, live music by Cruz Valis, Justin Sutton & N 49

Sun Dec 7 Yoga with Sarah 6:00

PM St. Elias Community School Drop-in yoga sessions blending vinyasa movement and hatha-style stretching. Bring your own mat, blocks and straps provided. For more info: 689-1168

Tue Dec 11 Joint Christmas

Open House 4:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre Booths - door prizes - snacks!

Second and fourth Wednesday of every month Village Council meetings 7:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre Village Council meetings are also held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. [Remote attendance only]

Mondays

Fun with Food 3:30 PM St. Elias Community School Learn new skills, share recipes and take food home!

Drop-In Basketball 6:00 PM St. Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Tuesdays

Romp & Run 11:30 AM Bill Brewster Arena Drop in. Programming is for kids 4 and under and their parents/caregivers.

Tea & Bannock – Haines Junction 1:00 PM https://whatsupyukon. events/tea-bannock-68ab07

Men’s and women’s sewing group 1:00 PM Mun kų

BGC Game Night 3:30 PM St. Elias Community School Play, have fun, build skills and challenge your friends

Wednesdays

Seniors and Elders Refreshments and Games 2:00 PM Haines

Junction Seniors Residence

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 3:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

Girls Club 3:20 PM St. Elias

Community School Held in the art room, open to Girls and identifying as Girls from Grade 8 to 12.

BGC Rec in the Gym 3:30 PM St. Elias Community School Haines Junction Hoobeedoo 6:30

PM The Mezzanine

Thursdays

Romp & Run 11:30 AM Bill Brewster Arena Drop in. Programming is for kids 4 and under and their parents/caregivers.

Seniors Activities 2:00 PM St. Elias Community Centre Floor curling, carpet bowling and indoor walking group.

Adult Volleyball 7:00 PM St. Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Fridays

Stories and STEM Activities 10:00

AM Haines Junction Library

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 1:30 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

Saturdays

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 1:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

Sundays

Anglican Church Service 10:30

AM St. Christopher’s Church Anglican Church Service at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church in Haines Junction https://anglican. yukon.net/services.html

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 1:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

MARSH LAKE

Sat Dec 6 4th Annual Southern Lakes Christmas Market Loop 10:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre Take a journey around the Southern Lakes area and get your Holiday shopping done. 5 locations this year you will be sure to cross everyone off your Christmas list!

Last Wednesday of every month

MLCS board meeting 7:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Tuesdays

Play Bridge 1:00 PM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

North of 60 Seniors Coffee and Chat 2:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Yoga with Richard Mueller 5:00

PM Marsh Lake Community Centre Free for everyone some fitness required.

Wednesdays

South of 6 10:00 AM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

Thursdays

Shuffleboard 6:00 PM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

Fridays

Beginner Yoga 10:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Youth Gym Drop-In 6:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Saturdays

Pickleball Outside 11:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Sundays

Pickleball Outside 11:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

MAYO

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

• Haldane Services

Sat Nov 29 W.I.G.S Annual Christmas Tea & Bazaar 1:00

PM Mayo Community Hall Shop for unique gifts, crafts and baked goods! Call 334-6447 for more info.

Sun Dec 7 Kids ChristmasHomemade Craft Days 11:00

AM Mayo Community Hall 2 festive days filled with creativity, community, and Christmas spirit! Contact Michelle 780-834-8232.

Sat Dec 6 4th Annual Southern

Lakes Christmas Market Loop 10:00 AM Mount Lorne Community CentreTake a journey around the Southern Lakes area and get your Holiday shopping done. 5 locations this year you will be sure to cross everyone off your Christmas list!

Wed Dec 10 Seniors Holiday

Dinner 4:30 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre Celebrate together with a festive and fun evening! Food - Music - Games!

1st Tuesday Monthly LAC Meeting

Lorne Mountain Community Centre

Mondays

Run Club 6:00 PM Lorne Mountain Community Centre

Yoga with Jess 7:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre Yoga is for everyone, join a community class, beginners welcome and all equipment provided. Drop in by donation. Email yoga.jessyukon@ gmail.com

Tuesdays

Active Fun Fitness Class - Drop In 6:30 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre Improve your balance, flexibility, strength and endurance in this indoor class led by Colleen Ennis. Drop in, admission by donation. Suitable for mature youth & adults. https://whatsupyukon. events/fhm

Thursdays

Community Drop In 11:00 AM

Mount Lorne Community Centre

Run Club 6:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre

LMCA Tennis Drop-In 7:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre All equipment provided, all ages and abilities welcome!

OLD CROW

Mondays

Men’s Night At The Rec Centre 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Tuesdays

Kids Gym 3:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Adult Sewing 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Youth Gym 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Wednesdays

Stroller Walks 10:00 AM Kih Tsal

Parent and Tots 4:00 PM Old Crow Community Center Call 966-3015 for more info.

Wednesdays

First Monday of every month Tagish Advisory Council 8:00 AM Tagish Fire Hall

Third Wednesday of every month Tagish Community Association 7:00 PM Tagish Fire Hall Every 2nd

cont’d on page 15 ...

2025 FALL & 2026 WINTER COURSES

Mo va onal Interviewing

DEC 2 , 2025 9 am-4:30 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

$329+GST or

$299+GST Early Bird Registra on deadline with YukonU is Nov 25, Early Bird registra on by Nov 10. Late registra on un l Dec 1: email sam@ctrins te.com

CRN 90653

Safe Talk

DEC 4, 2025 1-4 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

$125+GST Register by Nov 26

CRN 90809

Caregiving Through Loss and Grief for Frontline Professionals and Family Caregivers

JAN 21+, 2026 9:30-11:30 am

Livestreamed over 5 weeks

$250+GST Register by Jan 14

CRN 90049

Mental Health

First Aid Canada for Northern Peoples

FEB 4, 2026 9 am-4:30 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

$285+GST Register by Jan 28

CRN 90050

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:

13 Factors of Psychological Health and Safe

FEB 10, 2026 8:30 am-4:30 pm

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CRN 90051

Applied Suicide Interven on Skills Training (ASIST)

FEB 11-12, 2026 8:30 am-4:30 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

$245+GST Register by Feb 4

CRN 90052

Transforma onal Leadership: Segment AThe Resilient Leader

FEB 13, 2026 9 am-12 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

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CRN 90053

Transforma onal Leadership: Segment BThe Resilient Organiza on

FEB 13, 2026 1-4 pm

YukonU Rm C1530

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CRN 90054

• Contact Registrations & Records at 867-668-8710 EXT 2 and quote the CRN; • Register by emailing registrations@yukonu.ca WITHDRAWAL

Naviga ng Administra ve Law: Support for when you need to file or respond to a complaint

FEB 18, 2026 9 am-4:30 pm

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Naviga ng Di cult Client Rela onships

FEB 24, 2026 9 am-4:30 pm

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MAR 24, 2026 9 am-4:30 pm

YukonU Rm C1440

$329+GST or $299+GST Early Bird Registra on Deadline with YukonU is Mar 17, Early Bird registra on by Feb 24. Late registra on un l Mar 23: email sam@ctrins te.com

CRN 90064

Second Thursday of every month

Tagish

7:00 PM

Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday Tagish Wheely Great Community Library 12:00 PM Tagish Community Centre Site

Thursdays

Tagish Local Advisory Council

Meeting 7:00 PM Tagish Fire Hall

TESLIN

Mondays

Teslin Tigers Cross Country Ski Club 3:15 PM Teslin Recreation Centre

Co-Ed Curling League 6:30 & 8:00

PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

AA: Teslin Group (O) 7:00

PM Catholic Church Rectory (Basement)

Tuesdays

Rookie League 3:15 PM Teslin

Recreation Complex

Open Gym 7:00 PM Teslin Arena

Come hang out or play some sports during our open gym times!

Wednesdays

Pickleball 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Youth Pickleball 3:15 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Thursdays

Dominos 1:00 PM Teslin

Recreation Centre Drop in seniors

Fridays

Open Arena 7:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Saturdays Parent & Tots 2:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Sundays

Adult Volleyball 4:00 PM School Gym

WATSON LAKE

Sun Nov 30 Play Café 9:00 AM

Watson Lake Recreation Centre

Cookie decorating, and gingerbread themed sensory play, crafts and a photo booth. Kids up to age 5 (and their older siblings) can enjoy a gingerbread wonderland with activities made just for them.

Daily Northern Lights Space & Science Centre Shows 11:00 AM

The spectacular dancing Northern Lights are showcased, a video that is broadcast in the NLC’s domed 100-seat theatre daily throughout the summer season. Plays daily on the hour starting at 11:00 AM

Second Saturday of the month

Watson Lake Direct Aid 2:00 PM Northern Lights Centre

Mondays

Badminton Night 7:00 PM Watson Lake Secondary School No skill or equipment required - just come out and have fun.

Tuesdays

Smart Recovery Meetings 3:00

PM Wye Lake Cabin Mental

Wellness and Substance Use

Services For more information, email joey.mitchell@yukon.ca or call 332-3187

Pickleball & Badminton 7:00 PM

Watson Lake Secondary School

Wednesdays

Drop-In Ninja Tumbling 5:30 PM

Watson Lake Secondary School All ages welcome. Adults are welcome too, come to do some stretching or try some handstands etc.

Rookie League 5:30 PM Watson Lake Ball Diamond

Fridays

Bowling League 7:00 PM Watson Lake Recreation Centre For more info Call 335-7979 or frontdesk@ watsonlake.ca

Saturdays

Baptiste Power Yoga 7:00 PM

Fees apply. A muscle-shaping and mind-sculpting workout, work at your own level and ability, set to electronic music.

Sundays

St. John’s Church Service 10:00

AM St. John’s Church Service (867) 536-2932

Sunday Nite Volleyball 11:00 AM Watson Lake Secondary School

B.C.

ATLIN

Sat Nov 29 Christmas Craft Fair

11:00 AM Atlin Recreation Centre

Concession will be open, along with Atlin Mountain Coffee Roasters serving coffee. Get your Christmas shopping done early, shop local and find a unique gift! Call 250-651-7663 for more info.

Sundays

St. Martins Anglican Church

Sunday Service 10:00 AM St. Martins Anglican Church Everyone is welcome.

Atlin Christian Assembly 11:00 AM St. Atlin Christian Centre Everyone is welcome.

St. Joseph Catholic Mission

Holy Mass 3:00 PM St. St. Joseph Catholic Mission.

Mondays

Caregiver & Tot Drop-in 10:00 AM

Atlin Recreation Centre This is an unstructured hour for You and your Littles to get social and run wild. This IS NOT a drop off, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Call or email 993-4102 atlinarc. coordinator@gmail.com for more info.

Yukon Communities:

Wednesdays AA Yukon Unity (OM) 3:00 PM Online Yukon Health Centers, Live Video Meeting Beaver Creek, Carcross, Carmacks,

Dawson City, Destruction Bay, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo, Old Crow, Pelly Crossing, Ross River, Teslin, Watson Lake. Online users’ sign in info: yukonbcdistrict52@gmail.com SKAGWAY

Until Dec 5 Quilt Alaska Quilt Show 602 A Broadway. Celebration of local quilters showcasing their creations. A great way to share the creative art of quilting with the community.

Sat Nov 29 Shop Small Saturday: Elf hunt Get ready to shop and knockout that Christmas list for 2025 during Skagway’s 12th annual Shop Small Saturday!

Fri Dec 5 Fire & Police Departments Yuletide Open House 3:30 PM Skagway Fire Department Firefighters cooking dinner. Police providing platters, coffee/hot chocolate, and desserts. Come check out Fire apparatus and Jail Cells!

Fri Dec 5 Family Photos (Doggies too) with Santa 6:00 PM Happy Endings Saloon

Fri Dec 5 Holiday Karaoke 8:30

PM Happy Endings Saloon

Fri Dec 5 Yuletide Tree Lighting: Drinks, snacks & holiday photo booth 5:00 PM Chilkoot Trail Center

Fri Dec 5 Yuletide Tree Lighting

5:30 PM 5th & Broadway annual town tree lighting!

Sat Dec 6 Annual Holiday Wine

Tasting 6:00 PM Happy Endings Saloon This year the proceeds will go to the Skagway High School Freshman Class of 2029.

Sat Dec 6 Yuletide Makers Market 11:00 AM Skagway Recreation Center

Monthly

First Wednesday of the month First

Wednesday Community Dinner 5:30 PM First Presbyterian Church check in on your neighbors over a filling meal. If you have a dish you would like to share, you are welcome to bring it

Weekly

Wednesdays

Windy Valley Babies 10:30 AM

Skagway Public Library Stories, Songs, and Fun with Ms. Anna! Designed for ages 0-3.

Thursdays

Morning Women’s Prayer 9:30

AM First Presbyterian Church of Skagway

Saturdays

Music Saturday 3:00 PM Skagway

Public Library Music Saturday is open to all. Any instrument that is available, people are free to try.

Sundays

Sunday Worship 10:00 AM First

Presbyterian Church of Skagway

Sunday School 4:00 PM First

Presbyterian Church of Skagway

Clayton’s CAR CARE Tips

HOW ARE THINGS UNDER THE HOOD OF YOUR CAR?

Have you had a look under your hood, how are your fluid levels, what about your belts and hoses. Most owners manuals show you where to check fluids at, if you have to add any fluids make sure they are the ones for your car. The belts and hoses are sometimes a little harder to check, if you are unable to check them or have any questions, take your car to your mechanic so they can have a look at it for you.

Tire Whitehorse

NOC Code 75101

The Applicant must be able to work weekends. Fall Arrest Certificate, Driver's and Forklift License is required. Wage is $24.00-$28.00/hour depending on experience. Group Insurance Benefits available.

Drop resume off at 107 Industrial Road Attn: Cal Murdoch or email to cal@yukontire.com

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Mondays

Judo For Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight

Days Martial Arts

AM Spinning classes 6:15 AM True

North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 7:30 AM

Northern Strength Academy

Elderactive CGC Flexihall 9:00

AM Canada Games Centre Yukon Elderactive has the Flexihall is Booked for you! Some activities get your heart pumping, while others get your mind engaged

Elderactive Pilates level 1 9:30 AM

Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Elderactive Pilates level 2 10:40

AM Northern Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!. http://cuts2.com/jiacg

Noon Strength & Conditioning

12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy

Elderactive Pilates level 1 12:00

PM Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Indoor Cycling 12:05 PM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength. ca/

Muay Thai Kickboxing Eight Days

Martial Arts 12:05 PM The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions.

Lifting for Longevity 10:00

AM Northern Strength Academy

Specifically designed for the retired population, but open to anyone.

Yoga with Barbara 10:00 AM Whitehorse United Church Drop-in, no registration required, everyone is welcome. Call 335-1996 for more info.

Strength for Endurance 12:00 PM

Northern Strength Academy Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - drilling 12:05

PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Strength & Conditioning 1:00PM

Northern Strength Academy

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts Indoor Cycling 5:00 PM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength. ca/

Ladies Lift 5:30 PM Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts Whitehorse Archery 6:30 PM

Takhini Elementary Whitehorse Archery is a non-profit club for the recreational shooter, hunters, and those who just want to work on their skills. whitehorsearchery.com/ schedule

Noon Strength & Conditioning 12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Elderactive Pilates level 1 12:00

PM Northern Lights School of Dance

Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!

Ladies Kickboxing 12:05 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

Elderactive Intermediate Hiking 1:00 PM ElderActive Recreation

Association Leisure Walking is similar to Nordic walking but is suitable for those who prefer a slower, more relaxed pace

PM Spinning classes 5:15 PM True

North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 5:30

PM Northern Strength Academy Functional strength class teaches compound multi-joint lifts that improve athleticism, strength, coordination, power and more.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Indoor Range Night 7:00 PM Whitehorse Rifle and Pistol Club

Muay Thai Kickboxing 7:45 PM Eight Days Martial Arts The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions. Thursdays

Strength for Endurance 6:00 AM

Kids Muay Thai 4:45 PM Eight

Days Martial Arts KIDS MUAY THAI a dynamic and engaging martial art that can be traced to the middle of the 18th century. Open to ages 8 - 12.

PM Spinning classes 5:15 PM True

North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 5:30 PM

Northern Strength Academy

Broga - Yoga for Men 5:30 PM

Centred - Yoga Breath Sound

Yoga with Jess 7:00 PM Golden Horn Elementary School Yoga is for everyone, join a community class, beginners welcome and all equipment provided. Drop in by donation. Email yoga.jessyukon@ gmail.com

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu 7:30 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Wednesdays

Muay Thai Kickboxing 6:00 AM

Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

Northern Strength Academy Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels

Winter Power Hour Series 6:00 AM

BrittyFit 95 Lewes Blvd Ignite your fitness regime in 50 minutes with Brittyfit

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 7:00 AM Northern

Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Lifting for Longevity 10:00 AM

Chant Drum Dance Breathing, stretching, moving, strengthening, decompressing, inverting, balance work, manly self-care at its finest. Email malbacph@hotmail.com for more info.

Ladies Kickboxing 6:00 PM Eight

Days Martial Arts

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 7:30 PM Eight

Days Martial Arts

Tuesdays

Strength for Endurance 6:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight

Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 7:00 AM Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

AM Spinning classes 6:15 AM True North Spinning at Better Bodies Indoor Cycling 6:30 AM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength. ca/

Morning Strength & Conditioning 7:30 AM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Elderactive CGC Flexihall 9:00

AM Canada Games Centre Yukon

Elderactive has the Flexihall is Booked for you! Some activities get your heart pumping, while others get your mind engaged

Elderactive Pilates level 1 9:30 AM

Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Keep Fit 10:00 AM Church of the Northern Apostles Come stretch and breathe with us - only $5.00

Elderactive Pilates level 2 10:40

AM Northern Lights School of Dance

Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!. http://cuts2.com/jiacg

Northern Strength Academy Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Strength for Endurance 12:00 PM

Northern Strength Academy Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - drilling 12:05 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Strength & Conditioning 1:00 PM

Northern Strength Academy

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 5:30 PM Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community,

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Whitehorse Archery 6:30 PM

Takhini Elementary Whitehorse

Archery is a non-profit club for the recreational shooter, hunters, and those who just want to work on their skills. www.whitehorsearchery.com/ schedule

No-GiJiu Jitsu 7:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Fridays

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight Days Martial Arts

Indoor Cycling 6:30 AM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength. ca/

Morning Strength & Conditioning

7:30 AM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Strength & Conditioning 12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy

Muay Thai Kickboxing 12:05 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Strength & Conditioning 5:30 PM

Northern Strength Academy

Muay Thai Kickboxing 6:00 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

Saturdays

Ladies Lift 9:00 AM Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Strength & Conditioning 10:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - drilling 11:00 AM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Open Mat 12:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Sundays AM Spinning classes 10:00 AM

True North Spinning at Better Bodies

WELLNESS LISTINGS

Thu Nov 27 Autism Social

Gathering 5:30 PM Autism Yukon

Drop-in style social gathering for folks 18+ who identify as autistic (ASD/Asperger’s) or are on the journey of identification/diagnosis. Email asg.yukon@hotmail.com for more info.

Sat Nov 29 Sacred Circle - Mother

Rose 2:00 PM TBA Has the rose been calling to you to deepen your bond with your soul? Asking you to seek her out? This circle will include the Rose Mystery teachings, a rose tea ceremony and much more. https://dawn-cervo.blogspot.com

Sat Nov 29 The Alchemist’s Hearth - A Crystal Ritual to Kindle Your Inner Flame 7:00 PM Horwoods Mall An evening of magical practice dedicated to transmuting the quiet of winter into a source of radiant, inner light.

Elder and Counselor available

Emotional and Spiritual support, free to Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirited in Yukon, Northern BC: Phone, video appointments or in person. Call Toll Free 866 667 6162 or visit www.yawc.ca for info.

Wed Dec 3 Living with Lossworkshop 6:00 PM Online A free workshop to learn about the nature of grief and tips for coping. You’re not alone. https://hospiceyukon.net/ en/2022/04/05/livingwithloss/

Monthly

Every other Tuesday Sharing Circle 12:00 PM Old Justice Building KDFN Every other Tuesday for recovery focused sharing circles. Connect, share challenges and gains, and access support and wisdom. Snacks and refreshments served. whatsupyukon.events/4en

Mondays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM Salvation Army 311 Black St Yukon

Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House

Infant Feeding Mondays 1:00 PM Yukon Midwifery Program - Yukon Health and Social Services

AA Life Ahead (O, A) 7:00 PM 509

Hanson St. Held in person or by zoom – ID 251-363-5766, call 778907-2701 for more info.

Smart Recovery 7:00 PM 509 Sarah Steele Building a supportive meeting with others seeking recovery help.

AA New Beginnings Group (OM, NS) 8:00 PM Sacred Heart - Rear Entrance - basement

Tuesdays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM Salvation Army 311 Black St Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00

PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly)

6:00 PM 100 25 Firth Rd Want to improve or maintain a healthy weight? Join us! Every Wednesday morning. Call or text 867-334-1725 for more details

AA Happy Hour Ladies Group (W, A) 6:15 PM Inclusion Yukon

Ugly Ducklings Group (O,A) 8:00

PM Christ Church Cathedral Held in person or Zoom ID 251 363 5766 no passcode or by phone 1-778-9072071

Wednesdays

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly)

8:00 AM Closeleigh Manor Common Room Want to improve or maintain a healthy weight? Call or text 867-3341725 for more details

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

Community Kitchen 11:30 AM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Hot nutritious meals to-go, a free, low-barrier, program for women identifying individuals and children. Call 667-2693 for more info

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00

PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance)

Al-Anon 12:00 PM 407 Black Street, downstairs Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

AA No Puffin (C, A) 7:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral (Hellaby Hall)

AA Porter Creek Step Meeting (C) 8:00 PM Our Lady of Victory Thursdays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM Salvation Army 311 Black St Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance)

Polar Group (O, A) 7:30 PM 311 Elliott St. & 4th Ave. Held in person or Zoom ID 251 363 5766 no passcode or by phone 1-778-9072071

Fridays

Moth & Flame - Bright Light

Morning Meditation Series 9:00 AM Queer Yukon Society - The Cache

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance)

VFWC – Drop-In 1:30 PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre FREE! Drop-In. A safe welcoming space. Drop-in includes laundry and shower access.

Community Kitchen 5:00 PM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre

Hot nutritious meals to-go, a free, low-barrier, program for women identifying individuals and children. Call 667-2693 for more info.

AA Whitehorse Group (C, A) 7:00

PM 407 B Ogilvie Street

Saturdays

AA Morning Joe Group (C, A) 11:00

AM Inclusion Yukon

AA Detox Meeting (O, A) 1:00 PM 609 Steele St

VFWC – Drop-In 1:30 PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre FREE!

Drop-In. A safe welcoming space. Drop-in includes laundry and showers.

Community Kitchen 5:00 PM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Hot nutritious meals to-go, a free, low-barrier, program for women identifying individuals and children. Call 667-2693 for more info.

AA Hospital Meeting 7:00 PM #5 Hospital Rd. Room 1212

Sundays

AA Detox Meeting (O, A)1:00 PM 609 Steele St.

AA Hospital Meeting (O, A) 7:00 PM #5 Hospital Rd. Room 1212

tent, which is a small bubble for a four-year-old.

“I don’t say I grew up there, because I had lots of healthy times with a lot of camping and stuff like that, but when I was in hospital, my dad would give me drawing pads and pencil crayons and modelling clay,” she says. “I started doing little sculptures just to create my own world where I was.”

Storey’s interest in the arts stuck with her, especially when she got to high school and had acclaimed late-Yukon artist Ted Harrison as a teacher, just before his retirement. She went to Emily Carr University, which was a college at the time, to get her degree in fine arts, and spent many of the following years travelling the world before returning to the Yukon. During her travels, her art took a spot on the back burner, though she did run a gallery and teach art in New Zealand.

Storey’s exhibit, titled All in the Dance, opened Nov. 7 at the Yukon Artists @ Work Gallery, in Whitehorse, and runs until Nov. 29. Working under a deadline was a new challenge for Storey, who typically spends however much time she likes on her pieces before seeing which ones can go together as a collection, but the creation of these pieces was also different than her previous work.

“I knew I wanted to work with the Tinkertoys, and that was really experimental because I’m usually just working with clay, or sometimes clay and wire,” she says. “I had to make the structures first or I couldn’t make the animals fit on them.”

Storey was thrilled with the opening of her exhibit, saying the comments she got from viewers made her feel awesome. Over half the collection sold on its opening day.

Storey moved back to Canada in 2006, originally to take care of her parents who have since passed. She now spends her days running her artistic practice out in Tagish.

“It’s always uplifting when you do something and you take the risk of putting it out there,” she says. “The day of the opening can be like having a birthday party and thinking nobody is going to come, but then they all come and bring presents.”

“We heat with wood and we haul our own water, and I spend four to six hours a day in the studio, most days,” she says.

. You can also to

hibit. ■

to learn more about Yukon Artists @ Work and . You can also whatsupyukon.com to see more pictures of Sandra Storey’s ex-

Black Bear with Two Kites

Ghost of the Merry-Go-Round

PHOTOS: Submitted by Sandra Storey