FIDDLES IN THE NORTH
For the first time ever, the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition is being held in Whitehorse on August 24.
Canada’s national fiddle contest, the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition, will be held in the North for the first time this August.
With a vibrant fiddle scene and creative community, it makes perfect sense for the competition to be held in Whitehorse and this August, along with the Grand Masters Fiddling Competition, youth fiddlers from across the territories and northern B.C. will learn and perform together as part of the Pan-Northern Youth Fiddle Summit.
“We’re going to make a huge impact and a huge statement hosting in the north,” said Benjamin, a prolific Gwitch’in fiddler originally from Old Crow, with a long family history of fiddling.
“Up in the north, we have a huge fiddling community, and I take the Indigenous perspective of fiddling in the north where we have a huge culture for that. Here’s my opportunity to bridge that gap a little bit.”
thought about us,” says Benjamin. “I’m really happy and proud that we can be included in their society.”
Clark agrees with Benjamin that the Yukon being the hosting grounds for this national competition is a testament to the strength of the North’s fiddling culture and community, saying Whitehorse also has all the necessary infrastructure and support to facilitate such an event.
With the Yukon’s own Fiddleheads acting as the host organization, co-chairs Boyd Benjamin and Keitha Clark have been working for two years to bring this endeavor to life. When the idea was originally brought to the two of them, they had a conversation to hash out possibilities and together decided they ought to just go for it.
The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition has been a prominent and renowned event in the country for 30 years, and is treading new waters taking place at the Yukon Arts Centre.
The competition is held annually at the end of August, and around 35 fiddlers from across Canada compete for the title of Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Champion.
“It’s been great that they
“It’s definitely a landmark year for the contest, since it’s never been held in the north,” she said. “We’re able to highlight the northern fiddling culture in a rich way.”
Clark, another ambassador for fiddling in the Yukon, is a teacher, performer and composer, and has founded fiddling programs in Teslin and Haines Junction. She also
PHOTO: Mike Thomas/Yukon Arts Centre
The Yukon Fiddleheads perform at the Ashley MacIsaac concert
serves as the Artistic Director of the Fiddleheads. She and Benjamin are dedicated to keeping fiddling alive in the Yukon, with a point to focus on the traditions of the territory.
Benjamin is happy to see the land and culture of the North being acknowledged as part of this year’s events. Growing up and being mentored by and playing alongside many other Indigenous fiddlers, it means a great deal to him to see a strong focus on the Yukon’s unique Indigenous fiddling culture, while welcoming musicians from across the country to experience it.
“Hopefully we do it the right way and for the right reasons and make everyone happy and proud,” he said. “It’s making a huge impact so far, and so I’m really proud of that.”
While Benjamin is a passionate musician who lives and breathes fiddling, he doesn’t see himself as a competitor, making his role as a facilitator more suited to him, though there has been an awful lot of administrative work for
both he and Clark. With the big weekend approaching, the two are excited to see their years of work pay off with a massive feat for the territorial and national fiddling communities.
A day ahead of the main event, there will be a barn dance at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, capping off the three-day Pan Northern Youth Fiddle Summit, which takes place August 21 to 23. This summit will bring together 100 young fiddlers from the Yukon, N.W.T., Nunavut and northern BC. In addition to the barn dance, this will include workshops with Canada’s top fiddlers, rehearsals, jam sessions and a waterfront culture hop.
“There’s never been an opportunity for northern youth musicians to gather like this,” said Clark. “The Arctic Winter Games has provided a similar thing for sports, but this is the first of its kind I know of for music, so that’s super exciting to be able to do it here.”
The Grand Masters hadn’t been held west of Winnipeg until 2019,
when the competition was hosted in Abbotsford, B.C. With the competition coming north and marking a special and historic year, it only made sense for Benjamin and Clark to go as big as they possibly could, and giving 100 young fiddlers the chance to learn from and experience the artistry of the country’s top fiddlers was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.
“These youth fiddlers can, maybe for the first time, get the chance to see what happens at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition, and maybe that could inspire them to continue playing the fiddle,” Benjamin explained. “It’s about the longevity of our tradition in the north.”
For Benjamin, it’s crucial to inspire youth to pick up the fiddle and stick with it, so a new generation of players can carry on the traditions of fiddling in the north. Coming from a family lineage of fiddling himself, he sees it as his responsibility to pass on his skills and knowledge, just as his mentors and family members did for
him.
The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition, as per the organization’s website, was developed to promote and preserve Canadian Traditional Fiddling, as well as to provide national recognition to the top Canadian fiddlers. Many past competitors have gone on to become Juno winners, Canadian Folk Music Award winners and international recording and touring artists.
The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition takes place August 24 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Tickets for all the events are available online, and more information can be found at https:// yukon2024.com. All are welcome and encouraged to come and be part of this landmark celebration of northern music and tradition.
“People in the north dance because they feel happy and it makes them happy,” said Benjamin. “They smile, they laugh, and when they dance, they dance to fiddle music.”
The Fiddleheads with the traditional drum made by Kaska Artist Dennis Shorty for the first place award for the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition
PHOTO: Mike Thomas/Yukon Arts Centre
PHOTO: Courtesy of Fiddleheads
Marlon Davis runs a promotional booth at the Farmer’s Market
204-204
Brendan Hanley Member of Parliament Député du Yukon
867-668-6565
Brendan.Hanley@parl.gc.ca Wishing
I remember the steamboats the old man said.
I remember them coming in spring. I remember the paddlewheels churning the water and bringing us many good things.
I remember us kids rushing down to the docks, each wanting so hard to be first to see what was unloaded, rolled off the decks,hearts pounding as if they would burst.
Those boats meant the end of the winter even more than the Break-up, it seems.
Those boats brought back old friends, and many new faces, some filled with impossible dreams.
But the years went by and they built up the road;oh, how those trucks rattled and clanked. And one autumn day they pulled out the steamboat and left them to sit on the bank. They left them to rot and sink into decay,as the cold and the wet wore them down.And they’ve settled still lower with each passing year,at the end of the tourists’ campground.
Now decaying mem’ries are all we have left of the days when those boats ruled the river.We pass them each time we travel to Moosehide and the sight gives us all a slight shiver.
For like the great king in that poem by Shelley these wrecks now crumbling so fast seem ironic reminders of a golden time, an era that never could last.
“See us - remember the glory we had,” those sad old ships seem to say. And the forest encroaches and eats up their limbs, and the river runs far and away. ■
Our dentists and team of dental hygienists have been proudly serving the Whitehorse community for many years. Come in for your first consultation and you’ll leave with something to smile about.
You can expect friendly and welcoming care in an environment that relaxes even the most anxious patients. We all love what we do, and look forward to welcoming you and your family to our practice.
Elke Reinauer is a writer, based in Germany, with strong ties to the Yukon. Please email comments about her articles to
YUKONER AIMS FOR TOP OF THE PILE
Yukon-based Jemymah Familoni is a 17-year-old with big dreams and is currently competing in America’s Next Top Hit Maker.
According to their website, Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser and through online competitions like America’s Next Top Hitmaker, it offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making an impact.
Participants can win $10,000 to kick-start their career and will appear in The Rolling Stone magazine, combined with performing at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase in Austin, Texas. This year’s winner will also receive mentoring from Busta Rhymes.
When Familoni heard about the competition, she didn’t think twice: “If I win the $10,000, it would help me kick start my music career,” the teenager said. She added she would use the money to buy musical equipment to enhance both her music and music production. In addition to that she would donate a percentage of the money to a charity in the Yukon. Familoni said that African music is her inspiration. She is also inspired by the Yukon. “I want to represent this unique territory everywhere I go,“ she said in a Q & A on the contest’s website.
Familoni discovered that she could sing by the age 11, she told What’s Up Yukon. Singing is more than just a hobby for her. “My mom discovered my talent, because she is also a singer. I just recently became confident in my voice, (when I turned 16). I’m 17 now and I still have some doubts about myself, but there’s no denying that I have a talent. It might need some work and training but it’s there.” When she read about the contest online, she sent in a
demo of her voice.
Familoni is originally from Nigeria and moved to Whitehorse with her family in 2021. She is attending St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, where she will go into Grade 12 this fall. She describes herself as a very happy person with a unique sense of humour. “I am originally Nigerian and that plays a role in the way I sing, talk, act and do everything. I want to also be a representation of my home country in my art,“ she stated. Familoni said that she is going into the industry with a clear mind and ultimate goals.
“I want to have my first single out by next year and lots more after which will make me officially get into the industry as a singer and songwriter.” Jemymah also said that she is still exploring and experimenting with different genres. “The genres I have my eyes on are Afro-beats and Jazz. I have also been going through a series of daily voice trainings to enhance my vocals, because vocals are the musical instrument I have.”
When she has finished school, she wants to do music part time and go to university in a bigger city to get a degree of some sort.
“I also want to be a lawyer. In the US and Canada, you need to have a degree before you fully go into law school,” she said about her plans. She is dreaming about taking a gap year to focus on music full time after her first degree, she added. Familoni is sure that she will reach them with her talent, patience, dedication and determination.
“I have dreams of becoming
Magnetic North 2024: The First Spark October
8th-9th
Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
one of the most versatile singers and songwriters in the world. I want to be an international superstar because of my unique style of music and my voice.“
Besides participating in the contest she has started a fan base for herself. “My supporters are currently called “Jemmies” with a gem emoji as the symbol. I have a
fan base page on Instagram right now already.“
Only one person can win the contest. According to Familoni there are over 60,000 participants.
The winner will be announced on or before September 13, 2024. So people can still vote for Familoni at: https://tophitmaker.org/
Familoni said she is pursuing her dreams—no matter if she wins or not. She is sure she will continue to make music in her own unique way. “I am so excited for the world to have me and I hope they are too!,“ she said. ■
PHOTO: Courtesy of Jamymah Familoni Jemymah Familoni hopes to win the contest of America’s Next Top Hitmaker
GREY MATTERS
THE JOYS OF GRANDCHILDREN
was never one of those adults who is automatically attracted to other people’s children.
I did babysit as a teenager back in the 25 cents per hour and 35 cents per hour after midnight days, but I never sought out babies to hold or neighbour children to entertain. My three active boys were enough kids for me.
When I was 67 my first grandchild was born, and I was privileged to be present at her birth. Yes, a granddaughter! And four years later, a second granddaughter! I have been amazed at myself to see how much I have bonded with these girls and how much I enjoy their company. I know that I am very fortunate to have them living in the same city as my husband and I. Many of my friends and acquaintances have grandchildren who live so far away that they are lucky to see them once or twice a year or even less.
mother such as me continue to blow bubbles, paint rocks, climb a tree (a little bit), ride a bike (cautiously), run through a sprinkler, or build Lego? (Actually, I do have some adult Lego!) Going for a walk in the forest or even on a sidewalk with one of my granddaughters, forces me to slow down and notice the little things.
For example, ants. The activities of ants are very interesting and provide opportunities for conversations about all sorts of things. A one block stroll can take quite a while and provoke many conversations about community, working together, etc. With the addition of an inexpensive magnifying glass, a whole new world opens to them and to me. Rocks, plants, and insects that I would normally pass by without a glance become subjects of interesting conversation with lots of whys and hows. I am amazed at the willingness of kids to sit and quietly observe a butterfly or bee or bird. As adults we often lose the capacity for wonderment.
I have been told that the fun hours spent together will decrease as the girls get older and activities with friends, at school, in clubs, in lessons and play dates take precedence. The girls are now aged four and eight and I already see this happening with the elder one. The other factor is that as I get older it becomes harder to keep up with all that energy and the actual physical activities.
The eight-year-old can now bike further and faster than me, run much faster, and so on. This past winter I was still one of her ski coach-helpers in Jackrabbits but no longer able to demonstrate falling and getting up and playing soccer on one ski. I think next winter it will be back to Bunnies with the younger granddaughter.
Children keep one feeling younger and force a more active life. Why else would a grand-
I also learn things from my grandchildren. Their questions motivate me to look up facts and words and places. I learn new skills myself and practice patience teaching them some skills of mine. One of my granddaughters is lefthanded and teaching her to knit is very challenging.
When I think of my grandchildren and all children, I am reminded of the problems in the world around us. The children ask hard questions about the future, the planet, and ecology.
They force me to confront the mess I have contributed to the environment we live in. I am fearful for their future and feel the need to do what I can to mitigate the damage and to teach them skills to be resilient in the face of the challenges ahead. I try to teach them that they are loved not just by me but by a community of people and that they are important to us all.
Not everyone is privileged to
have grandchildren close by or at all. But there are many young families and children around who would appreciate surrogate grandparents.
Giving young parents a break from their kids is a gift to them and to you and to the children. Children love to be noticed and taken seriously by adults other than their parents. I believe that every senior’s facility and longterm care institution should include a daycare or preschool as part of its structure and establish a relationship with a nearby school, where children can relate to elders. It benefits the children and the elders.
At the United Church here in Whitehorse we get up and greet each other during the service, shaking hands and “passing the peace.” When I see my little granddaughter running to shake hands with the folks who can’t move around so well, the joy in these elders’ faces is wonderful to see.
Children and grandchildren belong to us all! Let’s look after them! ■
column with Susan Clark
Susan Clark has always been an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys canoeing, camping, biking and cross-country skiing. Her other passions include spinning wool, knitting, reading and writing. Since coming to the Yukon she has taken two sessions of Creative Writing at Yukon University and belongs to two different writing groups.
PHOTO: Susan Clark
Grandma dissecting an owl pellet to look at with a microscope
CARMACKS
ATLIN
Sundays
St. Martins Anglican Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM St. Martins Anglican Church 10:00 AM Everyone is welcome.
Atlin Christian Assembly 11:00 AM St. Atlin Christian Centre 10:00 AM Everyone is welcome
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
CARCROSS
Second Sunday of Every Month St. Saviour’s Church Services 2:00 pm St. Saviour Church
867-668-3129
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
Thursdays Yoga with Jess Ghùch Tlâ Community School Beginners welcome, all equipment provided. Drop-in, Free admission! For more info email yogajessyukon@gmail.com.
Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:
Sunshine Restaurant
Carmacks Rec Centre
CDC / CIBC Bank
Tatchun Center General Store
Sat Aug 17 Village of Carmacks 40th
Anniversary 5:00 AM Carmacks, Yukon
Sat Aug 24 Cyanide in the Water 4:00 PM Carmacks Recreation Centre A Concert to Ban Heap Leach, featuring headliners, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, with Love and a .38, and a host of incredible local bands! Tickets online. https:// whatsupyukon.events/179080 First & Third Tuesdays of Every Month Carmacks
PM Village Bakery and Deli Dinner + music experience, patrons can enjoy a freshly prepared meal while taking in the beautiful views and listening to the featured Yukon musician/band of the night. Reservations online. https://www. villagebakeryyukon.com/live-music.html
Fri Aug 23 2024 Summer Music Series - Brigitte Jardin 6:00 PM Village Bakery and Deli Dinner + music experience, patrons can enjoy a freshly prepared meal while taking in the beautiful views and listening to the featured Yukon musician/band of the night. Reservations online. https://www. villagebakeryyukon.com/live-music.html Sat Aug 24 2024 Summer Music Series - Patrick Jacobson 6:00 PM Village Bakery and Deli Dinner + music experience, patrons can enjoy a freshly prepared meal while taking in the beautiful views and listening to the featured Yukon musician/band of the night. Reservations online. https://www. villagebakeryyukon.com/live-music.html
Sun Sep 1 Haines Junction First Annual Car Show & Shine 11:00 AM Haines Junction, Yukon Junction Show & Shine - Lets gather to celebrate our passion for cars. Cars , Trucks, SUVs , EVs and Bikes! Door prizes and fun to be had! Call 334-8012 for more info.
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]
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
Water Wednesdays 1:30 PM Pine Lake Come
Join us every Wednesday for an afternoon of paddling in the traditional cedar dugout canoe! Da Kų Cultural Centre.
Seniors and Elders Refreshments and Games 2:00 PM Haines Junction Seniors Residence 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.
AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 3:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre
BGC Rec in the Gym 3:30 PM St. Elias Community School Art Journaling Group 3:30 PM St. Elias Community School Bring your own creative supplies that you like to use. This can be scraps of paper, magazines, glue, paint, pen, markers, stamps, ink etc. and a book or journal to create Thursdays
Romp & Run 11:30 AM Bill Brewster Arena Drop
Pick up your
& Open Mic Night Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) 7:00 PM family-friendly open mic night at KIAC. Admission by donation with all funds raised donated to a different community group each month. Last coffee house of the season May 4 to resume in the fall of 2024.
Weekly
Mondays
Handbuilding Pottery Drop-in 6:30-9pm 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.
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. Summer Volleyball 7:30 PM Victory Gardens Outdoor Volleyball 18+ Free, drop-in - check both Victory Garden and Minto Park will take place at Minto Park until the grass is in at Victory Garden.
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) QYS Drop-in 1:00 PM DCMF Office
Tagish Library is an active and bright addition to our community. What’s Up Yukon, discover what’s happening around the Yukon Yukon Learn at Tagish Library 2:00 PM Tagish Community LIbrary Targeted literacy programming by Yukon Learn at the Tagish Library. What’s Up Yukon, discover what’s happening around the Yukon.
Coffee And Chat 2:00 PM Tagish Community Centre
Thursdays
Carpet Bowling 10:00 AM Tagish Community Centre
Tagish Library 12:00 PM Tagish Community
LIbrary Tagish Library is an active and bright addition to our community. What’s Up Yukon, discover what’s happening around the Yukon
Tagish Local Advisory Council Meeting 7:00 PM Tagish Community Centre .
Saturdays
Tagish Library 12:00 PM Tagish Community
LIbrary Tagish Library is an active and bright addition to our community. What’s Up Yukon, discover what’s happening around the Yukon
TESLIN
Mon Aug 12 Summer STEM camp - Teslin 5:00 AM Teslin Recreation Complex Programming to inspire Teslin children and youth n in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Trades. Sat Aug 24 Community Flea Market & Garage Sale
Mondays AA: Teslin Group (O) 7:00 PM Catholic Church Rectory
Tuesdays
Adult Slo Pitch League 6:30 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex
Adult Slo Pitch League 8:00 PM Teslin Lake
Pickleball 12:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation
Dominos 1:00 PM Teslin Recreation Centre Drop in seniors Pickleball 7:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex
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) Welcome Wednesday Supper and Games
6:00 PM St Paul’s Anglican Church 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.
CFYT Trivia Night The Drunken Goat Fun filled night of Trivia. Every other Wednesday. A variety of trivia categories! Come with your team or join a team when you arrive!
Thursdays
CDC Toddler Program 10:00 AM Klondike Institute of Arts & Culture KIAC
Parent & Tots 2:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex
WATSON LAKE
Sat Aug 17 Yukon Pride 2024 - Watson Lake Watson Lake Yukon Pride is coming to Watson Lake - this year’s theme is “A Chosen Family Reunion”. https://www.queeryukon.com/upcomingevents
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
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 Watson Lake Secondary School 7:00 PM 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.
Fridays Friday Night Lanes 7:00 PM Call 335-7979 to register Saturdays Disc Golf 6:00 PM Raven Pines Rent discs at the Rec Centre or bring your fave. All welcome from expert level to beginner. 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
I50 LAKES
This summer, Wendy is launching the 50 Lakes Project. She will SUP 50 Yukon lakes within three to four hours of Whitehorse and will create a guidebook profiling the 50 lakes and their stories. See you out on the water.
GREAT THINGS CAN COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
love surprises.
Let’s be honest, as adults, there are not enough of them. That little moment and a squeal of delight! The natural high, the glowing smile that they give and leave you with. Discovering so many new-to-me Yukon lakes this summer ranks up there with life’s great surprises.
From the Watson Lake territorial campground, I launched my SUP heading south into the wind, toured the south and east corners and looped around the island and back. The headwind was strong, so cutting the tour short, I headed back. The shoreline at the campground is small.
There is no beach; barely room
My 50 Lakes project continues, having already stand-up paddle boarded (SUP) 22 lakes in May and June. For July, I had squeezed in a two-week block with no agenda but paddling. Starting in the East, I headed to Watson Lake. I confess that up until now, Watson Lake had always been a drive-through town for me, only stopping to fillup and provision for the long drive South. For 50 Lakes, I had only planned to paddle Watson Lake before moving on.
for a boat launch and the brandnew dock. Beside it, there is a playground; nothing fancy, just close proximity to shore. As I made coffee and breakfast on the picnic table, other paddlers arrived to assemble their folding kayaks. Families arrived with their kids or grandkids to enjoy the playground. Dog walkers stopped to chat. Boaters arrived with their fishing rods. Suddenly, there was a mini pop-up village. People talked about the winds,
and
with the kids. After a string of solo paddles on quiet lakes with not a single person in sight, I more than welcomed this impromptu party.
With the warmth of a community-style breakfast, my introverted self was fueled to check out the town. A quick stop at the Visitor’s Information Centre (VIC) was a great start. The staff there were a wealth of local knowledge sharing their love for their town, lakes and special spots.
I headed first to Wye Lakes, a short distance down the road from the Alaska Highway, right in the heart of Watson Lake townsite. I had once dismissed these lakes as too-small and too-busy to bother paddling. Both lakes shared their little gems with me.
There are two easy access points to launch on Second Wye
cont’d on page 11 ...
column with Wendy Morrison
paddling craft and fishing spots. We shared stories
giggled
PHOTOS: Wendy Morrsion
Lucky Lake
Lucky Lake disc golf course
Lucky Lake Recreational Day-Use Area sign
Great
Lake; one is shared parking at the trailhead for a popular year-round trail. Then off to Wye Lake Park to launch on First Wye Lake.
The park includes a boardwalk leading into the marsh for watching birds as well as dragonflies and damselflies (called odonates, 17 varieties have been identified at Wye Lakes). There is a community cabin with a back porch overlooking the lake, a gazebo, picnic area, benches and a community garden. The pride in the beauty of this community park was obvious, even with the grounds-crew on site caring for every detail. Further down along the lake is a community beehive park and a playground. A year-round multi-use trail wraps around the lake.
On the advice at the VIC, I headed next to Lucky Lake, a short drive south from Watson Lake.
Previously, in passing by along the highway, I had seen the sign for a waterslide and assumed that it was a private lake resort. Instead I found a Town of Watson Lake Day-Use Area combined with the Liard River Canyon Recreation Site. While the lake is small and wouldn’t be a choice for paddling for any distance, it’s certainly a destination in itself. The site boasts a white sand beach, a
floating dock and 60-foot waterslide (the only one like that North of 60). For recreation, there is a playground, volleyball net, baseball diamond, horseshoes, and a
24-hole disc-golf course. Facilities make it an easy place to spend the day with picnic tables, change rooms and firepits.
While I moved onto larger
more remote lakes with epic landscapes, the Watson Lake area was remarkable in its own right. The town has a special art of wrapping their beautiful local lakes in com-
munity. Creating space that is accessible and welcoming to all. It was a great surprise that still puts a smile on my face. One that I’ll be back to enjoy again. ■
First Wye Lake from the cabin back porch
Second Wye Lake
Wye Lake Park sign
A BERRY GOOD TIME:
Reflections While Picking Berries
What the Yukon lacks in fruit trees it makes up for with berries.
Strawberries, saskatoons, haskaps, raspberries, currants, blueberries, mossberries, cranberries, rosehips—there’s so much abundance growing all around us. It’s one of my favourite things about living here. Around mid summer I basically turn into a bear and can be found making my rounds outside most days nibbling on some kind of berry or another. If it’s a good year the extra ones make their way into the freezer, but just the luxury of eating something sweet and delicious right from the bush is enough in its own way.
It’s mind blowing, really, how we’re gifted these delightful little treasures by mother nature. We don’t have to plant them, we don’t have to water them and yet we get to enjoy them for free.
I guess that’s why I try to never take them for granted. Some years are really great berry years and others not so much. Some years there isn’t enough rain or the bears get them first. Sometimes a flock of migratory birds can completely strip your berry bushes in the course of a few hours. You can just never be sure.
It’s always a good idea to keep a few bags from previous years in your freezer because you never
know when a year will come where you can’t stock up. In fact, there was an article that came out this spring about a study conducted by University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and Government of Yukon researchers which came to the conclusion that wild berry production is declining in the Yukon. ( https://www. cbc.ca/news/ canada/north/ scientists-wildberries-decline-in-yukon-andthey-don-t-know-why-1.7139863).
Some believe that climate change is the cause. Of the five species studied over the span of two decades, only lingonberries (lowbush cranberries) increased in abundance (https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjb2023-0068).
Wild northern berries are vitally critical to the survival and wellbeing of many animals who live in
• Excavators (Cat 315 to Cat 330)
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• Frost fighters 350K BTU
• Heat Trailers, Ice fighter 700K BTU
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the Yukon. Berries are consumed by creatures big and small, from a tiny vole to a giant grizzly. Caribou, grouse and even moose are fans. They’re also a fundamental traditional food and dietary component for humans too. Harvesting berries is an important cultural practice for First Nations as well as being central to a sense of identity and well being as individuals and as a community. I think for northerners, in general, berry picking brings so much joy
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(and nutrition) to our lives.
Perhaps it’s such a beloved activity in summer because it brings out the inner child in us. Fingers stained dark purple and a tummy full of deliciousness is bound to make almost anyone pretty happy. While everyone goes about it a bit differently (some eat while they pick, others put everything directly into their pail without tasting a single one and a few just stand around chatting with an almost empty container forgotten in their hand) the end result is the same—total contentment. I imagine it’s what a squirrel must feel like after sticking a few more cones into its midden (food cache) in late fall.
For me, berry picking is a temporary escape from the hamster wheel of life. It’s one of those activities that gives me time to loosen the reins on my thoughts and let them wander more freely for a little while. It’s a pause in an otherwise busy day—almost like meditation in motion. Meditation only became mainstream fairly recently, in the mid 20th century or so. My theory is that it’s not because humankind hasn’t always benefited and needed a daily dose of mental calmness and clarity but because our lifestyles changed so much that our regular daily activities weren’t providing us with that break anymore. The lives our ancestors lived were filled with meditative activities like walking long distances, weaving, working the land and foraging. Modern technology changed all of that.
So here we are, in the second half of a gorgeous Yukon summer and berry season is back. I don’t know yet how much will end up in our freezer this year but what I am sure of is that I’m going to enjoy and be grateful for every
little red and purple morsel of sweetness that I’m lucky enough to find. Berry picking can teach us many things: to seize the moment, to not be greedy, to respect one’s neighbours, to share with other creatures, to love the land and most of all, that nothing can compare to the flavour of something grown in the wild. I hope that many future generations will be able to experience the pleasure of this special part of life in the North and that we’ll be blessed with many more bountiful seasons of berries. ■
Jessica Surber loves being in the mountains, working with plants and exploring all that lies beyond her comfort zone. She divides her time between Peru and the Yukon. with Jessica Surber POSTCARDS
Blueberries
Wild strawberries
Wild Haskaps
Saskatoons
Raspberries
PHOTOS: Jessica Surber
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED
2024 FARO GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Air North
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Craig McKinnon
Midnight Sun Drilling
Parsons
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PLATINUM
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GOLD
Castle Rock Enterprises
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Cobalt Construction
Discovery Store
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EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.
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MOST HONEST TEAM
Roos & Rednecks
THANK YOU to everyone who supported the FARO Golf Club’s 25th Annual Tournament, whether by playing in the tournament, attending the dinner or concession or by providing donations. A special THANK YOU to the businesses who sponsored the special holes and the Town of Faro staff who did a great job of setting up and supporting us in so many ways.
Team Taylor
Lumel Studios
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Taku Sports Group
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Meadow Lakes Golf Course
VanGorda Enterprises
Whitehorse Automotive Solutions
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 44 TEAMS THAT MADE IT TO OUR 25TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT!
Harry Meers Memorial Trophy (Hole 9)
Men’s Closest to the Pin (Hole 1)
Gary Drinnan
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Mya Cobb
Men’s Longest Drive (Hole 5)
Chris Thomas
Women’s Longest Drive (Hole 5)
Siana Mills
The biggest THANK YOU to our fabulous VOLUNTEERS – without you we would not have been able to put on this fabulous event that everyone says was the best ever.
Registration is open for next year’s tournament. Visit farogolfclub.ca/tournament to register.
WHERE ART AND SCIENCE MEET
The Kluane National Park and Reserve Artist in Residence Program
How might you draw the sound of aspen leaves in the breeze of a late June day? Or paint the smell of a prickly rose? How do you capture the feeling you get from seeing that burst of yellow from a blooming arnica?
On June 30, Yukon-based science illustrator and artist Misha Donohoe invited people to explore such questions during an artist walk called Mapping the Landscape at Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake) in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
At several stops along the Cottonwood Trail, participants used their senses to interact with the environment around them, translating their experiences onto squares of paper with pencil and paint.
Unbeknownst to the participants, on the flipside of those squares were sections from a topographic map of the area. When pieced together like a puzzle, the topographic map—with its lines, numbers and scale bar—provided a geographical representation of the area’s features, while the sensory “map” on the other side told a different kind of story.
Erin Jamieson, Public Education Outreach Officer for Parks Canada, helped facilitate the walk.
cies are offered each summer, hosted at the Arctic Institute of North America’s Kluane Lake Research Station, providing access to the richness of nearby Kluane National Park and Reserve.
The residency aims to give artists space to explore the interplay between science, conservation, and art, with opportunities to connect with researchers and scientists in the Kluane region. In turn, artists share their skills and perspectives with visitors and residents through public workshops, talks, or ‘artist at work’ drop-in sessions.
“At this point in my practice,” Donohoe shared in an interview with the Yukon Arts Centre, “it’s the connection between things, between people, between communities, and land that is the most rewarding pursuit.”
Trained in evolutionary biology and science communication, Donohoe brought a unique perspective to the residency, and allowed herself to be open to how the experience might change that perspective.
The activity led to discussions amongst participants about the different ways of knowing and
“We had the [topographic] map put together, taped it together, and then we had this lovely map of the area. When we flipped it over, there we had all of our drawings of things we’d smelled and things we’d listened to and things we touched.”
Artist Basia Hinton in her studio, Dawson
interpreting a place. “You could have a really in-depth conversation about how one side of that thing that we ended up making is purposeful, but then the other is maybe more indicative of connections we make with our bodies,” Jamieson shared.
The artist walk was one of
Choose your Own Art Adventure
artwork.
three public activities Donohoe hosted as part of her Kluane National Park and Reserve Artist in Residence experience, along with a botanical illustration talk and a field sketching workshop.
With support from the Yukon Arts Centre, Parks Canada and the University of Calgary, two residen-
“I’ve been able to think really differently about the art that I’m making and just explore openended questions with the art that I make. And that has been such a joy and so liberating, especially given the context and the beauty cont’d on page 15 ...
Photo: Miriam Behman
Kathy Burden is a communications officer for Parks Canada.
PHOTOS: Parks Canada/P. Gowdie.
Participants exploring the Cottonwood Trail during the Mapping the Landscape workshop with science illustrator and artist Misha Donohoe in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
Where Art and Science Meet
of the place that I’m in,” Donohoe said of her time in the region.
“This opportunity to create art without an economic agenda, without a client in mind, and certainly without a scientific outcome in mind, has been wonderful to see the whole in every individual flower and plant and insect and bird and just notice how they all connect.”
The second artist in residence for 2024 is contemporary fibre artist Bettina Matzkuhn. Using embroidery, paint and fabric collage, Matzkuhn explores themes of ecology, weather, and geography in her work. Matzkuhn will be at the Kluane Lake Research Station from August 20 to September 3.
ARTIST TALK AND TEA
August 23, 2024, from 6 to 7:30 pm
At the Kluane Lake Research Station
Bettina Matzkuhn will discuss her use of fibres and textiles as a language and a means of depicting contemporary concerns. She will describe her process as her works trace a love of maps, weather, natural history, and landscapes.
NEXT EDITOR
The Community Development Fund supports projects that contribute to the Yukon’s cultural, economic and social development, like funding for animal shelters in Dawson City and Faro.
You can apply for funding to:
» build new facilities;
» renovate or restore buildings and lands;
» develop new skills and knowledge;
» conduct research and planning; and
» host community programs and events.
Apply by September 16 for projects between $20,001 and $75,000. Learn more: yukon.ca/cdf
STITCH VOCABULARY WORKSHOP
August 24, 2024, from 2 to 3:30 pm
At the Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake) Day Use Shelter
Learn five basic stitches that will allow you to make lively and expressive marks on cloth. Take a thread for a walk and see where it goes! No experience necessary and all materials provided. Tea and hot chocolate will be served.
OPEN STUDIO AND SHARED PROJECT
August 31, 2024, from 1 to 2:30 pm
At the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre theatre in the Da Kų Cultural Centre
See how fabric and embroidery allow Bettina Matzkuhn to speak about nature. She will have work in progress, samples to handle, and some finished pieces to help answer your questions. All are welcome to contribute to a communal embroidery project! ■
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS with Kluane National Park and
Reserve Artist in Residence Bettina Matzkuhn
Putting the puzzle pieces together of the Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake) area.
The Mapping the Landscape workshop group’s sensory map.
Misha Donohoe on the shores of Kluane Lake during her artist in residence program.
ACTIVE LISTINGS
Thu Aug 15 Mushroom Power Up 1 7:00 PM
Whitehorse Join local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner for a primer on fungi and a short walk to see how many we can identify. Register online. https:// yukon.ca/en/wild-discoveries Sat Aug 17 2nd Annual Veterans vs First
Responders Golf Day Meadow Lakes Golf Club Free golf & lunch - 4 person scramble - register by email Rebecca.murphy@ptga.ca https:// whatsupyukon.events/58z Tue Aug 20 Mushrooms 101 7:00 PM Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre Join local fungi enthusiast Sam Skinner for a lecture about the biology of Yukon mushrooms. Share resources you might need to go mushroom hunting yourself and provide examples of what to look for when identifying the fungus among us. https://yukon.ca/ en/wild-discoveries
Thu Aug 22 Mushroom Power Up 2 7:00 PM
Whitehorse Join local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner for a primer on fungi and a short walk to see how many we can identify. Learn about the importance of fungi in our ecosystems and why a mushroom is like the tip of an iceberg in the ocean. Register online. https://yukon.ca/en/wild-discoveries Sat Sep 07 Klondike Road Relay Rotary Peace Park An epic experience unlike any other race and we encourage all levels and ages to participate. Runner or walker; adult or youth; the full race or our shorter, modified route - the KRR is for everyone!
Mondays
Judo For Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 AM Morning Strength and Conditioning 7:30 AM Northern Strength Academy Functional fitness training to be stronger and injury-resistant. All levels are welcome. Train ‘functionally’ with NSA Co-owner Jeremy McCulloch. https://northernstrength.ca/ Move & Meditate - Slow Vinyasa Yoga 8:30 AM Avalanche Athletics Immerse yourself in a tranquil journey of movement and mindfulness with our Moving Meditation - Slow Vinyasa Yoga. http:// amitieyoga.c
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 1/2 9:30 AM Northern
Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement! Register online.
Elderactive Pilates level 2 10:40 AM Northern
Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement! Register online. http://cuts2.com/jiacg
Noon Strength and Conditioning 12:00 PM
Northern Strength Academy Functional strength class teaches compound multi-joint lifts that improve athleticism, strength, coordination, power and more. https://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.
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.
Zumba with Bonita 5:45 PM 7th Ray Studio
A fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Register online
Women’s Muay Thai Kickboxing Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 PM The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions. Move & Meditate - Slow Vinyasa Yoga 6:45 PM Avalanche Athletics Immerse yourself in a tranquil journey of movement and mindfulness with our Moving Meditation - Slow Vinyasa Yoga. http:// amitieyoga.ca
Spirit Bear Karate 7:30 PM The Heart of Riverdale Community Centre http://spiritbearkaratekobudo.ca
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 7:30 PM Rest & Restore-Meditative Yin 8:30 PM Avalanche Athletics Suitable for all levels, offering variations and props to support individual needs. Bringing a yoga mat, comfortable clothing, water bottle and block are recommended.
Tuesdays
Strength for the Endurance Athlete 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 Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 AM Séances de yoga 8:00 AM Flow and Fly – Vinyasa Yoga 8:30 AM Grace Space This dynamic and invigorating practice is designed to awaken your inner strength and leave you feeling revitalized and empowered. Elderactive Yoga with Richard until Oct 24 9:30 AM Northern Lights School of Dance explore the great variety the IYENGAR Yoga method has to offer Yoga with Barbara until Feb 20 10:00 AM Whitehorse United Church Use side door All Levels Yoga. Email bfraingower@gmail.com Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - drilling Eight Days Martial Arts 12:05 AM Yoga-Yoga Nidra 5:45 PM 7th Ray Studio Awaken and then release
Strength for the Endurance Athlete 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 Noon Hatha Yoga until Dec 7 12:00 PM Grace Space Relax, energize and leave with more mental and physical space and capacity! Register online. http://cuts2.com/gmGhI
No-Gi
Babynastics with Coach Ewan 1:00 PM
Polarettes Gymnastics Club A semi-structured parent and tot class for new movers, all the way to age 5. Immerse your little one in song, socialization and a very colorful and stimulating environment. Free with membership. https://www.polarettes.org/ babynastics
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Eight Days Martial Arts
4:45 PM
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts
6:00 PM
Midnight Sun Fencing Club: Adult Beginner
7:00 PM Grey Mountain Primary School If you are looking to learn fencing as an adult. In this class students are taught fencing technique, strategy, and fitness.
Fridays Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 AM NSA Spin Classes 6:30 AM Northern Strength Academy NSA offers Indoor Cycling classes with certified instructors Adrienne Marsh and Maria Wise. Improve your conditioning and strength on the bike! https://northernstrength.ca/ Yoga Classes at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
9:30 AM Yoga mats are provided. Booking options that include yoga classes alone and yoga with discounted entrance to Eclipse are available.
eclipsenordichotsprings.ca/yoga-classes YCS Guided Hikes 10:00 AM Miles Canyon Meet our guides for a free walk through Kwanlin (Miles Canyon). With splashes of culture, history, botany, and terrible jokes! No-registration required, Free, just meet us at the bridge!
Thursdays Noon Hatha Yoga 12:00 PM Grace
Space Energizing blend of Hatha and Kundalini with Pranayama (breathwork), Friendly and Community oriented space! Register online. http://www. gracespaceyukon.com
Muay Thai Kickboxing Eight & Mondays 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.
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 4:45 PM Tai Chi Yukon outdoor practice 5:30 PM On the Wharf at the foot of Main Street. Call 335-4813 for more info.
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts
6:00 PM No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - teen classes Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 PM Muay Thai Kickboxing 7:30 PM Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.
Saturdays Flow & Fly – Vinyasa Yoga 8:30 AM Avalanche
Athletics A dynamic and invigorating practice is designed to awaken your inner strength and leave you feeling revitalized and empowered. All levels, Bring yoga mat, comfortable clothing, water bottle and block are recommended. http://amitieyoga.ca
YCS Guided Hikes 10:00 AM Miles Canyon Meet our guides for a free walk through Kwanlin (Miles Canyon). With splashes of culture, history, botany, and terrible jokes! No-registration required, Free, just meet us at the bridge!
Saturday Morning Strength and Conditioning 10:15 AM Northern Strength Academy Full-body movements to improve functional strength. Suitable for all levels and aligns with NSA’s strength programming. https://northernstrength.ca/ Yoga Classes at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs 10:15 AM Yoga mats are provided. Booking options that include yoga classes alone and yoga with discounted entrance to Eclipse are available.
eclipsenordichotsprings.ca/yoga-classes No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - drilling Eight Days Martial Arts 12:05 PM Open Mat Eight Days Martial Arts 12:05 PM
Sundays Circus Sundays 10:00 AM Avalanche Athletics We will have equipment for people to try out, including stilts, juggling stuff, aerial silks, aerial hoop, static trapeze, spinny things, balance things… NSA Spin Classes 10:00 AM Northern Strength Academy NSA offers Indoor Cycling classes with certified instructors Adrienne Marsh and Maria
Wise. Improve your conditioning and strength on the bike! https://northernstrength.ca/ Yoga Classes at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs 10:15 AM Yoga mats are provided. Booking options that include yoga classes alone and yoga with discounted entrance to Eclipse are available. eclipsenordichotsprings.ca/yoga-classes
WELLNESS LISTINGS
Mon Aug 12 Grief Walk and Picnic 6:00 PM Join Hospice Yukon on August 12 for a special walk with a picnic meal when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. https://hospiceyukon.net/en/2024/07/08/ picnic-walk/ Tue Aug 13 Yukon Education - Creating Dementia-Friendly Environments 10:30 AM Whitehorse Public Library Learn about strategies for creating more supportive, inclusive and welcoming environments for people affected by dementia. To register, call 1-888-852-2579. https://whatsupyukon. events/7d0 Tue Aug 13 Yukon Education - Introduction to Brain Health 2:30 PM Golden Age Society Learn ways to maintain or improve brain health by exploring topics including risk reduction of dementia, memory and brain training. To register, call 1-888852-2579. Wed Aug 14 Summer Series: Grief and Chronic Conditions 12:00 PM Chronic Conditions Support Program (CCSP) Learn about how grief can affect you when you live with a chronic condition, and how it can be supportive to name and address specific losses. To register, call 667-8733 or email ccsp@ yukon.ca. https://yukon.ca/en/events/summerseries-grief-and-chronic-conditions
Sat Aug 17 Sound Journey 7:00 PM 7th Ray
Studio Sound healing can help you clear energetic blockages and thus facilitate healing on a physical and mental level. Register online. https:// www.7thraystudio.com/ Thu Aug 22 Getting to know Glucagon 12:00 PM Chronic Conditions Support Program (CCSP) Learn about the signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia and demonstrate the importance and use of nasal glucagon from a registered nurse. To register, call 667-8733 or email ccsp@ yukon.ca. https://yukon.ca/en/events/getting-knowglucagon?date=2024-08-22 Fri Aug 23 Sound Healing 6:00 PM Creative Initiatives Warehouse Instruments such as Tibetan and crystal singing bowls, gongs, drums, to improve our well-being by creating a beautiful experience. https://whatsupyukon.events/62s
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.
Monthly 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month The Prenatal Lunch Network 12:00 PM NVD Place (Old Canadian Tire Building) A free prenatal lunch network. Each week will feature a different activity. Call 332-5054 or 332-6476 for more info.
1st Wednesday QYS 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent & Guardian Peer Support Nights 6:00 PM Queer Yukon Society The Cache We want to provide a space where parents and guardians of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth can find connection and support from their peers.
2nd Wednesday Blood Collection and Lab Work
9:00 AM Queer Yukon Society The Cache Blood Work and Lab Collection Clinic! We will provide regular clinics for blood collection & lab requisitions
1st Thursday of every month Men’s Gathering 5:00 PM A safe place for men to connect with each other and learn traditional teachings. For more info contact Rob at 332-5708 or Rob.McLean@kdfn.net
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. https:// whatsupyukon.events/4en
Last Monday Blood Collection and Lab Work 9:00 AM Queer Yukon Society The Cache Blood Work and Lab Collection Clinic! We will provide regular clinics for blood collection & lab requisitions
Last Sunday Spoonie Support Circle 2:30
PM Queer Yukon Society The Cache A low-key community hangs, engage in peer support in facilitated conversations on topics brought forth by participants, and meet other spoonies! For details and to register islairhysrathlin@gmail.com
Mondays Sally and Sisters 11:30 AM Whitehorse United Church 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 Yukoners who are pregnant or have a baby under 12 months are invited to learn about feeding their infants and get support with challenges. Call 393-7120 to book a private appointment or drop-in.
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.
AA New Beginnings Group (O, A) 8:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral (Hellaby Hall)
AA New Beginnings Group (OM, NS) 8:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral
Tuesdays
Sally and Sisters 11:30 AM Whitehorse United Church A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.
Healthy Babies Healthy Futures 12:00 PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre An inclusive Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program for parental & infant support. Enjoy a Drop-In lunch and connect with other families. https://whatsupyukon.events/8kd
AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305
Wood St. Captain Martin House ARKA Brotherhood Men’s Circle: Porcupine Squad 6:30 PM Whitehorse A confidential, structured space that empowers men to transform themselves into self-aware, self-disciplined, empowered and trustworthy leaders. Email mjvernon@gmail.com for more info. http://www. arkabrotherhood.com
AA UglyDuckling Group (C/M, NS) 8:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral New members always welcome, this is a non smoking group.
Ugly Ducklings Group (O,A) 8:00 PM Christ
Church Cathedral Held in person or by zoom – ID 251-363-5766, call 778-907-2701 for more info.
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
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
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
If you sense your car drifts or pulls to one side, you could have a wheel alignment problem. The alignment of your vehicle’s wheels can affect the way it handles. Your car may drive fine, but when you look at your tires, you may notice that they are wearing. Your steering wheel could also feel not centred. Our team of professionals can align your wheels by placing your vehicle on a wheel alignment machine. This machine uses laser guided measurements to allow our mechanic to set and adjust the suspension components back to the factory specifications. You can prevent the impact of wear and tear on your tires, reduce pulling and feel confident in a safer drive.
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RRROOOAAADDDD TRIP!
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SEASONAL RECIPES
BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE
t’s finally fruit season and there have been tons of blueberries in the farm stands and grocery stores. A simple crumble like this is a great use of blueberries that may have gotten shoved to the back of the fridge and gone a bit soft.
Serves
Ingredients
❑ 6 cups fresh blueberries
8 Tbsp all-purpose flour, divided
Method
1. Set oven at 350 F degrees. Toss fresh blueberries in a bowl with 4 tablespoons of flour, then place them in a 8X8 pan. Combine remaining flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter in the bowl and mix together until you have a smooth paste.
2. Spread crumble mixture over blueberries then place in preheated oven. Cook until blueberries are bubbling and crumble is brown, about 30 minutes. ■
Sydney [Oland] Keddy is a recipe developer who lives in Whitehorse. Her work can be found in The Boston Globe, Seriouseats.com as well as in other publications.
PHOTOS: Sydney Keddy
Blueberry crumble
Blueberries
Crumble
Crumble dry ingredients Add butter!
ETOO MUCH KALE?
very year at this time we wish we had staggered our kale planting. It’s all ready at once. We are smothered in kale. We will continue to be so until after the first frost. Many of you gardeners will be in the same boat.
But, no matter. Washed, dried, and chopped, kale can be packed into resealable bags and frozen for use all winter. And the ways to use fresh kale are legion. I’m thinking of kale vichyssoise (served hot or cold, depending on the weather), kale and hazelnut pesto, kale risotto, kale and wild mushroom pizza—there are so many options! Here are some simple summer recipes to be getting on with while new ideas brew.
Now, about that arugula….
,CROUTONS
A wise cook once told me that brioche hot dog buns make the best croutons. He was right—they’re both crispy and melt-in-the mouth. Nobody will break a tooth.
❑ Six brioche hot dog buns, preferably day-old
❑ 2 to 3 Tbsp olive oil
❑ 1 tsp salt
❑ 1 Tbsp dried herbs—oregano, thyme, or rosemary, or a combination of all three
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice hot dog buns in half and cut each half into cubes. If buns are fresh, toast cubes for 5 to 7 minutes before coating with oil and herbs. If buns are slightly stale, place cubes in a large bowl without toasting.
2. Pour olive oil over top and toss to coat cubes evenly. Sprinkle in salt and herbs and toss again. Toast for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned and crunchy. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature before using.
3. Store extra croutons in a resealable bag in the breadbox and use within a week. Alternatively, freeze croutons for up to three months.
CAESAR
❑ 1 lb kale, stems removed
❑ 1 Tbsp olive oil
❑ 1 1/2 to 2 cups croutons (recipe follows)
❑ 3 thick slices bacon
❑ 1/2 to 3/4 cup Caesar dressing (recipe follows)
❑ 1 to 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Method
1. Cut slices of bacon into thin chunks and cook in a cast iron pan over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and let cool to room temperature.
2. Tear kale leaves into salad-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Pour olive oil over top and toss with clean hands to coat the leaves. Massage leaves gently to soften them—this step is especially important with curly kale.
3. Add bacon and croutons to the bowl and toss again. Pour 1/2 cup of dressing over top and toss gently. Ideally, some croutons will stay crispy, some will absorb more dressing and become softer.
4. Add Parmesan cheese and toss again, distributing cheese throughout the salad. Taste a crouton and a leaf—enough dressing? Enough cheese? If not, add more and toss again. Serve at once.
Makes 4 generous servings.
CAESAR DRESSING
❑ 2 cloves garlic
❑ 3 anchovies packed in oil
❑ 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
❑ 1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar
❑ 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
❑ 1 Tbsp dried tarragon or 2 Tbsp fresh
❑ 3/4 cup olive oil
❑ Salt to taste
Method
1. Place anchovies, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor and process to a paste.
2. Add Dijon mustard and vinegar and pulse a few times until combined.
3. With the machine running, pour olive oil through the feed tube in a steady stream until all the olive oil is used up and the dressing is thick and creamy.
4. Taste the dressing and add salt as necessary. Serve at room temperature. Store leftover dressing in the fridge and use in 7 to 10 days. Shake thoroughly whe Makes about 1 cup.
❑ 1 lb kale
❑ 1 Tbsp butter
❑ 1 Tbsp olive oil
❑ 2 cloves garlic, minced
❑ 1 cup heavy cream
Method
❑ 2 oz old cheddar cheese, grated
❑ 2 oz Parmesan, grated
❑ 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
❑ 1/2 Panko crumbs
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Wash kale, shake dry and chop finely, stems included.
2. Heat butter and oil in a 10-inch cast iron frying pan. Once it sizzles, add kale, working in batches. As each batch wilts, push it to one side and add the next until all the kale is in the pan.
3. Cook for two to three minutes, maximum, then add garlic and toss. Pour cream over top and cook briefly, just until cream starts to thicken.
4. Transfer kale to an 8 x 8-inch baking dish, or just leave it in the pan. Sprinkle cheese over top, followed by breadcrumbs and Panko. Cover with tin foil.
5. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is browned and the cream is bubbling through. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Makes four servings.
QUICK-PICKLED KALE STEMS
As one of my neighbours said recently, we just don’t know what to do with kale stems. Here’s an idea: pickle them.
❑ 1 cup chopped kale stems
❑ 1/2 cup water
❑ 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
❑ 1 Tbsp sugar
❑ 1 tsp kosher salt
❑ 1/2 tsp fennel seed
❑ 1/4 tsp fenugreek seed
❑ 1/4 star anise pod
❑ Pinch of chili flakes
Method
1. Pack kale stems into a clean 240 ml canning jar. Combine remaining ingredients in a small pot, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Remove brine from heat and pour into the jar of kale stems. You might not use all the brine; reserve any extra for use in salad dressing. But if there are any spices left behind, scoop them out and add them to the kale stems.
3. Cover the jar and allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Store in the fridge for up to a month.
Serving suggestions: use on charcuterie plates, in tartar sauce, as a condiment for burgers or curry dishes, in tacos, to accompany scrambled eggs…or wherever pickles are welcome.
Makes 1 cup. ■
PHOTOS: Miche Genest
KALE
SALAD
CREAMED KALE GRATIN
ART SHOWS
Until Aug 30 45 Years of Northern Light with Lillian Loponen - A Farewell Exhibition YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery This small retrospective showcases how Loponen masterfully captures the light, underscoring her deep connection to the Northern landscape. https://yukonartscentre. com/whats-on/45-years-of-northernlight-with-lillian-loponen-a-farewellexhibition/
Until Aug 30 Show Off - A Yukon Ceramics Showcase Arts Underground On view in both the Focus and Edge Galleries, Yukon makers of all skill levels to showcase bowls, plates, sculptures, cups, etc.
Until Aug 30 CAMP by Couzyn Van Heuvelen YAC Yukon Arts Centre
Gallery Couzyn van Heuvelen’s sculptural installations in this exhibition build from van Heuvelen’s earlier investigations into hunting and fishing practices by shifting focus to the chores and communal spaces that take shape around the harvesting and preparation of food.
Until Aug 30 Stories Within by Yukon First Nations Artists YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery This exhibit brings together Yukon First Nations artists to delve into the rich traditions of storytelling embedded within their practices.
LIVE MUSIC
Tue Aug 13 Pat LePoidevin & Corey Isenor 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well A night of Canadian indie folk music, musicians known for heartfelt songwriting, country reinforced with a touch of Canadiana to boot, expect a captivating performance. Cover charge at the door - or PWYD
Sat Aug 17 All Ages Live Music at the Cafe by Ed McLean 2:00
PM Kick off to Summer Party - BBQ Smokies, live music by Ed McLean and of course, coffee! Bring a lawn chair for a guaranteed seat as spots fill up fast!
Sat Aug 17 Riverfront Town Square Music Series 5:00 PM Friendly performances happen every Tuesday from July 2nd to August 27th at 5pm & 6pm! Enjoy the Whitehorse Riverfront and local music!
Sat Aug 17 Gina Burgess with Hendrika & Hanna Mazurek 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Gina Burgess, Hendrika and Hannah Mazurek play a solo set each for your listening
pleasure. Cover charge at the door.
Sat Aug 24 2024 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition 12:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre
A celebration at the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition, this competition brings together top fiddlers from Canada. Tickets online. https://yukon2024. com/ticket-info
Sat Aug 24 All Ages Live Music at the Cafe by Ed McLean 2:00
PM Kick off to Summer Party - BBQ Smokies, live music by Ed McLean and of course, coffee! Bring a lawn chair for a guaranteed seat as spots fill up fast!
Sat Aug 24 Riverfront Town Square Music Series 5:00 PM Friendly performances happen every Tuesday from July 2nd to August 27th at 5pm & 6pm! Enjoy the Whitehorse Riverfront and local music!
Monthly
Tuesdays
Acoustic Jam 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well
Wednesdays
Karaoke 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well
Whitewater Wednesday 8:00 PM 98 Hotel
Thursdays
Ginger Jam 7:00 PM Lefty’s Well
Saturdays
Live Music at Whiskey Jacks 7:00
PM Whiskey Jacks Pub & Grill At Whiskey Jack’s every Saturday. whiskeyjacks.ca/
Sundays
Open Jam 8:00 PM 98 Hotel
GENERAL EVENTS
Until Aug 14 Longlegs Nightly Yukon Theatre Longlegs Yukon Theatre In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets online or in-person at the box office. https://yukonfilmsociety. com/schedule/longlegs
Until Aug 15 Deadpool & Wolverine Yukon Theatre Matinees + Nightly Shows Wolverine is
recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy. Tickets online or in-person at the Box office. https:// yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule/ deadpool-wolverine
Until Aug 15 The Great Escaper Nightly Yukon Theatre Bernard Jordan escapes from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France. Tickets online or in-person at the box office. https://yukonfilmsociety. com/schedule/the-great-escaper
Until Aug 15 The Fabulous Four Nightly Yukon Theatre An uproarious comedy about a group of life-long friends who travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their best college girlfriend Marilyn. Tickets online or in-person at the box office. https://yukonfilmsociety.com/ schedule/the-fabulous-four Thu Aug 15 Beaded Vulva Workshop with Stormy Bradley 5:30 PM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Make a beaded vulva with Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin beader and artist Stormy Bradley! Register online.
Wed Aug 21 Words Out LoudAugust 7:00 PM Arts Underground An open mic event series for writers and readers alike, featuring Antoinette GreenOliph and Kate Neville.
Wed Aug 21 2025 Can Can Auditions 6:00 PM Northern Lights School of Dance Lady’s and Gentlemen! Get ready to bust out your dancing shoes! Register to audition and interview online. https://form.123formbuilder. com/.../2025-yukon-rendezvous
Sun Aug 25 Yukon Union School 8:00 AM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Labour education builds solidarity and knowledge, participants will collectively study one of 4 courses over the four days. Register online. https://yukonfed. com/events/
Monthly
2nd & 4th Mondays Service Officer 7:00 AM Royal Canadian Legion Whitehorse An invite to all Veterans, Police and First responders for the service hour at the Legion, socialise and find out what is going on. https://bit.ly/3Lm40ZG
& 4th
Campus Held in Rm A2204.
Discuss photography, share your work, learn new tips and tricks. http://whitehorsephotoclub.ca/
First Thursdays QYS Craft Night
7:00 PM Queer Yukon Society
The Cache This is a great place to gather and meet other queer crafters. And there will be tea of course. Regular drop-in is still available.
2nd Thursday QYS Movie Nights
5:00 PM Queer Yukon Society The Cache
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.
3rd Sundays Messy Church
3:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality. Crafts, singing and food will be the focus.
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
Play Pool 1:00 PM Golden Age Society Becoming more limber and agile in your movements through playing billiards is a great benefit.
Play Whist 1:30 PM Golden Age Society Classic English trick-taking card game which was widely played in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the rules are simple, there is scope for strategic play
Mtg: Competitive Commander
6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles
Women’s Bible Study
6:00pm Women’s Bible Study. Refreshments are served followed by the study. For more info check out www.mountainview.church or email rachel@mountainview.church.
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
Industry Night Lefty’s Well 8:00 PM All are welcome - 20% off everything for our industry familyhot dogs, tunes, games and happy hour all night! https://bit.ly/3L0J3Ce
Tuesdays
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 Queer Yukon Society The Cache 2:00 PM
Tarot Tuesdays 5:00 PM Caribou
RV Park Insightful and fun readings with Aimee (Bow & Arrow Tarot & Astrology) every Tuesday in Joe’s Cozy Cabin! Walk-in from 5-6pm or pre-book online. https://www. bowandarrowtarotandastrology. com/
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
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.
QYS Drop-in Queer Yukon Society The Cache 2:00 PM
Texas Hold’ Em 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 For signed in members and guests. Bragging rights!
Spanish Conversation 12:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Call 3336081 for more info.
Anglican Holy Communion –Whitehorse 12:10 PM Christ the Church Cathedral The Book of Common Prayer, 2nd Wednesday of the month
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
Anglican Thursday at the Cathedral 12:10 PM Christ the Church Cathedral Bring a lunch (Book of Alternative Services)
QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer Yukon Society & The Cache Fireweed Community Market 3:00 PM Shipyards Park Wonderful aromas, delicious fresh foods, and unique artisans from our approximately 70 weekly vendors. Grab a picnic dinner and get that special gift. Enjoy local live music and other amusements from buskers.
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
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.
Tarot Card Readings with Sari Horvath Baked Cafe 9:15 AM Sari uses her wisdom and guidance through tarot cards to help answer your life questions! Please use email to book appointments treasurebooksyxy@gmail.com
Coffee & Chat 11:00 AM Golden Age Society Coffee and chat is a way to connect with your community, develop friendships, and have fun.
Crib 1:00 PM Golden Age Society Cribbage is an easy game to learn but hard to master. For more info call 668-5538.
QYS Drop-in Queer Yukon Society
The Cache 2:00 PM
Mtg: Pioneer, YuGiOh Casual 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles
Saturdays
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
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
KIDS & FAMILIES
Mon Aug 12 Hand Games Day Camp 9:00 AM Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Learn about Handgames Calls & Judging & Game tutorials, make your own drum, drumstick and drum bag! Ages 10-18 years old. Email traditional.parenting@skookumjim. com or call 633-7680 to register. Transportation provided. Fri Aug 16 Harold and the Purple Crayon Matinees + Nightly Yukon Theatre Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. Tickets online or in-person at the box office.
Until Aug 16 Hadestown Teen Edition 7:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts
Centre A full-length teen edition of Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting, jazzinflected folk opera follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favour of his one true love, Eurydice. Tickets online. https://www.yukontickets. com/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/ tmEvent2853.html
Tue Aug 20 Kids Camp: Sculpture, Molds and Casting with Marlene Collins 10:00 AM
Arts Underground 4-day program, artist Marlene Collins will guide students and create one-of-akind sculptures, and learn how to create art copies and multiples. Ages 8-12 Register online. https:// arts-underground.myshopify.com/ collections/workshops/products/ kids-camp-sculpture-molds-andcasting-with-marlene-collins-august20-23-679a
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
Mondays
Drop-In 9:00 AM Polarettes Gymnastics Gym Open to all ages –Children, youth, and teens must be accompanied by an adult.
Yukon Family Literacy CentreSummer Drop-In 9:00 & 12:30 PM Pioneer Hotel at Shipyards Park Summer drop-in, read, activities, learn and explore! If you are sick, please stay home. For more info call 336-8577
Tuesdays
Yukon Family Literacy CentreSummer Drop-In 9:00 & 12:30 PM Pioneer Hotel at Shipyards Park
Summer drop-in, read, activities, learn and explore! If you are sick, please stay home. For more info call 336-8577
Story Time 10:30 AM Whitehorse Public Library Join us for stories, songs & rhymes! A free drop-in program for children ages 0-5 and caregivers at Whitehorse Public Library
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. Register online. https://whatsupyukon.events/lj5
Let’s Create - Crafting Together 5:30 PM The Child Development Centre A fun crafting group for families with children aged 2 and up, light dinner will be served, transportation available. For more info call 332-4997 or email donna. light@yukon.ca
Wednesdays
Yukon Family Literacy CentreSummer Drop-In 9:00 & 12:30 PM Pioneer Hotel at Shipyards Park Summer drop-in, read, activities, learn and explore! If you are sick, please stay home. For more info call 336-8577
Community Connections 1:30 PM Yukon Family Literacy Centre An intergenerational story time and craft program. Meet local elders, have a coffee, do some crafts, and make a friend!
Thursdays
Yukon Family Literacy CentreSummer Drop-In 1:00 PM Pioneer Hotel at Shipyards Park Summer drop-in, read, activities, learn and explore! If you are sick, please stay
home. For more info call 336-8577
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.
Fridays
Yukon Family Literacy CentreSummer Drop-In 9:00 AM Pioneer Hotel at Shipyards Park Summer drop-in, read, activities, learn and explore! If you are sick, please stay home. For more info call 336-8577
Saturdays
Moms & Kids - Summer Rec Program 11:30 AM Moms, aunties, and caregivers of all kinds, along with their kids ages 5 to 8. Siblings are welcome, but activities will be geared toward 5 to 8 year olds. Email summerrec@ vfwomenscentre.com for more info. Drop-In 3:00 PM Polarettes Gymnastics Club enjoy the gym as a giant indoor play space. A great place to practise skills or just play and explore! Open gym is for members only
Meetings
Weekly
Tuesdays
Rendezvous Rotary Tony’s Pasta and Seafood House 6:30 PM 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. 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/ Third Thursday ASAY board monthly meeting Sport Yukon 10:00 PM Third Thursday Yukon AntiPoverty Coalition Monthly Meeting 5:00 PM ZOOM Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition for regular meeting. Everyone is welcome. Call Kathy 334-9317 or info@yapc.ca for a zoom link or join us in person. https://yapc.ca/actions/detail/yapcsmonthly-meetings
Online Events
Tue Aug 13 Electoral District Boundaries Commission - Virtual Public Hearing #2 7:00 PM ZOOM https://us02web.zoom. us/j/83951059723
Fridays AA Yukon Unity Group 1:30 PM Online For Zoom Room address Contact 334-7693
Saturdays AA Detox Meeting (OM, NS) 1:00 PM Online For Zoom Room address call 334-7693.
Tuesdays 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.
aspires to be a book editor someday
FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE
My experience at Dance and the Child International (daCi)—a dance conference that was held this summer in Slovenia, the only country with ‘love’ in its name!
This summer I flew to Slovenia for a dance conference (daCi) with Northern Lights School of Dance.
As it happens, I’d never been to Europe before. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’d also never been on a team trip outside of Canada before and so I was even more unsure of what to expect than if it had been only a family vacation—not to mention I’d never been to a dance conference before. It was altogether a completely new experience for me. But I was all for it.
We arrived in Italy approximately one day after leaving Whitehorse (I never want to take a 10-hour flight again) and after three days in Venice, we took a four-and-a-half-hour bus ride to our final destination... Ljubljana, Slovenia! And what a beautiful final destination it was. It had so much character, and such an amazing landscape surrounding it. I couldn’t wait for the conference to begin; the thought of dancing in a different country with so many other people from around the world was… well, exciting to say the least. But before I get into that, let me talk about our hostel. Now, the hostel really wasn’t that bad. It was a brief bus ride away from the conference centre, and air conditioned (for the most part). Let’s just say I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed showering barefoot before this trip. The rooms were nice; three beds, a mirror, and an insane amount of storage space. Plus, there was a small kitchen available for use, with only a few spiders. But they stayed in their respective corners, so no hard feelings. What I most enjoyed, though, was the fact
that the hostel had a house cat. I will not be staying in a hostel that doesn’t have a house cat from now on.
After a day settling into our homes for the next week, it was finally time for the conference to start.
Throughout the week, we participated in daily dance workshops, learning different styles and elements of dance with different teachers and classmates from around the world. We also had a daily workshop in which we were kept with the same group the whole conference—this was our main group, and the one we would ultimately perform a dance with at the end of the conference. When we came to daCi, we’d also brought a choreographed piece to perform, which we performed the first night of the conference.
Now, if you’d have asked all of us dancers how our classes were, you would probably have gotten very similar answers from each person; they were fun, they were interesting. But mostly, they were hot. Most of us Yukon kids had never experienced this level of heat before. High humidity levels every day coupled with at least 30°C heat…oh, and most of the dance studios weren’t air conditioned. I would say the heat
was one of our greatest enemies on this trip. A lot of the time we would do anything to get out of the heat—be it spending our lunch break in the basement of a university building or booking a tour of the second-longest cave system in the country.
The main highlight of the trip for me was exploring Postojna Cave—a cave system in Slovenia where the average temperature was only 10°C, which was a bit disheartening, considering the temperature back in Whitehorse wasn’t all that warmer. Anyways,
aside from being cool inside temperature-wise, it was also insanely cool to see and experience. The different formations were beautiful, and the ‘Baby Dragons’ the caves are famous for were interesting to learn about and see.
But this whole trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of many people: thank you to the parents, who came to meetings and helped organize the trip and support their children. Thank you to the chaperones, who set up most of our time in Slovenia, helping with meals, activities, trans-
portation and more. Thank you to our sponsors, who provided us with resources and support, without whom this trip wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you to our choreographer, for helping us with such an amazing piece which we were able to present at the international conference. And thank you to our dance teacher, who was behind the entire trip, although they ultimately weren’t able to go with us. All of us dancers are incredibly grateful for an experience that has helped us love dancing even more! ■
column with
Aila Massie
Aila Massie is a high school student in Whitehorse. She enjoys expressing herself through many different forms, be it paint on canvas, pen on paper or onstage with her fellow NLSD dancers. She
PHOTO: Courtesy of Aila Massie
October 8-9, 2024
MAGNETIC NORTH 2024: THE FIRST SPARK
KWANLIN DÜN Cultural Centre
Whitehorse,
Yukon
Join us at Magnetic North 2024: The First Spark, where innovation ignites! Dive into groundbreaking sessions on food sovereignty, renewable energy, and cutting-edge AI technology. Be part of the spark that fuels a brighter future— register today and be inspired by the leaders shaping tomorrow!
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