PHOTO: Vince Fedoroff
CHARLIE:
Radio personality, ski athlete, star fiddle player
If you see a First Nation elder in Whitehorse wearing a George Jones T-shirt, chances are you might be looking at Ben Charlie. When I met up with this iconic broadcaster recently, I wasn’t surprised to see him wearing the shirt, which is clearly a favorite of his.
him to fill in on the Saturday request show–partly because it was broadcast in the Gwitch’in language, in which Ben is proficient. He’s been on the air ever since.
Ben has been spinning George Jones songs, along with a multitude of other old time country artists on CHON-FM for over 25 years on CHON-FM’s Saturday request show (Vun Drin So) and the Gwitch’in language show (Vuntat Njiik Nakaii) on weekday afternoons.
The 84-year-old recently received a lifetime achievement award in conjunction with the radio station’s 40th Anniversary celebration. He has become such a popular and well-loved fixture on-air, his listeners won’t let him retire. He says he tried once, but it didn’t go over too well.
As I soon found out through a few hours of conversation, there’s more to Ben Charlie than the familiar voice we hear on Indigenous radio.
Ben is the oldest of 12 children born to Peter and Fanny Charlie in Old Crow. He learned traditional skills from his parents and remembers, “Back then people were moving around, trapping muskrat and following the moose and caribou.
Growing up, everyone spoke Gwitch’in, he says. He learned to read and write mostly at home.
In his early 20s Ben met his wife, Effie, who was originally from Fort McPherson, N.W.T. The pair married and eventually moved to Whitehorse with their two young daughters.
That was when Ben stumbled upon radio work by chance. One day in the 1990s, the then-manager of CHON-FM (who had known Ben previously in Inuvik) asked
Ben’s language skills also landed him work interviewing First Nation elders about traditional culture, for the Yukon-made television program Haa Shagoon (Our People’s Voices). His wife, Effie, also did some translating work for the show as well.
It’s not surprising that Ben found his way to being known as a northern ambassador of old-time country music. While working on a trapline as a youth in Old Crow, the only station he could listen to on his transistor radio was broadcast out of Texas that played nothing but country.
“I get a lot of phone calls at the station from elders who saw me play years ago. They tell stories about the old days, and tell me to keep playing. I talk to lots of interesting people from all over. After a while you get to know what songs they want to hear.”
- Ben Charlie
This is how Ben came to know and love so many of the traditional country artists he plays on his show, such as Hank Williams Sr., Kitty Wells, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and a number of early country music pioneers who came before them.
Ben’s talents however, don’t end with radio. He is also an ac-
complished athlete. In his youth, he took up cross-country skiing in Old Crow under the direction of the now-famous Oblate priest and northern ski instructor, Father Jean- Marie Mouchet. Ben excelled at the sport, winning numerous competitions, eventually being chosen for Canada’s national ski team and travelling extensively to compete. By his 20s he had his coaching papers, and began mentoring young skiers in Fort McPherson.
Unfortunately a lot of Ben’s skiing plaques were lost when the Old Crow school burned down, but his accomplishments were definitely not forgotten. Some of Ben’s former skiing students still call him ‘coach’ whenever they see him.
A third talent that people know Ben for is his fiddle-playing. Ben became interested in playing music from an early age when his mom bought him a guitar from the Sears catalogue.
Ben says he fell in love with it and taught himself to play through jamming with a buddy on harmonica. Ben’s dad was a fiddle player, and kept one tucked under his bed. Young Ben would play it when his dad wasn’t home, and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps.
According to Ben, “Everybody played fiddle in those days.”
When he was old enough to play at a dance in Fort McPherson, his talents were quickly recognized, and he started getting asked to play all over. Soon he was playing fiddle contests, festivals and all sorts of other events in Fort Good Hope, Aklavik, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Dawson City, and Moose Hide, to name a few.
After Ben moved to Whitehorse with Effie and their daughters, he was playing fiddle with the Yukon
Jack Band in pretty much every bar in Whitehorse while doing janitorial work and radio shows at CHON-FM.
In 2000 Ben put out a 25-song CD called Old Crow Fiddler under his nickname ‘Ben Chuck’. His favorite fiddle tune, The Paul Ben Reel, is on that album, a song named after his uncle. Inspiration for the tune came from Ben’s father and other fiddle-playing family members.
One of Ben’s favourite places to play was the Midway Lake Music Festival that happens in the summer not far from Fort McPherson. The last time he played there was four or five years ago. He says the 24-hour daylight there goes handin hand with all-night dancing
and meeting up with old friends, which for Ben has always been a great time.
Recently at CHON-FM’s anniversary concert at Rotary Park in Whitehorse, Ben took his honorary spot on the stage to play fiddle once again, alongside many other Yukon First Nation artists. He’s a much-loved celebrity who just keeps on being in high demand. But what keeps him going?
Before Ben Charlie’s beloved wife of 54 years passed on four years ago, she told him, “I don’t want you to quit your radio show, or your fiddling.” So he hasn’t. He gets plenty of other encouragement, as well.
“I get a lot of phone calls at the station from elders who saw
me play years ago. They tell stories about the old days, and tell me to keep playing. I talk to lots of interesting people from all over. After a while you get to know what songs they want to hear.”
Ben never thought he’d make it to 84, much less still be hosting his famous radio show.
“It would be nice if I could train someone to take it over and keep the classic country request show going,” he says.
For now, he’s just taking it one day at a time, continuing to spin songs he loves, and connecting
with the many friends and fans who call him to reminisce and request a tune.
Ben says he’s proud of his radio work and fiddling accomplishments. But he hasn’t forgotten about his other claim to fame either.
“I’d like to try skiing again, just for the heck of it!” he says, with a youthful glimmer in his eye.
One thing is certain–this charming and multi-talented Yukoner will always have audiences from far and wide tuning in and cheering him on. n
Rylen Connor Judith Alfredo
L-R: Kevin Barr, Sandra Charlie, Ben Charlie, Ed Anderson
PHOTO: Vince Fedoroff
Sam Holloway’s move to the Yukon 50 years ago was a matter of chance
When your editor assigns you to interview someone you’ve long admired, it’s a major letdown when your quarry tries to give you the slip.
Fortunately, after a few days of resistance, Sam Holloway—writer, publisher, prospector, power company trouble-shooter and more— comes through with a welcome email.
“Sorry for being so contrary. I just have a fear of losing my privacy and my hermit lifestyle.”
and on and on.’ All you have to do is go outside and walk around and say, ‘Look where I am. I’m a success!’”
Holloway has never measured success in material terms. Once, while he was hanging out in Saint John, N.B., he won a bet with a friend about who could last a year with the fewest possessions. Sam got by with a toothbrush and a disposable razor. The other guy also had a tape recorder and a book. He has maintained a frugal lifestyle since moving to the Yukon.
“It’s only 350 square feet. I’ve got an electric toilet in there, the incinerator kind, so I don’t need a sewer system. My expenses are so low that I can get by nicely on my old-age pension. I actually have money left over at the end of every month.
“And I’ve got the same old trucks. I keep on monkey-wrenching them. I’ve got quite a few parts trucks in my yard. But if I moved to town, I’d be at that shelter, because I couldn’t afford the rent.”
But let’s roll back the clock a bit.
After training as an electrician in Toronto, Holloway worked for the Northern Canada Power Commission (NCPC) in the N.W.T. frequently being flown to various job sites as a trouble-shooter.
Now 77, Holloway has been a fixture on the Yukon scene for half a century, but that almost didn’t happen. In 1974, he was kicking around Edmonton, unsure where he wanted to settle.
“So, I flipped a coin and said, ‘Heads, I’m going to Yellowknife. Tails, I’m going to the Yukon.’ And it came up tails.”
Holloway was born in the Ottawa Valley area, the eldest of nine children whose father had a small business cutting pulpwood for nearby paper mills.
“I grew up in a big swamp. We never had electricity or anything,” he says, but he was determined from a young age to be where there were mountains.
“I used to cut pictures out of magazines and calendars. I had a big scrapbook of pictures of mountains when I was a kid, and that’s where I am now.”
Holloway says a reporter once asked him why people stay in the Yukon, where it’s cold and isolated.
“The first place I pulled into was the Carcross restaurant and gas station. They had all these old-timers sitting around, and I would listen to them. And one of them said that the key to living in the Yukon is to keep your expenses down, and don’t give a damn what anybody thinks of you. I took that to heart.”
He spent one season on the McKenzie River (“We actually took the first drilling rigs in to where they started drilling on the North Slope [of Alaska].”), worked for a while as an underground miner in Keno, and tried his hand in the Yukon goldfields.
“I never was a real miner. I was a prospector. I had some pretty good plays, but when I look at those other guys, they’re just gravel processors, running to a sluice box and standing there looking to see what would turn up.
“I just couldn’t do that, so I would always give those claims away, or sell them. I just liked the looking part.”
Holloway enjoyed various partners he worked with, and climbing the mountains he used to dream about as a kid living in an Ottawavalley swamp.
“I said, ‘Listen, you could take off for another land. Your kids could all end up in jail, the sheriff could come and get all your stuff,
After his wife died five years ago, Holloway sold their house at Army Beach and moved into a small cabin across the road.
“Another guy and I once fetched an 8-inch dredge, over the top of a mountain, all in pieces. This thing weighed about 800 pounds altogether. We put it back together, and we thought
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Freelance with Ken Bolton
PHOTO: Courtesy of Sam Holloway
MENDENHALL MUSINGS
column with Gary Atkins
Gary Atkins is the editor of What’s Up Yukon, and is proud to promote, feature and support All Things Yukon.
TERMINATION DUST
Well, well, well!
“There is a season, turn, turn, turn.”
As the termination dust starts to settle on the mountains and slowly work its way down, it’s my annual reminder of all of those things I intended to do but never quite got around to this past summer. Cleaning out the carport, cleaning out the shed(s), cleaning out the storage rooms in the house, etc.
Do you see a pattern here?
I’m going to blame it on the Oilers. Yeah, that’s it! I’ve been an Oilers fan since I was a little kid. We had season tickets all through the glory years. I witnessed Wayne Gretzky come and go as an Oiler and, of course, the decade of despair prior to the McDavid years.
So, of course, watching them right up until the end of June and Game 7 of the final round was far more important than cleaning out the shed. We’ll go with that.
As I get older, my enthusiasm for trying to tidy up places when I don’t have anywhere else to put the stuff does seem to wane. It’s a vicious circle. That termination dust on the hills is also my cue to get the house and yard ready for the winter. Some things can not be put off.
Our house is primarily heated with a woodstove. We have electric backup in about two-thirds of it, but that’s expensive, so we go through about three to four cords a year on average. I’m adamant about cleaning the chimney before we start it up in the fall, so I do my death-defying climb up onto the roof, usually three or four times during the process.
Don’t get me wrong. Over the years, I’ve worked on many siding and roofing crews and have no problems with ladders or heights. It’s just that lately, well … now I do. The stakes are higher. Older bones
cont’d on page 10 ...
Whitehorse is a beautiful city, but recent changes have been troubling: soaring housing costs, unsafe downtown areas, and insufficient sustainability efforts. With new leadership, we can address these issues. Eileen is ready to lead the way.
AFFORDABILITY: Eileen understands the urgency of addressing the housing shortage and rising costs in Whitehorse. She is committed to promoting partnerships with the Yukon government, Yukon First Nations, and the private sector to develop housing solutions that reflect the needs of all residents.
LIVABILITY: No matter where you live or work, you deserve to feel secure. Eileen will advance smart public safety solutions that will empower residents and business owners and address root causes like mental health issues and homelessness. She will also focus on reducing traffic congestion and champion the improvement of trails, including the Yukon government’s multi-use trail plan along the Alaska Highway Corridor.
SUSTAINABILITY: Eileen brings years of experience in fostering collaboration among diverse groups. As a councillor, she will work to advance Whitehorse as a leader in municipal sustainability, ensuring that the city’s future is shaped by inclusive, community-driven initiatives.
LET’S CONNECT!
Explore Eileen’s approach on key issues by following on Facebook and visiting the website.
Cell: 867-336-1499
Email: eileenforcouncil@gmail.com
C Eileen MelnychukforWhitehorseCityCouncil
Website: www.eileenforcouncil.ca
PHOTO: Gary Atkins
TRAIL BLAZER
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame names
Harris Cox its Groomer of
the Year
Nobody knows the crosscountry ski trails around Whitehorse the way Harris Cox does.
Now 83 years old, Cox has been grooming trails for an incredible 66 years, and is a well-known fixture on the local trail network. He joined the Klondike Snowmobile Association (KSA) as a director in 1998, and has since become the association’s vice-president.
Now, his work in the Yukon has earned him international recognition. He recently learned he is being honoured by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) as its Groomer of the Year for 2024.
“Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought I was going to get something like this,” Cox told What’s Up Yukon. “I didn’t even know it existed until I got the email saying congratulations.”
But Cox will be celebrating from home, rather than travelling to ISHOF headquarters in Eagle River, Wis. to accept his award in person. As he explains, the clos-
est international airports—located in Toronto, Ont., Memphis, Tenn., and Chicago, Ill.—are still lengthy drives away from the awards ceremony site.
“It’s an inconvenient place to get to,” he laughed. “In my mind, yes, I would like to be there, but the expense and the time and everything for 15 minutes of fame … you know.”
Cox’s legacy in the Yukon is far more than 15 minutes of fame, however. Through his voluntary work with the KSA, he spends around 20 hours per week grooming trails, as well as coordinating grooming with landowners and trail user groups as the association’s main groomer operator.
Before he discovered the enjoyment of grooming trails, Cox started out skiing while he was still in school.
“When I first came here, the [U.S.] air force had a recreation centre, which is now the Transportation Museum,” he explained.
“They had skis there they’d give out. They had toboggans for the kids to use, and all this other stuff. I started skiing right from the get-go up here because I wanted something to do in the winter time.”
According to its website, the KSA has been a volunteer-run organization since its formation in 1981. It strives to represent snowmobilers in the Yukon, with a mission to “protect, develop and en-
hance the sport and recreation of snowmobiling and snowmobilingrelated activities in the Yukon.”
The ISHOF was founded in 1984 by Elmer Cone. More than 140 individuals in the world of recreational snowmobiling have been inducted. Inductions are made and awards given out each year. Nominations can be made online.
Now enjoying retirement, spending as much time as he can on the trails, Cox says he’ll continue grooming as long as he’s alive–
t Grooming trails in a wintry wonderland
In memory of Peter Greenlaw u
going as far as to say he’d like to spend his last moments out on the trails–but it’s never been about awards or recognition for him.
“I’m not one to blow my own horn,” says Cox. “I’m just telling you that I love grooming trails.” n
p Harris Cox - Groomer of the Year -
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Harris Cox
Manus Hopkins is a Whitehorse-based journalism student and musician
Freelance with Manus Hopkins
NORTHERN VOICES AT WORLD’S BIGGEST BOOK FAIR
After years of planning, three Yukon writers will travel to Frankfurt in October
Three women writers are set to represent the Yukon in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, continuing a vision that began in 2016 to bring the voices and stories of the North to an international audience.
The initiative was originally spearheaded by the late Yukon crime-fiction author, Jessica Simon, who discovered that Canada would be the guest of hon-
our at an upcoming edition of the world’s largest book fair.
Simon played a crucial role in organizing a group of local writers, coordinating meetings, press releases and articles to unite them with the shared goal of representing Northern writers and artists.
As the group learned more about the fair, they worked to define the role Yukon artists might play on the global stage. Simon’s unexpected death in 2017, however, left a significant void in the project.
Two members of the original group, Kathy Munro and Elisabeth Weigand, took up the mantle, determined to continue Simon’s mission. Their goal has remained the same: to ensure that the world hears what Canada’s North has to
October 8th-9th
Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
say, through this prestigious literary event.
German writer and journalist Elke Reinauer, who had lived in the Yukon for two years and was a friend of Simon’s, joined them.
In 2018 the group visited the Frankfurt fair together to make plans. Initially, they had planned to showcase Yukon literary, visual, and performing artists at a rented venue in Sachsenhausen, as well as participating in the book fair’s Open Books program in 2020.
However, their application for funding was denied. Later, when the pandemic hit, the group disbanded.
Still, Munro and her colleague
remained optimistic, working toward realizing Simon’s dream, believing firmly that the world needs to hear the voices of Northern writers and recognize the literary achievements coming out of the Yukon.
Another fundraising application to bring a group of Yukoners to Frankfurt for the 2021 book fair was also unsuccessful. Canada was guest of honour without any Yukoners.
It took another three years to make it happen. At this year’s book fair, Munro, Weigand and Reinauer will read their work at Kultur im Blitz, a cultural event location in Frankfurt.
Munro will read from her books Contractions and Body of Evidence, as well as from Circumpolar Duett, a 1917 collaboration of Yukon writers and artists.
Weigand, originally from Germany, but living in the Yukon since 1993, will read from her books in German and English. She has written five books, her latest being Scatter my Ashes on the Fields Up Top.
Elke Reinauer will read from her German novel, which is set in the Yukon, as well as a short story and some of Jessica Simon’s work.
Munro looks forward to the upcoming reading.
“The event we are planning will not showcase all the amazing writers of the Yukon, but will bring a taste–a sample–of the diverse work being written in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.
“In addition, we will honour the memory of the woman who spearheaded the original plan to present Yukon writers in 2020…. We will celebrate the spirit of the
Yukon at this memorial event for Jessica.”
As the world’s biggest international trade show of its kind, the Frankfurt Book Fair represents a significant opportunity to showcase the writing, art, and culture of the Yukon to a global audience. Several thousand book traders will be in attendance, as well as members of the public.
The fair runs October 16-20. The event featuring the readings by Munro, Weigand, and Reinhauer will take place on October 17 at Kultur im Blitz, Kleine Rittergasse 11, Frankfurt. n
Kathy, Elisabeth & Elke
PHOTO: Courtesy of Elke Reinauer
Elke Reinauer is a writer, based in Germany, with strong ties to the Yukon.
Freelance with Elke Reinauer
Kathy Munro
Elke Reinauer
PHOTO: Cathie Archbould photography
Blind Encounters
4: 5-7 pm October 4 - 26, 2024 A group show based on a popular children’s game
Recreation
accompanied by an adult. Call or email
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
CARMACKS
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.
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
DAWSON CITY 9 9
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.
and visual artist. Tickets online in advance or at the door. https://kiac.ca/calendar-ofevents/ MONTHLY
1st Saturday of every month Coffee House & 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 6:309pm 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)
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
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.
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.
Haines Junction Thrift Shop 2:00 PM St. St. Christopher’s Thrift Shop is a great place to pick up items. Prices are low and numerous adult items are available for $2, and most items for children are $1.
Adult Volleyball 7:00 PM St. Elias Community School Meet in the school gym
JUNCTION
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 St. Christopher’s Church 10:30 AM 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
Last Wednesday of every month MLCS board meeting 7:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre
Tuesdays
Tea & Bannock – Haines Junction 1:00 PM https://whatsupyukon.events/tea-bannock68ab07
Men’s and women’s sewing group 1:00 PM Mun kų BGC Game Night 3:30
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
Play Bridge 1:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre North of 60 Seniors Coffee and Chat 2:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre
Wednesdays South of 6 10:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre 10:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre
Thursdays
Shuffleboard Marsh Lake Community Centre 6:00 PM
Fridays Beginner Yoga Marsh Lake Community Centre 10:00 AM
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 Free drop-In for kids 5 & under with parent/guardian Story time & free play!
Fridays Cards & Conversation 1:00 PM Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1 Dawson City Free! Drop-In! No registration necessary. whatsupyukon.events/dawson-legion8336c3
Open Studio Drop-in 1:00 PM Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) Enjoy KIAC’s bright, air-conditioned space to create and focus on your artistic practice. Even better- we’ve waived the drop-in fee this day.
Saturdays
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 Dawson City 7:00 PM Royal Canadian Legion In person or Videoconference option available Call 867-993-5095 or 867-993-3734 for more information
Sundays Anglican Church Service 10:30 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
MAYO
Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at: • Haldane Services
MOUNT
LORNE
1st Tuesday Monthly LAC Meeting Lorne Mountain Community Centre
Mondays Run Club 6:00 PM Lorne Mountain Community
Drop-In Yoga 7:00 PM Lorne Mountain Community Centre By donation all levels welcome Yoga with Jess 6:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre Beginners welcome, all equipment provided. To register or for more info email yogajessyukon@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,
by donation. Suitable for mature youth & adults. https://whatsupyukon.events/fhm
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
take longer to heal and my lovely wife Pam isn’t mobile enough to take care of herself and the house should I have a nasty accident.
So I just put on my big boy panties (and fall-arrest harness) and get on with it.
Our house has a huge addition on the side with a 13.5-foot cathedral ceiling–about a 15-foot high outside peak. From there I climb up onto the main roof, which is about a 25-foot peak.
The view is amazing. The chimney-cleaning process is not.
The chimney extends about seven feet from the roof, which involves taking off the brace and top four feet in order to get the brush in. I lower the top section, complete with cap, to the lower roof to clean that, as it’s a much gentler slope.
Time for a coffee break before I go back up and put it all together again.
Once it’s all safely put back together it’s time for a celebration … a beer and nip of tequila, clean out the woodstove and get it lit. Bearly Dog is always very happy, as are Pam and I. We’re reminded once again that the warmth of a woodstove is our absolute favourite. We wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Number one chore of the year is accomplished.
Number two chore is the well.
Ours is about 20 feet below grade.
The shaft is incredibly well made: two-by-six construction, fully insulated and vapour barriered. At the very bottom, by the well head, is a 150-watt infrared heat lamp that keeps the shaft and well warm enough to not freeze, until we hit about -40 for a few days.
Before the snow hits, I lift the lid and lower down a metal ‘milk barn’ space heater set to high. I use a 100-foot extension cord that reaches right to the deck, so when I need to, all I have to do is go out in my slippers and plug it in to thaw the well. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes until we have water again.
We’ve learned a few things about the well over the years. First is the incredible insulating value of snow. A few years ago, I didn’t put the heater down the well until it froze in mid-January. By then I had to shovel about three feet of snow off the lid just to get the heater down there.
(Some not-fit-for-print words emerged as I slogged through kneedeep snow in -40 temperatures to accomplish this task.)
After that, the well froze again every night for about a week without that snow cap on top to keep things warm. Lesson learned!
The other thing we’ve learned is that, when the weather forecast says it will hit -40 overnight, I go out just before bed and plug in the heater for 20 minutes. That seems to warm things up enough that the well doesn’t freeze. But we always pour a jug of water to make coffee in the morning, just in case.
Another really important thing is to empty and roll up our hundreds of feet of garden hose for the garden and greenhouse. Number three chore completed.
It’s always a great idea to pull out the pressure washer one last time to give the car and deck a squirt and knock the mud swallow’s nest off the big yard light so it doesn’t catch fire when it heats up.
Finally, after harvesting what’s left of the garden that didn’t already freeze, or get eaten by the deer, it’s time to mount the tiller on the tractor and give it all a really deep till. I’ll till it again in the spring before we plant.
The jury’s out on whether this helps, or if I’m just burying the weed seeds nice and deep to survive the winter.
I see that termination dust is creeping ever closer to ground level. It won’t be long until we start to see it in the yard. Living out in the bush has its challenges and chores, but we couldn’t imagine a better way to live.
I still have the pile of wood to split and stack in the woodshed, some tidying of deck chairs and a few other little things, but I can always do those later in the snow!
For now, it’s time for a beer and a nip, and to enjoy the warmth of that woodstove. After all, there’s an Oilers game on tonight! n
Bearly Dog loves the fire u
PHOTOS: Gary Atkins
The Death-defying climb q
p
dust creeping down
Tickets $15 Contemporary dance with Shay Kuebler
Ivan Coyote has crafted a playlist of stories that sing to us about how they managed to discover a coded but very possi ble queer future hidden in the music coming out of the AM rad io in the kitchen. With special guest Christine Genier. Ticke ts are $30.
LITTLE MISS HIGGINS
YAC thanks all its supporters with its annual Yukon er Appreciation Night concert featuring award-winning blues performer LIttle Miss Higgins. Tickets are on ly $10! Don’t miss out on this amazing show.
TRAVEL, TRADE, AND BLUEBERRIES
The thrill of picking blueberries in the White Pass (apart from the berries) is that you never know when the White Pass and Yukon train might go by
Possibly you have never ridden the train, probably you know a little about the history of the train, maybe you think “meh,” but when the horn bellows its long summons you can’t help yourself.
You pick up your bucket and run to the edge of the cliff to wave madly at the passengers within.
“Here I am, there you are, isn’t it wonderful that you are moving and I’m standing still, isn’t wonderful that we are each in our own way traveling?”
When you run into those folks later in the parking lot at Fraser, you with your full buckets, they with their photos and quick im-
pressions, you smile at each other in recognition.
At home, when you bake a batch of blueberry muffins, you remember that moment, those people, and the memory is baked right in.
The nature of travel is such is that on a train or an airplane you might find yourself sitting next to a person from Central America or Japan and become, for the duration of the journey, fast friends. The nature of trade is similar.
When you put your newly-picked, cleaned, and bagged berries into the freezer you might run into a clutch of bananas you froze last March. They are thousands of kilometres from the place they were grown and yet, here they are, in your freezer, next to the blueberries.
What comes next is inevitable.
SOURDOUGH BLUEBERRY BANANA MUFFINS
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1/4 lb), at room temperature
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter,
either active or unfed *
• 1 3/4 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 large bananas)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp table salt
• 1 cup wild blueberries
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts—walnuts, pecans, almonds—up to you!
*If you don’t have sourdough starter, substitute 1/4 cup buttermilk and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
Method::
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin, or line cups with paper liners.
2. Beat butter and brown sugar until smooth and blended. Beat in eggs, one by one.
3. Stir in sourdough starter (or yogurt, if using), mashed banana and vanilla. Add baking soda and baking powder and stir well to combine.
4. Whisk flour, spices, and salt together and add to the banana mixture.
5. Stir in blueberries and chopped nuts. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, dividing it evenly.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted in one of the muffins comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in a tin for up to five days, or freeze for up to three months.
Makes 12 good-sized muffins. n
DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE AND PROMOTE?
Let Mallory’s Postering help spread your messaging and showcase your high-quality posters and brochures to help get your message out there!
Sourdough Blueberry Banana Muffins
PHOTO: Courtesy of the author
Michele Genest is a Whitehorse-based chef and writer. She has also written two books: The Boreal Feast: A Culinary Journey Through The North and The Boreal Gourmet: Adventures In Northern Cooking.
Booking Deadline*
Monday, October 7
Tuesday, October 15
Monday, October 21
Monday, October 28
Monday, November 4
Issue Release Date
Wednesday, October 16
Wednesday, October 23
Wednesday, October 30*
Wednesday, November 6
Wednesday, November 13
Tuesday, November 12 Wednesday, November 20
Monday, November 18 Wednesday, November 27
Monday, November 25 Wednesday, December 4
Monday, December 2
Wednesday, December 11
Monday, December 9 Wednesday, December 18
Monday, December 16
Wednesday, December 25
* Deadline is 3:30 pm *Mail Drop issue
THE HALL CREEK KEEPER
Hall Creek is located along the northeast shore of Squanga Lake, located some 125 km southeast of Whitehorse, on the north side of the Alaska Highway
An odd occurrence took place along the creek in July of 1998. A local history enthusiast had been searching for a US Air Force plane that had gone down by Squanga Lake during the Second World War. At the time, US planes were being flown to Russia under a lend/ lease agreement between the two countries and the air route crossed the Yukon. One of these planes reportedly had crashed by Hall Creek.
Our history buff landed his boat at the mouth of the creek, planning to follow the creek for a few kilometres with the hope of finding the wreckage. He soon had to change his plan, though. The immediate terrain by the creek was a total jungle, just about impassable.
He crossed the creek and went up about ten metres further north to more open ground, where he could see the creek below, and would probably be able to see the plane’s wreckage.
About two km into his walk, he was surprised to hear loud screaming and strange vocalizations, along with thrashing sounds originating from the area of the creek below him. He noticed a strange smell as well.
Looking more closely at the creek, he could see a large, bipedal creature moving about by the creek, causing all the racket. He did not really know what it was, just tall and huge, as he later told me.
He then started feeling sick
to his stomach, seemingly for no reason, had a deep feeling of not being wanted, became confused and disoriented. He sat down for a while, trying to calm down. As the thrashing sound continued, he decided to get out of the area, quickly returning to his boat, and went back to the Squanga Lake Campground, where he had left his pick-up truck.
As it turned out the plane wreck was eventually located, closer to the south end of the lake.
Another occurrence took place at the same location in July of 2002. A Carcross Tagish First Nation couple was fishing around the lake, when at about 1 p.m., they decided to have lunch and pulled in at Hall Creek, tied up, and let their dog run around the bush– a normal routine, which quickly changed.
The dog had been running around for a few minutes, then came back whimpering, shaking, obviously scared of something, quickly jumped into the boat, trying to hide under the seats.
The couple could not figure out this strange reaction by their dog, why was it acting this way? Very unusual, odd, something that had never happened before.
The gentleman started investigating, walking a short distance into the bush when he noticed a very odd smell, similar to rotten eggs. The smell intensified as he went further in. Then, there was some movement a short distance away. Something heavy was walking about.
He first thought it might have been a moose or a bear, but that was soon dismissed as the heavy walking sound was bipedal. An entity which he could not clearly see, was distinctly walking on two feet.
That is when he started feeling confused, and an odd, unwanted feeling came upon him. Figuring it was not safe to go any further, he returned to the boat where his wife had stayed, and they went
further down the lake to find a more hospitable location to have lunch.
When he later heard of my interest in Sasquatch, he contacted me. We later met and he described what they had experienced that day.
During the interview he mentioned another similar incident with his dog as well, which had taken place on the eastern shores of Little Squanga Lake a year later. They had stopped to rest on the shore, and again his dog ran out in the bush, only to come back scared and petrified, and ran right into the boat, trying to hide. They then heard loud screams and scary yells they had never heard of before, and worse than the ones they had experienced at Hall Creek the previous year.
I investigated these occurrences in 2008 and experienced similar activities while camping across the lake from Hall Creek. n
PHOTO: courtesy of Red Grossinger Hall Creek
we were going to get rich. But we didn’t even get fly-shits. Then we had to carry it all back again,” he laughs.
“Maybe I’m just an irresponsible guy, but I’ve had nothing but fun for most of my life. What I regret the most is that I didn’t realize back then how wonderful it all was.”
While he was working for the power company, Holloway began dabbling in poetry as a way to kill time while waiting for flights.
“Not poetry, but ballads … the old Robert Service kind. I actually
put out a book of those ballads back in the ’80s. It’s still kicking around somewhere.”
He also wrote “a little goldpanning manual thing” in 1981, called Yukon Gold. “It still sells in the bookstore. I made more money off that book than I ever did from gold.”
In 1993, Holloway moved into fiction writing, with his first novel, The Bushman, coming out in 1993.
“It’s not very good, but we all learn as we go.”
His adventure-romance novel, To Seek For Eldorado, came out
earlier this year. He also has three other novels in development, including Remittance Man, about two brothers from Toronto who head to the goldfields hoping to strike it rich.
Perhaps Holloway’s best-known literary impact so far has come from the two magazines he founded and edited—The Yukon Reader (1989-94) and its successor, The Yukoner Magazine, filled with stories about historical and contemporary Yukon people and events.
Both magazines were cranked out on a modest A.B. Dick sheet-
fed press that had once produced Yellowknife’s first newspaper in 1947.
“I learned how to fix it, too. So that’s what made it possible. We had no printing bills, just the paper and the ink, and straight, honest storytelling about ordinary people.”.
At one time, The Yukoner boasted between 5,000 and 7,400 paid subscriptions worldwide, with each copy likely enjoyed by at least two readers.
“In many high-class outhouses, some copies have been read doz-
ens of times in the years since,” Holloway claims, before launching into a lengthy anecdote about visitors from Outside being disappointed to discover he’s “just this little guy” instead of a big, hirsute Grizzly Adams type. But that’s another story. And Sam Holloway has no end of them. n
One of many dogs Holloway has rescued from the Ross River area over the years
The eldest of nine children, Holloway claims to get on better with kids and dogs than with others. Seen here in Faro, Yukon with grandson Vova and dogs Snoopy (top) and Maggie
PHOTO: By John Obermier
PHOTO: By Linda Vernon
WELCOME TO FALL!
Oct 17 NEW: HOPE 4 U – RECONCILIATION OF CHALLENGES IN EVERYDAY LIVING
1:30 – 3pm CRN 90608 FREE Register by Oct 10
Oct 22-23 CONSCIOUS AGING: AGING WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE (workshop at Normandy Living)
9am-4pm CRN 90591 $75+GST Register by Oct 15
Oct 28 NEW: GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) AND CRIMINAL LAW – PART 2 10am-12pm CRN 90592 FREE Register by Oct 21
Nov 1 LOSS IN THE WORKPLACE
8:30am-12pm CRN 90550 $125+GST Register by Oct 25
Nov 6 MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI) (CRISIS AND TRAUMA RESOURCE INSTITUTE)
9am-4:30pm CRN 90593
$299+GST $269+GST Early bird registra on by Oct 16 Register through YukonU by Oct 23 Late registra on un l Nov 5 by emailing sam@ctrins te.com
Nov 13 UNDERSTANDING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 10am-12pm CRN 90597 FREE Register by Nov 6
Nov 21 FASD INFORMED SUPPORT
9am-4pm CRN 90598
$50 + GST Register by Nov 14
Nov 22 NEW: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW FOR ADVOCATES
9am-4:30pm CRN 90599
$125 + GST Register by Nov 15
Nov 27-28 APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING
8:30am-4pm CRN 90600
$225 + GST Register by Nov 20
Dec 10 NAVIGATING DIFFICULT CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS (CRISIS AND TRAUMA RESOURCE INSTITUTE)
9am – 4pm CRN 90601
$299+GST $269+GST Early bird registra on by Nov 19 Register through YukonU by Nov 26. Late registra on un l Dec 9 by emailingsam@ctrins te.com
Dec 11 INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND FAMILY LAW – PART 1
10am-12pm CRN 90602 FREE Register by Dec 4
Dec 12 SIT IN MY PUDDLE: THE ART OF EMPATHY AND HOLDING SPACE
10am-11:30am CRN 90603 FREE Register by Dec 5
REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
• Contact Registrations & Records at 867-668-8710 EXT 2 and quote the CRN;
• Register by emailing registrations@yukonu.ca WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 2024
GREY MOUNTAIN ROOM, 1 Sumanik Drive
Available Positions on Board:President / Executive O cer (1 seat)
Treasurer-Secretary/ Executive O cer (1 seat)
Director at Large (3 seats)
Term: November 2025 to November 2027
Nominations run until October 23rd, 2024
Please RSVP your interest to: o ce@yukonag.ca
NORTH OF 60 CONFERENCE AND BANQUET
NOVEMBER 23, 2024
KWANLIN
DÜN CULTURAL CENTRE
Local Products Menu Inclusion: We’re excited to showcase local agricultural products at our event! If you have November products, contact us to see if we can include them in our menu.
Travel Incentive: We are committed to ensuring everyone can join us.
Sponsorship Opportunity: Join us as a sponsor to showcase your commitment to Yukon’s agriculture community.
Fundraising Opportunity: If you belong to an agriculture-a liated organization seeking a fundraising platform, contact us to enter the draw for a chance to fundraise at our conference banquet.
Photography Opportunity: We are seeking a skilled photographer, whether professional or amateur-get in touch if you’re interested!
For information contact: Projects@yukonag.ca
JOIN US FOR A CULINARY CELEBRATION OF THE REGION!
Takhini River Ranch will be our o cial caterer for the upcoming conference and banquet. They will be providing a delightful local breakfast, lunch and special banquet, featuring fresh ingredients sourced from other talented producers right here in Yukon!
SHANGHAI NOODLES
and quickly he made incredible food with nothing but a few woks and some pots of boiling water.
PREPARATION:
Like to wok? Like to eat tasty stuff? Like to have short cooking times with amazing food at about $5 a plate? You’re going to love this dish! This recipe will feed four hungry people or up to six for regular-sized plates.
The best thing about Shanghai Noodles is that as long as you have proper fresh noodles and the right sauce you can add pretty much whatever you like. I’ve used leftover pork, beef, and even turkey at times. This works equally well in electric woks and traditional stove top one’s and it always turns out fantastic.
This one I did up in an electric wok set to 400F. Make sure you have a lid that fits, if not it’ll take a little longer. Depending on what you use, prep time is about 10 minutes and cooking time is about 15. Ingredients may vary, but here’s what I used for this one:
INGREDIENTS:
• Fresh Shanghai Noodles
• Stir fry beef
• Prawns
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Garlic
• White onions
• Sesame oil
• Oyster sauce
• Black bean sauce
• White wine
• (Water chestnuts and snow peas are a really nice addition)
I start by getting the garlic diced and onions ready. I cut the onions in half, peel them, then cut into wedges. They go in just like that. Some of them will separate in the wok and others will come out as tasty little onion wedges. Then I cut some broccoli crowns and cauliflower into decent bite-sized pieces and finally slice up about 1/2 dozen goodsized mushrooms. Peel and devein your prawns.
Timing, steaming and cooking order is the trick to this dish. When I lived in Calgary a long time ago my landlord was a wonderful Chinese chef who owned an awesome restaurant. I did some deliveries for him and was always amazed at how skillfully
1. Turn on your wok and add a good amount of sesame oil. You want to cover the bottom and sides, then add in your beef and garlic. Once they start to cook, add in the peeled prawns (the prawns are the only thing that you have to be careful to fully cook so add them early.) As the prawns start to pink up, add the cauliflower and broccoli, use about a 1/4 cup of wine and a 1/4 cup of water to steam everything with the cover on. Steaming will take about 5 minutes. You don’t want the veggies soft but resist the urge to lift the lid every couple of minutes to check them.
2. Once everything’s looking great, stir in your mushrooms, water chestnuts and snow peas if you’re using them and a package of noodles. Give it all a really good stir. Add a good amount of black bean sauce and about the same for oyster sauce. Another good stir to mix everything together and presto: amazing, fresh, healthy, quick and mouth-watering Shanghai Noodles.
Tip: the best way to clean your wok after this is to fill it full of hot soapy water, put the lid on and let it sit for a little while. It will just wipe clean. n
Timing, steaming and cooking order is the trick
The Unknown Chef has fed you at many local restaurants for years, and has decided to share some recipes he has developed, and others he stole from other chefs.
Assemble your ingredients
caption
PHOTOS: Courtesy of the Unknown Chef
Ready to eat!
ACTIVE LISTINGS
Tue Oct 8 Salsa Yukon’s Fall 2024
Beginner and Intermediate Salsa and Bachata classes 7:00 PM Heart of Riverdale Salsa and Bachata Socials for you to practice, open to singles and couples. Bring your indoor shoes, a fun, positive & polite attitude and come have some fun. To register email salsayukon@ gmail.com https://whatsupyukon. events/66802a
Wed Oct 16 Northern Lights Judo Club
- Try us out night 5:00 PM Elijah Smith Elementary School Learn the art of judo at the Northern Lights Judo Club! Join us for a trial class and see why judo is a great way to stay active, build confidence, and develop discipline. All ages and skill levels are welcome! http://www.judoyukon.ca/ Thu Oct 17 - 19 Early Bird Squash Tournament 5:00 AM Better Bodies All levels of play are welcome! Guaranteed 3 matches, Friday pizza supper, Saturday breakfast and door prizes. Sign up online or in-person
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 multijoint 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
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
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - drilling Eight Days
Martial Arts 12:05 AM
Yoga-Yoga Nidra 5:45 PM 7th Ray Studio Awaken and then release as we delve into a one hour yoga class that will prepare us to melt into the 30 minute Yoga Nidra experience. Register online.
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.
Lunchtime Fitness Classes 12:15 PM Northern Strength Academy Tuesdays classes are more resistance and strength focused and Thursday classes more HIIT cardio. Drop in & passes are available.
Elderactive Leisure Walking 12:30
PM ElderActive Recreation Association Leisure Walking is similar to Nordic walking but is suitable for those who prefer a slower, more relaxed pace
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 4:45 PM Strength & Conditioning 5:30 PM Northern Strength Academy Exercise to suit your fitness level and Strength & Conditioning Goals. Learn to Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, Row and Olympic Lift https://northernstrength.ca/ Evening Yoga 6:00 PM Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs eclipsenordichotsprings.ca
Midnight Sun Fencing Club: Learn to Fence 6:00 PM Grey Mountain Primary School This class introduces the fundamentals of fencing to kids who have never tried fencing. All classes are at Grey Mountain Primary.
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 PM Whitehorse Archery Takhini Elementary 6:30 PM Whitehorse Archery is a nonprofit club for the recreational shooter, hunters, and those who just want to work on their skills. https://www. whitehorsearchery.com/schedule
Spirit Bear Kobudo (Weapons) Karate 7:00 PM The Heart of Riverdale Community Centre http:// spiritbearkaratekobudo.ca
Midnight Sun Fencing Club: Intermediate 7:30 PM Grey Mountain Primary School This class picks up from where Learn to Fence ends. In this class students are taught fencing technique, strategy, and fitness.
No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 7:30 PM Stretch and Stabilize – Functional Conditioning 7:45 PM Grace Space Purposeful movement with our Functional Conditioning non-yoga movement class.
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
Ladies Kickboxing 12:05 PM Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.
NSA Spin Classes 4:15 PM 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/
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Eight Days Martial Arts 6:00 PM Spirit Bear Karate 6:25 PM The Heart of Riverdale Community Centre http:// spiritbearkaratekobudo.ca Muay Thai Kickboxing 7:45
From skin care to fragrance, get the whole package with our beauty sets.
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
Wednesdays Muay Thai Kickboxing 6:00 AM Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout. Morning Strength and Conditioning 7:30 AM Northern Strength Academy https://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 1/2 9:30 AM Northern Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement! Register online.
Zumba with Bonita 10:00 AM 7th Ray Studio Zumba routines incorporate interval training — alternating fast and slow rhythms — to help improve cardiovascular fitness. Register online.
class. Stretch & StabilizeFunctional Conditioning http://amitieyoga. ca
Thursdays
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
Tai Chi for Seniors 10:00 AM Golden Age Society Come early, bring water, and wear comfortable, smooth soled indoor shoes. Lunchtime Fitness Classes 12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy Tuesdays classes are more resistance and strength focused and Thursday classes more HIIT cardio. Drop in & passes are available. https://bit.ly/3oiTBVz
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 Jiu Jitsu - drilling Eight Days Martial Arts 12:05 PM
Babynastics with Coach Ewan 1:00 PM Polarettes Gymnastics Club A semistructured 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
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
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
Tue Oct 15 Friends and Family Support
Group 5:30 PM A free support group for those with loved ones living with mental health concerns. Call 668-6429 or email admin@yukon.cmha.ca to register and for more information.
Fri Oct 18 Cleansing the Energy
Meridians -Transpersonal Breath + Sound Works 7:20 PM Alpine Bakery & Upstairs Start with transpersonal breathing to open and prime the body for the vibrations of sound, followed by live sound currents and vibrations of gong, singing bowls, didgeridoo, jaw harp, flute, and drum. Register online. https://www. yogayukon.ca/
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, engaging 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 778-907-2701 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 778-9072701 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 867-3341725 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 867-334-1725 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 PM
305 Wood St. Captain Martin House
Al-Anon 12:00 PM Sport Yukon Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings 7:00 PM
Inclusion Yukon
Overeaters Anonymous Meeting 7:30
AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM
305 Wood St. Captain Martin House
Connect to Culture - Drop-In 1:00
PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre FREE! Drop-In, Open to ALL! Weekly cultural activities from beading to sewing, healing camp trips, elder visits and more. For more info call 667-2093 or email info@vfwomenscentre.com https:// vfwomenscentre.com/events
Polar Group (O, A) 7:30 PM 311 Elliott St. & 4th Ave. Held in person or on zoom, Zoom ID 251-363-5766, call 778-907-2701 for more info.
Fridays
AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM
305 Wood St. Captain Martin House
AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:30 PM Online Zoom ID 482-518-9588 PC 334796 call 778-907-2971 for more info.
Community Kitchen 4:00 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.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings 7:00
PM Yukon Employees Union
Al-Anon 7:00 PM Trinity Lutheran Church
Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
AA Whitehorse Group (C, A) 8:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral
Saturdays
Moms & Kids - Summer Rec Program 11:30 AM Victoria Faulkner Womens Centre Moms, aunties, and caregivers of all kinds, along with their kids ages 5 to 8.
AA Detox Meeting (O, A) 1:00 PM 609
Steele St.1:00 PM
AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:00 PM Online Zoom ID 482-518-9588 PC 334796 call 778-907-2971 for more info.
AA Hospital Meeting 7:00 PM #5 Hospital
PM Overeaters Anonymous For more information contact oayukon@gmail.com for more information
AA No Puffin Big Book Study (C, A) 8:00
PM Christ Church Cathedral (Hellaby Hall)
Porter Creek Step Meeting (C) 8:00 PM
Our Lady of Victory
Thursdays
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
ART SHOWS
Sat Oct 19 Art Anonymous 7:00 PM
Old Fire Hall 50 plus pieces of original art displayed, beautiful food, music, bubbly and beverages. Tickets online. https:// yukonartistrelief.weebly.com/
Until Oct 27 Growing Up With the Yukon - The Van Bibber family Arts Underground Showcases selections from almost two thousand photographs taken by the Van Bibber family between 1919 and 1965. https://www.artsunderground.ca/current-
exhibitions
Until Nov 15 Kwändü nùchù n-zhà –
Early September Stories Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Celebrates the artists of the Northern Cultural Expressions Society, emphasising the healing, transformation, and sense of family nurtured through art.
Until Nov 15 Abundance Yukon Arts Centre Gallery An exhibition of the latest acquisitions to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection. Featuring 15 Yukon artists, Abundance includes multi-media works.
Until Dec 6 Future Generations - Shakaat Artist Residency Showcase Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre On display in the Hude Nju Ku gallery - Future Generations is an exhibit where the artists can leave behind something that they want to be remembered for by the future generations that will come after us. It’s emotional, powerful, inspirational, and personal.
LIVE MUSIC
Fri Oct 11 Weekend Social with DJ Select 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well A mix of old school hip hop/r&b new school, Latin, dancehall and afrobeat. Cover charge at the door. https:// whatsupyukon.events/t3m Fri Oct 11 YWIM - Senior’s Singalong 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 An old fashioned sing-a-long, bring your instruments and singing voice, whether you’re young or old, everyone welcome.
Tue Oct 15 Erica Dee Mah & Christopher Tse 7:00 PM Old Fire Hall An intimate evening of music and poetry to celebrate the release of Erica’s latest EP, “Paper Wealth”, and Christopher’s poetry book “A Song for the Paper Children”. Tickets online. https://yukonartscentre.com/
Fri Oct 18 Caleb Tomlinson & Guests
EP Release 8:30 PM Yukon Theatre
Singer-songwriter performs beautifully crafted, lyrical driven, alt-country and folk music. Joined by special guests. Licensed all ages event. Tickets online. https:// yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule/calebtomlinson-and-guests-ep-release
Sat Oct 19 Community Barn Dance
7:30 PM Church of the Northern Apostles The band for the evening will be Rick Avery and Megan MacLean. The caller will be Judy Greenhill. For more info
Are you a Yukon Artist interested in sharing your talents with students?
Artist in the School provides high quality, engaging and culturally diverse programming to students across the territory. Over the course of the school year artists from a variety of disciplines deliver arts instruction and experiences to elementary and secondary school students across the Yukon.
Are you a professional artist with proven teaching experience? We would love to hear from you! Artists from all artistic disciplines are invited to apply.
To take a closer look and/or apply go to artistintheschool.ca
Questions? Contact Marlene Collins, Artist in the School Coordinator: info@artistintheschool.ca or 867.332.1904
judy.m.greenhill53@gmail.com or call 519 763 2494. https://whatsupyukon.events/si4
Sat Oct 19 Nico Paulo in Concert 9:00 PM Yukon Theatre An evening with Nico Paulo, folk-pop artist from St. John’s with opening act: Rob Dickson and friends. Tickets online. https://yukonfilmsociety.com/ schedule/nico-paulo-in-concert
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 Oct 10 Transformers One Nightly + Matinees Yukon Theatre The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. Tickets online or in-person at the box office.
https://yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule/ transformers-one
Until Oct 24 Joker: Folie A Deux Nightly + Matinees Yukon Theatre Arthur Fleck institutionalised at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him. Tickets online or in person at the box office. https:// yukonfilmsociety.com/schedule/joker-foliea-deux
Mon Oct 7 Beginner Electronics - Solder a LED Badge 6:00 PM Yukonstruct Makespace Participants will learn about basic electrical components and learn to solder on circuit boards and make a light up LED pin on a badge! Register online. https://yukonstruct.com/event/beginnerelectronics-solder-an-led-badge/
Mon Oct 7 Workshop - Copper Pendants & Earrings 6:30 PM Arts Underground 2-day workshop, make a simple and beautiful copper pendant or pair of earrings with artist Glenn Piwowar. Register online. https://arts-underground.myshopify.com/ collections/workshops
Mon Oct 7 Santa School with Michael Dougherty 6:30 PM Whitehorse Public Library Learn the history and lore of Santa, presentation skills and character development, how to engage children individually as well as maintain interest when visiting groups of children, plus much more! Register by email at YPLevents@ yukon.ca
Mon Oct 7 Laser Cutting & Jewellery Making Basics - Make a Layered Pendant 6:00 PM Yukonstruct Makespace In this 2 hr workshop learn basics of how to use the laser cutter including safety, ventilation, raster and vector design, print settings, and cutting and etching different materials. Register online. https:// yukonstruct.com/event/make-a-layeredpendant-laser-cutting Tue Oct 8-10 Community Crisis Response - In Person Training 8:30 AM Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre A 3 day cont’d on page 23 ...
training course is based on the Community Crisis Planning, Prevention, Response, and Recovery Service Delivery Model. Email aurora.hardy@kdfn.net or call 332-6860 to register.
Tue Oct 8-9 Legacy of Hope Foundation - Workshops 11:00 AM Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Free workshops, hosted by our special guests from the Legacy of Hope Foundation! Dive into the colourful world of beading, boost your financial savvy, embrace your well-being, and cozy up to some captivating campfire tales. Email tdevlin@lagacyofhope.ca for more info.
Tue Oct 8 Beginner Welding - Rocket Stove 5:30 PM Yukonstruct Makespace Learn the basics of MIG welding and make your own Rocket Stove - a small woodburning stove that feeds small sticks for fuel. Register online. https://yukonstruct. com/calendar/
Tue Oct 8 Wood Lathe 101 - Turn
a Candlestick 6:00 PM Yukonstruct
Makespace Learn basic wood turning and walk home with your unique candlestick! An introduction to the wood lathe including setup, chisels, setting up blanks and how to do spindle work between centers. Register online. https://yukonstruct.com/event/woodlathe-101-turn-a-candlestick-4/
Tue Oct 8 - 10 Magnetic North 2024: The First Spark 5:00 AM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Magnetic North represents the force drawing Yukon’s business community together. A catalyst, sparking innovation, collaboration, and growth.
Wed Oct 9 CRA & Service Canada Outreach 12:00 PM Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Get help with your tax and service queries from Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada agents!
Wed Oct 9 Whistle Bend Resident Update on Commercial Developments 5:30 PM Whistle Bend Elementary School If you’re interested in finding out about developments in whistle bend, or have ideas for developments in the Whistle Bend subdivision. Free to attend.
Wed Oct 9 A Creative Municipal Renewable Energy Grid 7:30 PM Yukon
Beringia Interpretive Centre City of Summerside PEI experience using energy storage from a municipally-owned wind farm and solar park to maximise the benefits for citizens. yukonscienceinstitute.org
Wed Oct 9 Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Career Fair Robert Service School Businesses and employers from all over the Yukon ready to provide information on various work opportunities and education pathways. Oct 9 = high school youth, Oct 10 = open to public, for more info email education@ trondek.ca https://www.trondek.ca/
Wed Oct 9 – Sat Oct 12 Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George 8:00 PM The Guild Hall A hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Tickets online. https:// yukonartscentre.com/whats-on/hurricanediane-by-madeleine-george/
Fri Oct 11 Project Management
Essentials Part 2 9:00 AM Online Learn the best practices for managing them. Instruction and industry examples of these methodologies are provided in an interactive format. Register online. https://www.yukonu. ca/programs/courses/proj-003
Sat Oct 12 Intro to Bead Weaving & Wolf
Willow Processing 10:00 AM Northern Cultural Expressions An immersive, hands-on workshop where you will learn the fundamentals of three essential techniques, the ladder stitch and brick stitch and fringe. Register online. https://www. northernculture.org/
Sat Oct 12 DPSAY - Microchip Clinic
10:00 AM Shipyards Park Must be a DPSAY member to participate in this clinic. Membership form is available on the dpsay. org website. Please register by Oct. 4th. For more info email dogpoweredsports@ gmail.com. https://forms.gle/ M6DbsLVeN8oDKBUR6
Sat Oct 12 Intermediate CeramicsDynamic Texturing on the Wheel 9:00
AM Arts Underground A full-day workshop, learn and explore different methods of adding character to their pots by creating a range of surface textures and then expanding the form from the interior to add an organic and dynamic character. Register online. https://arts-underground.myshopify. com/
Sat Oct 12 solstice haiku discussion
group 2:00 PM Whitehorse Public Library https://kjmunro1560.wordpress.com/
Sun Oct 13 Rediscovering the Moment
- Upgrade your improv scenes 11:00 AM The Guild Hall Take your improv to the next level with Paul Blinov? Learn tools to surprise and delight your scene partners (and yourself!) onstage, all while zeroing in on what matters most! Register online. https://nakaitheatre.com/registration/paulblinov
Wed Oct 16 Bookkeeping
Fundamentals Level 2 6:00 PM Yukon
University Whitehorse Campus Learn advanced skills necessary for accurate and efficient bookkeeping, focusing on both theoretical understanding and practical application. Register online. https://www.yukonu.ca/programs/courses/ book-ce02
Wed Oct 16 Words Out Loud - October 6:45 PM Arts Underground The October edition of Words Out Loud—our open mic event series for writers and readers alike. Featuring Kirsten Madsen & Jamella Hagen - Come early to get an open mic slot! https://whatsupyukon.events/yw1
Wed Oct 16 – Sat Oct 19 Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George 8:00 PM The Guild Hall A hilarious evisceration of the blind eye we all turn to climate change and the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards. Tickets online. https://yukonartscentre. com/whats-on/hurricane-diane-bymadeleine-george/
Thu Oct 17 2024 Municipal Election Day 8:00 AM Whitehorse Various Locations Polls will be open from 8am to 8pm at locations around Whitehorse. Preliminary results will be available and posted on the site on Election Day after the polls close and the votes are counted. https://www. whitehorse.ca/
Thu Oct 17 - 19 The Garden Nightly YAC Yukon Arts Centre Experience an awe-inspiring display of live and original music, theatre, dance, and circus, all brought together for an unforgettable experience https://yukonartscentre.com/ whats-on/the-garden-an-original-musicdance-and-circus-performance/
Sat Oct 19 Astronomy for Beginners 10:00 AM Yukon University Whitehorse Campus Explore star maps and learn how to read them, and locate celestial objects with the naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes. Observe sunspots and view them through specialised solar filters*. Register online. https://www. yukonu.ca/programs/courses/astr-ce01
Sat Oct 19 Pet Portrait Mini’s 11:00 AM Humane Society Yukon Pet portraits are welcome to all breeds including pit bulls, huskies, labs, chihuahuas and everything else in between! Register online. https:// briarrosephotographyanddesign.pixieset. com/…
Sat Oct 19 Scene Study - Chekhov’s
The Cherry Orchard 1:00 PM The Guild Hall Over 3 Saturdays, have an opportunity to dig into a scene through text analysis, individual work, collaboration, images and physicality. Facilitated by Jacob Zimmer. Register online. https://nakaitheatre.com/ registration/scene-study
Sat Oct 19 Shaping Clay Slabs into Functional Pottery 6:30 PM Arts
Underground Learn a range of techniques for making functional pottery from rolled out slabs of clay. Suitable for both beginners and those with experience in ceramics. Register online. https://artsunderground.myshopify.com/
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
2nd & 4th Wednesdays Whitehorse
Photography Club - Meetup 7:00 PM Yukon University - Whitehorse 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 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 family - hot 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
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 332-1803 for more info.
Spanish Conversation 12:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Call 333-6081 for more info.
Anglican Holy Communion –Whitehorse 12:10 PM Christ the Church Cathedral The Book of Common Prayer, 2nd Wednesday of the month
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!
Mtg: Modern, Warhammer Age of Sigmar 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles
Thursdays
Public Speaking Training - Toastmasters 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.
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 6685538.
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
Until Oct 17 The Wild Robot Nightly + Matinees Yukon Theatre An epic adventure follows the journey of a robot— ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Tickets online or in-person at the box office. https://yukonfilmsociety.com/ schedule/the-wild-robot Sat Oct 12 Autism Yukon Family Bowling Night 3:30 PM Northern Lights Bowling A free event open to Autism Yukon members of all ages - selfadvocates, youth, families, kids, support workers, grandparents - everyone is welcome. Register in person at the office. Mon Oct 21 YFNW - Warrior Program 5:00 AM Yukon First Nations Wildfire For ALL youth aged 16-30 - Yukon First Nations Wildfire Warrior Program. Free entry - for more info call 6677258 or email wilfred@yfnw.ca https:// whatsupyukon.events/da9
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
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
Wednesdays
Yukon Family Literacy Centre - Summer Drop-In 9:00 AM & 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
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.
MEETINGS
Wed Oct 16 Riverdale Community Association AGM 7:00 PM The Heart of Riverdale Community Centre This is your chance to get updated on RCA activities and make a difference by joining the board!
Fri Oct 18 2024 Yukon Heritage Symposium 10:00 AM MacBride Museum Meet new colleagues and catch up with old ones, be inspired by new ideas and trends, and share knowledge and best practices in heritage. https:// www.heritageyukon.ca/
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/comingevents/
Third Thursday ASAY board monthly meeting Sport Yukon 10:00 PM Third Thursday Yukon Anti-Poverty 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/yapcs-monthlymeetings
ONLINE EVENTS
Tues Oct 22 For the Sake of the Children Workshop 5:30 PM Online Learn about family law and the effects of separation or divorce on adults and children. Registration and more information: flic@yukon.ca https://yukon. ca/en/family-law-information-centre 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.
KEEPING THE STORIES ALIVE: THE LONG HISTORY OF THE OLD LOG CHURCH MUSEUM
It was built in just a few short months in 1900, and next year the Old Log Church Museum—one of Whitehorse’s oldest buildings in continuous use—will turn 125
“Ithink it’s a beautiful building inside and out,” says Linda Thistle, who has been volunteering with the group that operates the museum for nearly 30 years. “It’s still exciting to me.”
Over the decades, she has seen many renovations and refurbishments of the log building. Most recently, the historical windows were refreshed. The frames were repaired and the cloudy older plexiglass protecting the panes was replaced with clear panels.
“It made a glorious uplifting of the building,” says Thistle. “Everybody noticed it.”
In years prior, the roof on the church and the rectory were reshingled with fire-retardant shake shingles; a modern fire-suppression system was installed; and the logs were re-chinked with oakum— a tarred and loosely twisted hemp or jute fibre that was traditionally used in shipbuilding.
Unfortunately, birds find the
substance tasty and pull it out each summer, so the museum hires someone to poke it back in.
Much of this work has been done with the support of the Historic Properties Assistance (HPA) program, administered through the Government of Yukon’s Historic Sites Unit. The HPA program provides funding to preserve, restore, develop or interpret privately-owned historically-significant properties in the Yukon.
“I always say if we could just have a dollar for everyone who takes a picture of the outside of the church, we’d be all right,” says Thistle. “But we’re very lucky to have the funds and expertise from the Historic Sites Unit to assist with large projects in keeping the building preserved for future
generations.”
Because of the building’s historic designation, all repairs need to follow the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. That means using materials that would have been available in the era that the church was constructed to preserve the historic character of the building.
The church was built using simple half-lap construction. Additions show the growth and development of the building through improved craftsmanship and the introduction of traditional church design features, such as the sanctuary, vestry and baptistery.
“I think it’s very unique. It’s worth continuing to save as a historical site and worth keeping as a museum,” says Thistle. “There are lots of stories to tell here and it’s about keeping those stories alive.”
For Thistle, the history of the building, as well as the exhibits, are part of the stories told at the museum.
The building’s history begins
Linda Thistle, president, and Len Beecroft, treasurer and maintenance, stand in front of the side entrance of the Old Log Church Museum
in 1900 when the Rt Rev. William Bompas, bishop of the Anglican diocese of Selkirk, decided the small town of Whitehorse needed a place of worship. He called on Rev. R. J. Bowen, who had already built churches in Dawson and Forty Mile, to do the job.
Bowen and his wife, Susan, arrived by steamboat in August 1900. They held their first services in the community in a wall tent while they were building what would become the Old Log Church Museum.
With help from the community, the church took just two months to build. They called it Christ Church and the first service was held on October 7, 1900. The Bowens lived in part of the church building until the rectory was completed in the spring of 1901.
It was a community gathering place for many years. During the Second World War, it provided a place of worship for the Army personnel who were stationed in Whitehorse while building the Alaska Highway.
It was so popular that Army personnel made up half the congregation. One officer, using his bedsheet as a canvas, painted the large picture that now hangs above the front door.
In 1953, the church became the diocesan cathedral. It quickly became too small for the growing congregation and a new purposebuilt cathedral was constructed in 1960.
The Old Log Church became a museum in 1962 and was still used as a church into the 1980s when it was known as St. Simons and was attended by a First Nations congregation.
In 1982, the Yukon Church Heritage Society was formed to restore and preserve the building and operate the Old Log Church Museum. Since then, the society has been caring for the buildings.
Originally, the church was built directly on the ground. Over the years, the freeze-thaw Yukon weather cycle took its toll and the building had to be moved onto a foundation. In 1989, the log building was raised and moved to the adjacent street while a new basement was prepared.
Then Andy Hooper, well known for moving buildings at the time, moved the church back to its original site and placed it directly on the new basement foundation. (Hooper’s legendary truck is on display at the Yukon Transportation Museum.)
In 2014, both the Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse designated the Old Log Church and Rectory official Historic Sites. Currently, the museum is open to the public five days a week and continues to hold special church services during the summer.
To find out more about the HPA program, visit yukon.ca/historicproperties-assistance-program n
PHOTO: Leighann Chalykoff
column with Leighann Chalykoff
Conversations columnist Leighann Chalykoff is a Yukon writer chronicling
Yukon
Rev W.G. Blackwell in front of Christ Church, ca. 1910 – 1916 Old Log Church Museum, July 2024
PHOTO: Yukon Archives, Rev. W.G. Blackwell fonds, 91/38 #1 (PHO 417)
PHOTO: Leighann Chalykoff
THE GIFT OF A SMILE
“Smile and the world smiles with you”
In 1963, a commercial artist from Worcester, Mass. named Harvey Ball created the iconic and now world-famous smiley face. An insurance company had hired him to come up with an image to increase employee morale. Apparently the drawing took 10 minutes to complete and he was paid $45 for his work.
The insurance company originally planned to print the yellow smiley face on 100 button pins to hand out to its employees but the buttons became so popular that by 1971 more than 50 million smiley face buttons had been sold.
By the time Ball contacted patent attorneys he was told that the design was now in the public domain and that registering the copyright was no longer possible. Any other person could have easily become bitter and filled with regret, having missed the chance to become rich, but Ball apparently didn’t.
According to his son, Charles Ball, “He was not a money-driven guy. He used to say, ‘Hey, I can only eat one steak at a time, drive one car at a time.’” (worldsmileday.com/index.php/article-index/ item/380-about-harvey-ball)
In an attempt to take a stand against the over-commercialization of his symbol and reconnect with its original meaning and intent, Ball came up with the idea of World Smile Day. He declared the first Friday of October each year to be the day to “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.”
According to the World Smile Day website, “Ball thought that we, all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The smiley face knows no politics, no
geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we.”
Ball passed away in 2001 at which point the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honour his name and memory. The non-profit charitable trust supports children’s causes and has been the official sponsor of World Smile Day each year since its creation.
By the time this article is printed, this year’s World Smile Day will have come and gone, with most of us never having heard of it or its founder.
Many will be getting ready for their Thanksgiving weekend, perhaps travelling to be with family, or running around town gathering
the last few missing ingredients for their holiday dinner. A few may be reflecting on what they’re feeling thankful for this year.
In my opinion, encouraging smiles with small and large acts of kindness shouldn’t be limited to one day per year. I’m grateful for every opportunity to smile that I’ve gotten this year, especially in moments when a smile seemed so far away.
I hope I’ve been able to share that same gift with others too, even if it was just for a few seconds. A day where I’ve made someone smile feels like a day that I can feel good about.
Why not spend a bit of time this holiday season thinking about what has brought a smile to your face these past few months, how
you can add more of those things to your life, and how you might be able to help others find more reasons to smile as well?
Here are a few things that have made me smile recently:
Seeing the moon in the evening or a rainbow on my drive home. These moments feel like little gifts from nature that I only notice when I’m completely present in the moment.
When my young daughter smiles at me because she’s still at an age where every smile is authentic, spontaneous and pure.
When I get to hold the door open for someone (or when someone does the same for me)
Watching clips of Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick making music together with their farm animals
(check out their Instagram and Facebook if you’re looking for a little bit of feel good energy)
Going to the movies and reconnecting with the special feeling of sharing a moment with others. There’s nothing quite like laughing out loud with a crowd, especially these days when so much entertainment can be experienced alone in one’s own living room.
Jumping around in a pile of colourful leaves on a crisp autumn day, or at least dragging my feet through them and enjoying the satisfying sound
Seeing someone else smile
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh n
The Gift of a Smile
PHOTO: Tim Mossholder on pexels.com
Jessica Surber is a writer who loves being in the mountains and working with plants. She divides her time between Peru and the Yukon. column with
Jessica Surber
