Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026, doors open 6:30 pm, talk starts 7 pm
Location: Yukon Visitor Information Centre (100 Hanson Street, Whitehorse)

Join the Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA) and historian Helene Dobrowolsky for a fascinating, free talk (with photos!) on Captain Patrick Martin, namesake of the Captain Martin House in downtown Whitehorse’s Lepage Park.

This building, which YHMA manages, is a designated Municipal Historic Site. Come out, enjoy the talk, and help us preserve the home of this legendary Yukoner by bidding on a selection of silent auction items. Donations will also be accepted. All are welcome!

About the Talk

Patrick Martin was one of the pioneer merchants of Whitehorse. For nearly 30 years he outfitted wood camps, roadhouses, First Nations people, and Whitehorse citizens with clothing, gear, and groceries from his store, the Arctic Trading Company.

Long before becoming a Yukoner, however, Martin was a master mariner sailing the world’s major oceans. He left his Newfoundland outport home to go sealing on the spring pack ice, whaling near Greenland, and freighting cod to the West Indies, South America, and the Mediterranean. After rounding Cape Horn to deliver a schooner to Victoria, he hunted fur seals in the seas off Japan and Russia. Martin was on the spot when the first prospectors emerged from the Klondike and caught gold fever. Then he too was off to the Yukon. His last great maritime adventure was an epic 4000-mile trip steering the sternwheeler Canadian from Victoria, up the west coast, through the Aleutian Island then up the Yukon River to White Horse Landing.

Known as a colourful storyteller, Martin penned his memoirs in the early 1930s. Helene will be sharing stories and images from Captain Martin’s remarkable life. She will be joined by Tip Evans who will be reading excerpts from Martin’s writings. Learn about the man behind the Captain Martin house and the remains of the sternwheeler Canadian by the South Access road.

WHITEHORSE, YT – The 2026 Annual Yukon Heritage Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, February 24 and feature the presentation of five awards to a combined total of seven deserving recipients.

The Yukon Historical and Museums Association (YHMA), which organizes the awards, invites the public to attend the ceremony at the Yukon Archives and help honour the award recipients. The event will start at 7 pm, with doors opening at 6:45 pm. No registration is required.

“Each year, we have the pleasure of hosting the heritage awards to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of Yukon heritage,” says Lianne Maitland, Executive Director of YHMA. “These seven individuals have had an immeasurable impact on the sector, in preserving and sharing Yukon heritage for the benefit of Yukoners now and in the future. What stands out to me is that all our recipients this year have in some way helped the next generation connect with heritage, which is so important for keeping the Yukon’s stories alive and our community thriving. We can’t wait to celebrate them.”

The awards to be presented include the Annual Yukon Heritage Award, two History Maker awards, the Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award.

Leading up to the awards presentation, guest speaker Amber Heals will give a talk entitled “Planting Seeds of Change Through Interpretation.” Amber is a Yukon First Nations interpreter passionate about sharing the history and culture of the Yukon and its First Peoples. She views interpretation as storytelling with structure, a dynamic and engaging way to share ideas and connect to Kwäday times, the days of long ago, and to shift perspectives and create change. A reception will follow the ceremony.

YHMA thanks the Yukon Archives and Historic Sites Unit, Government of Yukon for their support of this event.

About the Recipients

Patrick “Koolseen” James will receive the Annual Heritage Award (posthumous) following a life dedicated to strengthening the cultural and environmental heritage of Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) and the Yukon. A respected Elder and leader, he shared knowledge with generosity and guided community decision‑making for decades. Patrick contributed significantly to land stewardship through his work with the Carcross/Tagish Land Management Board and the Yukon Land Use Planning Council. He advocated for the protection of the Southern Lakes Caribou Herd and helped pass this stewardship ethic on to youth. His leadership also shaped the Carcross/Tagish Final Agreement, and he served as Chief from 1995 to 2001. Beyond governance, he operated boat charters that allowed him to share teachings about the land, water, and animals with visitors. In 2022, Patrick joined the Conrad Historic Site Working Group as the C/TFN Elder representative, where his cultural insight and thoughtful guidance strengthened the implementation of the site’s Management and Interpretation Plans, ensuring they reflect Indigenous values and long‑standing relationships to the area.

A History Maker Award will be presented to Donna Darbyshire, whose unwavering dedication to preserving Yukon First Nations (YFN) heritage and culture shines through in her professional and volunteer work in cultural heritage. From her start in the 1980s as producer at Northern Native Broadcasting, to her role from the 1990s to 2016 as Native Reference Assistant at the Yukon Archives and Whitehorse Public Library, to her current position of Photo Archivist with the Council of Yukon First Nations, Donna has spent over four decades researching, preserving, and providing access to heritage, often dedicating far more hours than required by her job. Even outside of work, she is an eager and much-sought-after assistant and a source of inspiration to those working on family histories or researching other topics related to YFN history and culture. She also served as a volunteer on the board of the Yukon Council of Archives for several years, bringing sage advice for developing community archival services in First Nations.

Lesley Buchan will also be recognized with a History Maker Award. Recently retired, Lesley’s extensive career and volunteer work has had an immeasurable impact on both the archival sector and the individuals within it. Having started at the Yukon Archives when it was still housed in a small facility downtown, Lesley contributed to many innovations as the Archives developed over the years. Her work arranging and describing countless records, as well as her talent for making connections among researchers, resources, and experts, has supported many in learning about territorial history, while her deep knowledge of archival resources, her curiosity, and her helpful personality make her a powerful ambassador for the Yukon Archives and Yukon heritage more broadly. Lesley has also been an active volunteer, contributing many hours to archives-related organizations both local and national. Her leadership shows in her dedication to offering advice and training opportunities to younger colleagues, participation in strategic discussions to promote archival development, and advocacy for the preservation of our collective cultural memory.

Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award recipient Cathy Hines brings her experience as former Executive Director of the Dawson City Museum and as a teacher to her volunteer work with YHMA. She is a long-serving board member, having held multiple offices including President, Secretary, and, currently, Treasurer, as well as serving on various committees. With her background in teaching, Cathy has become a fixture of the Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair, acting not only as Head Judge but also as an essential member of the organizing committee. This program is aimed at students in grades 4-9. Numerous other events and fundraisers have also come to fruition thanks to Cathy’s constant willingness to lend a hand, and she never hesitates to help where needed in the YHMA office. In addition, Cathy currently sits on the Yukon Church Heritage Society Board of Directors and has developed educational resources and programs for several Yukon museums.

Bessie Jim, Christle Moulton, and Mierl Richard will jointly receive the Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award for their outstanding interpretation of Tséi Zhéłe / Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad Historic Site (Conrad). As cultural ambassadors, they bring authenticity, humility, and leadership to every program and event. Their work offers visitors of all ages and backgrounds an immersive, culturally grounded experience shaped by language, oral tradition, and a deep respect for Haa Ḵusteeyí / Our Ways of Being and Knowing. Through storytelling, traditional knowledge, and activities such as bannock-making and fur preparation, the three illuminate the Tagish Kwan people’s enduring connection to the land while addressing the layered history of First Nation stewardship, mining, and recreation at Conrad. Teachings shared in both English and Tlingit highlight core values of respect, balance, and interconnectedness. Together, the Conrad Interpreters exemplify excellence in cultural education and heritage stewardship, fostering meaningful cross-cultural engagement alongside the revitalization of language and cultural practices.

Award descriptions can be found at here.

The Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA) is participating in a new, collaborative, and industry-led initiative to explore the possible development of a territory-wide Destination Improvement Fee (DIF).

This work is being led by the Tourism Partners — Klondike Visitors Association (KVA), Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA Yukon), Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon (WTAY), Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT), Yukon Outfitters Association (YOA), and YHMA — with funding support from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the Government of Yukon.

The initiative is focused on understanding whether and how a made-in-Yukon DIF could support both the community and industry in the long term. A news release announcing the launch of Phase 1 of this work has been shared with Yukon and national media. No decisions have been made — this phase is about listening, learning, and understanding options together as an industry.

Why This Work Is Happening

Tourism is a vital part of Yukon’s economy and community life. This initiative is exploring whether a territory-wide Destination Improvement Fee could support:

• Tourism sustainability
• Enhanced visitor experiences
• Shared industry priorities
• Long-term investment in tourism infrastructure and services

The work is grounded in the principle that the tourism industry is best positioned to lead this exploration.

Industry-Led & Inclusive

While the initiative is led by the Tourism Partners, the project emphasizes engagement across:

• All tourism sectors
• All regions of the Yukon
• Yukon First Nations and Indigenous partners
• Communities and stakeholders

The process is focused on listening, learning, and working collaboratively to ensure any future approach reflects Yukon’s unique economic, cultural, and geographic realities.

What Happens Next

Consulting proponents are under review to be engaged to support facilitated industry engagement and analysis.

Over the coming months, the project will:

• Gather input from tourism operators and partners
• Explore governance and funding models
• Identify potential priorities and opportunities
• Share findings with industry partners and funders

Results will help inform next steps and future decision-making.

Primary Project Contact

Allison Camenzuli
Executive Director, Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon
executive@wtay.com | P: 867-668-3369 | C: 867-446-9960

Nomination Deadline: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Do you know an individual, organization, community group, First Nation, or business that has made significant contributions to conserve, celebrate, and share Yukon’s heritage?

The Yukon Historical & Museums Association is seeking nominations for the 2025 Yukon Heritage Awards. The deadline for submissions is midnight on January 18, 2026. Nominations are accepted in the following categories:

• Annual Heritage Award
• History Maker Award
• Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award
• Heritage Conservation Project of the Year Award
• Innovation, Education and Community Engagement Award

You can find a list of previous recipients on our website here. Learn more about the award categories and nomination process here.

Symposium Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Symposium Location: Yukon Transportation Museum
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Join us at the 2025 Yukon Heritage Symposium and present your bold ideas, inspiring stories, and thoughtful insights!

We are thrilled to invite proposals for “Pecha-Kucha”-style morning sessions on October 8. This is your chance to take the spotlight and share:

• Thought-provoking questions, theories, and insights into heritage practice
• Exciting projects—past, present, or future—including discoveries, successes, and lessons learned
• Big ideas and bold pitches for new initiatives or collaborations
• News, events, and updates that matter to the Yukon heritage community
• Or anything else that sparks curiosity and conversation in our sector

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a passionate newcomer, or somewhere in between—if it matters to Yukon heritage, we welcome your ideas!

To submit a proposal, complete the form here.

What is a “Pecha Kucha”-style presentation?
Speakers build PowerPoint or equivalent presentations with 20 slides, set to automatically advance every 20 seconds, for a total presentation length of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. This format encourages presentations to be distilled to their essential points, keeping audiences and speakers engaged and on topic. 

Have an idea for something longer, or don’t have the ability to make a PowerPoint or equivalent presentation? Get in touch and we would be happy to discuss potential options. Call 867-667-4074 or email info@heritageyukon.ca.

Symposium Program Overview

• Welcome
• 1st morning session
• Break – refreshments provided
• 2nd morning session
• Lunch – provided
• Workshop (with afternoon break – refreshments provided): Canada’s Museums: Putting the ‘A’ (Accessibility) in IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Leading to belonging), presented by Ingenium and Realize

Registration will be free and participants may register for the morning, afternoon, or both.

The Yukon Historical & Museums Association unequivocally supports the joint statement submitted by the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Rights (ICHR) Task Force to the office of the Prime Minister and the Quality of Life and Well-Being Committee on June 19, which urges the Government of Canada to take leadership in implementing UNDRIP Action Plan Measure 98.

Measure 98 commits Canada to co-developing, with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, a coordinated national approach to repatriation/rematriation of Indigenous cultural belongings and ancestral remains, and as of the most recent annual report on Action Plan implementation is listed as ‘Not started/Pending’.

This measure is a critical step towards reconciliation, a stronger Canada, and the fulfilment of Canada’s obligations under UNDRIP. Recent cases such as the proposed auction of the Hudson Bay Company’s collection clearly demonstrate the urgent need for immediate, decisive action on this measure, and the lack thereof to date is deeply concerning.

Date & Time: Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 5:30 pm
Location: Old Log Church Museum (corner of 3rd Ave. and Elliott St., Whitehorse) and online (Zoom – registration required)

Join us on Tuesday, June 24 at the Old Log Church Museum or on Zoom for our 2025 AGM! All are welcome, although only members are eligible to vote, including designated representatives of Institutional and Corporate Affiliate members. Members who wish to stand for election to the Board must be in good standing and meet all criteria outlined in the Societies Act 47(1).

We will be giving an overview of YHMA’s activities over the past year and what’s in store for the coming year, presenting our 2024-25 financial statements, presenting our 2025-26 budget for approval of the membership, and electing our 2025-26 Board of Directors.

If you plan to attend in person, an RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Zoom participants must register in advance.

Memberships can be purchased online through our membership page. Membership forms will also be available at the meeting.

Members in good standing who cannot attend may cast a proxy vote by filling out and returning a proxy vote appointment form. You can download the form below or contact us to obtain a paper copy. All proxy vote appointment forms must be received at the YHMA office or by email to info@heritageyukon.ca by 4:30 pm on Friday, June 20, 2025 for delivery to the Chairperson presiding over the meeting, or delivered directly to the Chairperson presiding over the meeting prior to its commencement. If you need assistance in finding a proxy, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you to the Old Log Church Museum for providing the meeting space.

Let us know you’re coming in person
Register to attend on Zoom
Download proxy form

Date & Time: Thursday, May 1, 2025, 12:30-1:30 pm
Location: Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Longhouse (1171 Front Street, Whitehorse)

Join us in the Longhouse at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Thursday, May 1! Come check out the student projects, learn about Canadian heritage, celebrate learning, and cast your vote for the Park’s Canada People’s Choice Awards.

The Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair is part of the national Heritage Fairs program, a bilingual educational initiative that encourages students to explore an aspect of Canadian heritage in a dynamic and captivating learning environment.

Students use the media of their choice to share their learning about Canadian heroes and legends, milestones and achievements – and then proudly present the results of their research at a public exhibition. Projects are reviewed by volunteer judges and awarded prizes for excellence and participation.

No matter how they participate, the Fairs give students a voice to tell their own stories in their own ways. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and passion make the Fair a highlight of the school year!

The Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair is organized by the Yukon Historical & Museums Association in partnership with the Yukon Heritage Resources Board and Parks Canada, with funding support from the Government of Yukon, Department of Education and City of Whitehorse.

YHMA has one second floor office space available to rent in Captain Martin House, located in downtown Whitehorse at 305 Wood Street, next to Lepage Park. The Captain Martin House is a designated Municipal Historic Site and currently home to several non-profit organizations. Come be part of this community! 

The office is approximately 156 square feet. Rent includes access to shared bathrooms, kitchen, meeting room, weekly cleaning of common areas, wifi, electricity, heat, security system and monitoring, garbage removal, and recycling.

Four parking spots are available for the building on a first come, first served basis. There is ample paid street parking nearby.

A minimum one-year lease is preferred. For rental rates, additional information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Lianne at 867-667-4704 or info@heritageyukon.ca.

The Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA) has announced the four recipients of the annual Yukon Heritage Awards, who will be recognized at an upcoming awards ceremony on Monday, February 17, 2025.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony in person at the Yukon Archives or on the YHMA Facebook page, where the event will be livestreamed, to help celebrate the award recipients. The event will start at 7 pm, with doors opening at the Yukon Archives at 6:45 pm. No registration is required.

“As National Heritage Week will be kicking off, we are excited to have the public join us in recognizing these amazing award winners,” says YHMA Executive Director Lianne Maitland. “The heritage sector is lucky to have such dedicated individuals and organizations, and the Yukon is richer for them. The community focus of these recipients demonstrates how central heritage is to the cultural fabric and well-being of the territory.”

Two deserving individuals will be honoured with History Maker Awards; also being presented are the Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award and Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award. There will be no Annual Heritage Award or Heritage Conservation Project of the Year Award presented this year.

Prior to the awards presentation, guest speaker Graham Cubitt of the Ontario-based social enterprise Flourish will give a talk focusing on adaptive re-use of heritage and older buildings to meet community needs such as affordable and supportive housing. A reception will follow the ceremony.

About the Recipients

For over 30 years, History Maker Award recipient Benjamin Charlie has hosted radio programming in the Gwich’in language at CHON-FM Indigenous Radio for Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon. When NNBY produced both television and radio Ben also worked as a television reporter in his native language. At 84, he still goes to work five days per week. On weekdays, Ben hosts a live show, Vuntat Njiik Nakaii, and every Saturday he hosts Vun Drin So. Both programs are presented in Gwich’in. During his work as a reporter, Ben interviewed other Gwich’in citizens in the Gwich’in language for a special segment of the Nedaa news program, Haa Shagóon. These language episodes continue to be recognized as priceless education tools and vital resources in the preservation of Gwich’in language and culture. Ben is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from CHON-FM, an accomplished fiddler, and a former competitive cross-country skier.

Sally Robinson will also be receiving a History Maker Award, for her decades of professional, volunteer, and personal work in Yukon heritage. Having moved to the Yukon in the early 1970s, Sally spent 20 years working for museums in Dawson and around the territory. She then joined Yukon Historic Sites as an interpretive planner, a role she held until retirement. Since then, Sally has continued her involvement in the heritage sector as a consultant, contractor, and volunteer. As a director of YHMA, she has served several terms as President, represented YHMA on various boards and committees, and assisted with numerous projects and programs. Sally’s love of heritage also comes through in her personal endeavours. Most recently, she launched Yukon Who Is Who, an online wiki that grew out of decades worth of notes on significant Yukoners. With over 3,500 entries, this fantastic resource can be accessed at https://yukonwhoiswho.ca/.

Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year award recipient Sylvia Burkhard has been a stalwart and passionate advocate for the Dawson City Museum for fifteen years. She has shown exceptional dedication as a board officer and member of the Museum’s collections committee, while also volunteering for every Museum event and program. Sylvia’s expertise and experience are relied on for everything from providing historical details to building maintenance. Her fierce commitment to Klondike heritage is also evident through her involvement in the City of Dawson’s Heritage Advisory Committee and countless other local committees and organizations. She also operated Claim 33 Gold Panning and the Jerry Bryde Mining Museum for over a decade and continues to restore her historic home while collecting and caring for all things Dawson. Sylvia’s contributions have had a lasting impact on both the museum and the community. Her continued dedication is invaluable to the preservation and celebration of Klondike heritage.

Société d’histoire francophone du Yukon’s recently launched podcast series, Récits de vies de nos aînés franco-yukonnais (Stories of the lives of our Franco-Yukon seniors), is being recognized with the Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award. Featuring eleven Yukon Francophone seniors and seven volunteer interviewers, the podcast records first-person oral histories with a particular focus on the post-war period (1950) until the creation of the Association franco-yukonnaise (1982), a lesser-known period of the Yukon Francophonie. To facilitate the involvement of multiple interviewers, SHFY organized French-language training in the recording and transcription of oral histories, as well as podcast production. Overall, Récits de vies de nos aînés franco-yukonnais is an important avenue to educate the public about the history of Yukon Francophones in an accessible, modern, and dynamic way, and is also a valuable resource for researchers. The full, eleven-episode podcast can be found at https://shfy.podbean.com/.

Award descriptions can be found here.