YHMA sent Whitehorse municipal election candidates the following questions, and is happy to share the responses received.

This post will be updated should any additional candidates submit responses.

Please note that contact information for Gary Smith, Nesty Paron, and Jay Wilneff could not be found and these candidates therefore did not receive the questions.

Jump to a specific candidate’s response:

Kirk Cameron
Dino Rudniski
Jack Bogaard
Ken Schick
Tony Lundgaard
Sarah Newtwon
Anne Middler
Jenny Hamilton
Norma Felker
Paolo Gallina
Eileen Melnychuk
Lenore Morris

Questions:

The City of Whitehorse has multiple layers of stories that contribute to the spirt of place that has evolved over time. The fast growth of the city has increased demand for development, which in turn has resulted in the demolition of long-established buildings that have also contributed to the heritage character of the city. The loss of traits, features, and elements of the cultural landscape associated with its spirt of place results in direct and indirect socio-economic impacts.

Q1. The City’s heritage resource management tools are currently out-of-date or nonexistent. The most recent Heritage Management Plan dates to 1999 and includes as a critical component to implementation a Heritage Advisory Committee; this committee has been defunct for many years. The Heritage Bylaw dates to 2002 and reflects a narrow understanding of heritage. The Heritage Registry has not seen a comprehensive update since 2011. This means no additional buildings have been considered for inclusion on the registry in over a decade. In addition, the City has no dedicated heritage planner; this role is filled by a general city planner position. How would you support updating the City’s heritage resource management tools and practices?

Q2. In 2019, Whitehorse City Council declared a climate emergency, and a Climate Action Plan is scheduled for launch in late 2024/early 2025. A draft plan currently is available on the Engage Whitehorse website. Heritage conservation, in particular the retention and re-use of heritage and older buildings, aligns with multiple goals and actions outlined in the plan, including those relating to buildings and infrastructure and waste management, and has co-benefits in creating green jobs, fueling tourism, and contributing to community well-being. Existing buildings represent significant carbon investments that we cannot afford to lose, and by retaining buildings, materials are kept out of landfills. What would you do to incentivize and/or support heritage conservation as climate action and a vital part of our community’s spirit of place?

Q3. Recently, members of the public have expressed that they feel unsafe in our community and property crime has risen, resulting in significant costs and damage, including to the heritage buildings YHMA manages in Lepage Park. As a community, we need to seek positive, collaborative solutions that improve the lives of all residents. How would you collaborate with NGOs, all levels of government, and the general public to strengthen community safety and cohesiveness?

Mayoral Candidate Responses

Kirk Cameron:

Q1. This is an important area for City involvement in the community.  As an historian myself, and past member of the Yukon Historical & Museums Association,  this is of particular interest to me.  New Councils immediately embark on a priority-setting exercise, and I will certainly put this bylaw and associated Heritage Management Plan on the list of bylaws to consider for review.  I am only one vote among 7 on Council, so I cannot guarantee that it will be included.  I would strongly recommend that you come to Council early in the new term to reiterate the points you are making here.  Every second meeting is a Committee forum where every matter raised by the public regarding Whitehorse can be added to the agenda. 

 I agree that reestablishment of the Heritage Advisory Committee would be an important asset to any review. 

 Q2. The entire topic of climate action is fundamental to the future of this City at many levels, including heritage conservation.  This will, as a broad inclusive topic, be my first priority on the list for consideration by Council in its priority-setting exercise.  I will make sure this part of the climate impact discussion is included. 

On the matter of supporting heritage conservation as a vital part of our community spirit of space, I agree this is part of the quality that makes our City unique.  Again, it would be good to have you come to Council to provide details on how you see heritage built into City planning efforts.  

 Q3. I am on record to set a review of our Bylaw Services so that it can play a greater role in our City alongside the RCMP and Community Safety Officers.  There are consultation processes in place that include City, Yukon Government, RCMP and the community and I will be ensuring that at both the political and Administrative levels this involvement continues. 

Dino Rudniski:

Q1. I would reinstate the Heritage Advisory Committee, update the Heritage Management Plan and Bylaw, and appoint a dedicated heritage planner to ensure proper stewardship.

Q2. To incentivise and support heritage conservation, I would prioritise reuse of heritage buildings, build replicas when necessary, and offer tax incentives, grants, and community engagement initiatives to preserve our community’s cultural identity and spirit of place.

Q3. To strengthen community safety and cohesiveness, I would collaborate with NGOs, governments, and the public to establish community officers addressing substance use and mental health, and integrate social services, healthcare, and inclusive decision-making.

Jack Bogaard:

For the last 12 years I have been collaborating with NGO, and government and the general public on helping strengthening our community

Councillor Candidate Responses:

Ken Schick:

I entered the race for council in the eleventh hour and have not developed a detailed platform. My platform is “I have no preconceived agenda, I intend to bring an open mind to council and work with other council members on issues as they arise with the utmost of fiscal responsibility” As such I have not had the opportunity to review the budget in its entirety to see what is already included or what can be added or modified. I can commit to reviewing your concerns and putting them on my list of items to bring forward if elected.

Tony Lundgaard:

Q1. I would implement a new zone type in the city zoning code for historical buildings and let the Yukon Historical & Museums Association decide which buildings and dictate what happens to the buildings.

Q2. I would offer grants to bring buildings up to code for energy efficiency while still protecting the look and/ or feel of the building. I want to implement an architectural style of the downtown core so its less jarring when you see an older building next to a new building.

Q3. The first thing I would do is ban public drinking in Le Page Park. I would increase the amount of public events in historical parks and public spaces to discourage vandalism.

Sarah Newton:

Q1. I really believe in the power of non-profits so I would look towards groups like yours to put forth ideas, issues and recommendations that the City can work to implementing. I also think that the protection of heritage resources has many stewards including First Nations and the Territorial government so I would be interested in learning more about how our jurisdictional responsibilities complement each other. I need to review the Heritage Management Plan.

Q2. This is a great idea and I LOVE the way you are thinking! My research is focused on ground source heat and the simplest way to implement this technology is in the retrofit of older buildings. I have a contact with a company very interested in this very topic. I think that climate action is most effective when it aligns with other strategies and activities. If I get elected, I would be very excited to work on this!

Q3. I would like to work on creating restorative justice circles to bring in diverse voices in talking about how we can address this topic. I believe that creating community cohesion, reducing poverty and homelessness is our path towards a more prosperous and safe community.

Anne Middler:

Q1. I was privileged to work with YHMA during the summer of 2023 administering the Yukon 125 Fund. This experience made me more aware of the critical work being done by your organization, and also aware of the general inadequacy of support from the municipal and territorial governments for the heritage sector. This is odd, because Tourism may be the most reliable and consistent sector driving our economy. In addition to learning about and experiencing the Yukon’s rich culture and history of First Nations, visitors want to see the unique character of this place from the last century and a half – both First Nation and settlers, and the relationship of these cultures. Evidence and vestiges of our history are at risk of being bulldozed by rapid growth. Residents enjoy and want to protect the sense of place, unique to Whitehorse and our history, that adds to the livability and desirability of our city. This spirit of place helps to encourage citizens to feel pride and contribute to the preservation and health of our city.

When I first arrived in Whitehorse in 2001, the City was involved in decisions around what to do with the Shipyards. I recall some city councillors were promoting the idea to “clean it up” and raze the John Hatch House (the Pioneer Hotel) and the other heritage buildings around it. Thankfully, great efforts ensured that many of those buildings survived and now house important organizations and programs – artist residencies and literacy programs, community radio and utilities advocacy groups. These and other heritage buildings in Whitehorse, like those managed by YHMA surrounding Lepage Park, are a link to our past, and provide spaces for important organizations in our community. They retain and celebrate the character of our city and remind us of what life was like when the first pioneering settlers arrived, and how society has evolved. There needs to be someone at the City who is responsible for and invested in heritage planning who can be a link to the organizations like YHMA working to promote and preserve our history. This position can reactivate the Advisory Committee and initiate a review and update of the Heritage Bylaw, and investigate whether City Hall itself could be designated a heritage building. 

If elected, I would be a voice to remind the city government of the importance of heritage, as well as its place in the city’s plans. I would ensure that the goals and policies in Section 5 of the Official Community Plan Heritage Arts and Culture don’t get overlooked or lost. That section speaks to a number of goals and policies, many of which can be drawn upon and highlighted to address the issues you have identified in your three questions.

Here are just a few:

• The City will protect municipal historic sites, as guided by the Heritage Resources Act and the Heritage Bylaw.
• The built environment and public realm contribute to Whitehorse’s unique sense of place.
• Heritage is promoted and celebrated throughout Whitehorse
• The collective understanding of the community’s history is enhanced
• Public spaces provide an opportunity to showcase modern and history art and culture
• The City will encourage active use of heritage buildings

Q2. I am a fan of actions and investments that achieve several goals at once. I appreciate you pointing out the several co-benefits of enhancing and preserving heritage buildings in Whitehorse, not just to meet the heritage-related goals but also goals of climate action and waste reduction. Heritage buildings can be assessed and a lifecycle analyses can be used to identify the embedded energy in heritage buildings, and costs associated with preserving them to ensure they can be stabilized and brought up to an acceptable level of safety and energy efficiency – versus demolition and new builds in their place.

To assist in the preservation of heritage buildings, as a deterrent, I would encourage policies to require responsible demolition and higher tipping fees for the landfill, so those currently externalized costs could be included in the cost-benefit calculations when deciding whether to preserve a building. If we had requirements for re-use of materials and higher tipping fees, smashing and trashing buildings would not always be the lowest cost option. Of course, an updated heritage building registry would ensure that valuable historical buildings, of which there may be more to be identified since the last registry update, can have more certain protection. Whitehorse also has a tradition of moving buildings, so if a specific location of a heritage building is needed for another purpose such as housing, for example, an alternative location and purpose for a heritage building could be explored and found, before the backhoe and bulldozers destroy it.

Q3. This is a critical and complex issue in our community. There are many governments, agencies, and organizations that are working together to try to improve the situation, but we need to see better coordination to identify shared priorities, and identify roles and actions to address the crisis facing our city – downtown in particular. Each government has discrete responsibilities and jurisdictions. The City can lead a coordinated approach with these organizations to identify the issues contributing to the lack of safety and community cohesion. To be sure, enforcement of laws and bylaws can be strengthened, and the justice system needs to be on board to provide a deterrent to those who are committing crime. Of utmost importance is that we make sure our community has available and strong supports for people in crisis and alternatives to continuing a life of addiction. Stronger supports in our community will reduce desperation and crime.

The Heritage, Arts and Culture section of the OCP illustrates the important role that can be played by this sector to improve community cohesion. I support anything that enlivens public spaces with vibrant programming to attract more people to these places in active and healthy ways. Densifying downtown with an increased diversity of housing options will also help to provide a healthier balance downtown encouraging live, work and play neighbourhoods.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions. My observation in my two decades in the Yukon is that people often recognize the value of heritage once it’s already been lost. I would like to be part of a council that considers the character of place, recognizes the value and importance of heritage, and ensures this lens is included in decision-making. If elected, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with your staff and board to learn more specifically your ideas and solutions to address the deficiencies you outlined in question one.

Jenny Hamilton:

I appreciate your questions.

I am surprised and disappointed that heritage has not been kept updated for over a decade. That is unacceptable.

To answer your questions I will say this.

I will work with NGO’s and all parties involved to get what is needed. I am not up to date as to all your needs, but I am a quick learn, and a huge advocate of history. Heritage and Museums are vital links to our past and can shape our future.

We need to know and teach these lessons.

We need to protect our heritage buildings and museums physically as well. That definitely will be a consultation with people such as yourself and those who have the expertise.

Safety in the city is a priority for me. Working with RCMP, Yukon Government, First Nation Governments to come up with ways the City can help relieve pressures from law enforcement is key. One way may be reinstating some duties to Bylaw officers, such as traffic enforcement.

I believe there are many answers to this issue and having many groups at the table will make those answers easier to find and then implement.

Norma Felker:

Unfortunately I can’t respond positively to these questions. A dedicated heritage planner position is a budget item and would need to be proposed by the planning department. In the past few terms of council I don’t recall seeing any heritage proposals. I would likely support such a staffing request.

I would advocate for and support heritage conservation wherever possible, even with the recognition that it will be costly.

I have stated and firmly believe that collaboration with citizens, community groups and all levels of government is essential if solutions to the larger challenges are to be achieved. I would advocate for and support a collaborative approach. The City cannot make any progress on these issues without widespread support.

Paolo Gallina:

Q1. Heritage is a vital part of Whitehorse’s identity. I support reactivating the Heritage Advisory Committee and updating the Heritage Bylaw and Registry. Ensuring we have a heritage planner to collaborate with organizations like YHMA is crucial for preserving our city’s history. If elected, I would advocate for integrating heritage considerations into city planning to ensure our cultural landscape remains intact amid development.

Q2. I believe heritage conservation plays an essential role in sustainability. Preserving and repurposing older buildings keeps materials out of landfills and aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan. I would support incentives for building owners to maintain and retrofit heritage structures, including grants and tax credits, to preserve Whitehorse’s unique character while reducing the environmental impact of demolition.

Q3. I recognize the need for collaboration between governments, NGOs, the RCMP, and the public to address property crime and community safety. Strengthening enforcement is important, but so is investing in and advocating for social supports, mental health, and addiction services. Creating vibrant, safe public spaces by promoting arts and cultural activities, and fostering community engagement, can also help improve safety and cohesion.

Eileen Melnychuk:

Q1. To address the outdated or nonexistent heritage resource management tools, I would develop a multi-step plan that prioritizes both modernizing the framework and ensuring it’s adaptable for future needs. To accomplish this, I would:

Advocate for the revival of the Heritage Advisory Committee, drawing from local experts, Indigenous knowledge keepers and community members to ensure diverse representation in the Committee’s focus, work and decision-making and a broad knowledge base to inform its decisions.

Push for an updated Heritage Management Plan that reflects modern values, and a long-term vision for our city. This would include sustainable practices and cultural inclusivity drawing on our rich First Nations’ history and other sources to ensure its integrated into the city’s broader urban planning strategies.

The city needs to update many outdated bylaws including the Heritage Bylaw struck in 2002. I am committed to working with the Council and staff to update several outdated bylaws including this one. This would support the city and its partners to have a contemporary understanding of heritage and its importance to our city.

I would also work with partners like YHMA to conduct a comprehensive review of the Heritage Registry to incorporate new buildings that have historical or cultural value and reflect the evolving identity of Whitehorse.

Finally, I would look at the possibility of working with our staff and heritage partners to consider whether the city or an NGO could hire a part-time person, maybe a summer MA or PHD student to work as a heritage planner. Of course, this would be dependent on our budget and priorities. We may have to be innovative to address some of the matters facing the new Council.

Q2. As someone who has spent time working in a heritage building, I appreciate our heritage buildings and heritage locations. These buildings and places are vital in preserving our city’s, and the Yukon’s heritage and spirit of place. If elected I would like to liaise with the Heritage Advisory committee, if this is within the city’s mandate.

I feel that incentivizing and supporting conservation of our heritage buildings is a big step towards supporting our city’s Climate Action Plan. Heritage conservation aligns with several goals outlined in the Plan. Plus, it’s important to integrate conserving older buildings into our city’s broader climate goals. To support heritage conservation, I would propose financial incentives such as tax breaks, grants, or low-interest loans for property owners who want to preserve or retrofit heritage buildings with energy-efficient solutions.

Advocate for public awareness campaigns highlighting the socio-economic and environmental benefits of conserving our heritage buildings and sites, plus, develop an education campaign to inform residents of the value of our heritage buildings and sites.

Work with the council and staff to ensure the Climate Action Plan incorporates heritage retention and heritage protection as a climate strategy, recognizing that retaining and restoring older buildings contributes to the overall resilience of our city.

As part of my platform on sustainability and liveability, I am advocating for the city to work with Heritage building operators to ensure our city preserves our historical significance.

Q3. As someone who works in the NGO sector and appreciates the extensive work our NGOs provide to our community, I would network with NGOs to get their opinion on developing strategies to address the social aspects contributing to crime. As a Councillor, I would resurrect a Downtown Community Advisory Council with members from NGOs, the RCMP, businesses, and the Yukon government to advise on issues and work together on responses that fit our needs and help make our community safer. We had a similar committee like this from 2011-2014 that worked on developing collaborative solutions to improve public safety

Collaboration is the key to improving community safety and addressing the rise in property crime. No one organization can address the root causes of criminal activity. The response needs to be a multi-faceted, multi-agency approach to be successful. My approach would include::

Facilitating stronger partnerships between the city, the RCMP, the Yukon government, and NGO social service providers to create a comprehensive safety plan that addresses the root causes of crime, such as mental health issues, trauma, homelessness, and substance abuse.

Supporting the development of community-based safety initiatives, which would help residents become more aware of crime prevention such as neighborhood watch programs or community safety patrols, which could help build trust between the RCMP and the public.

I would encourage dialogue through town halls or round-table discussions where residents, NGOs working in this field such as YAPC, and vulnerable people can voice their concerns and propose solutions, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility over community safety.

Focus on enhancing public spaces like Lepage Park, by making them welcoming and accessible while ensuring that heritage buildings are maintained as vibrant community hubs that contribute to public safety. One step could include promoting the park for community-based events such as music, a community market, outdoor movies, special item sales such antiques or reusable merchandise to promote a circular economy. We have often had events like this in the past, so it may only be a case of igniting interest in such events, and of course finding funding.

Lenore Morris:

Q1: I would support creation of a dedicated heritage planner position, full or part-time dependent on funding. The 25 year old Heritage Management Plan obviously needs to be updated. I would push for re-establishment of a Heritage Committee. Yukoners’ perspective on heritage has greatly expanded in recent years and our treatment of it needs to reflect that. Heritage is obviously important from a cultural perspective but it is also important from an economic/tourism perspective.

Q2: I believe that “reduce, re-use and recycle” applies to buildings as well as to bottles and cans. Revitalizing heritage buildings so they are climate change friendly (energy efficient, perhaps even net zero) can increase the availability and quality of Whitehorse’s existing commercial and residential buildings. It also ties in with my goal of densification downtown and in the nearby neighbourhoods. I would encourage the City to work with other levels of government to help property owners to access funding to make such upgrades.

Q3: Long term, the best way to ensure safety and counter property crime, is to have, what Jane Jacobs famously described as, more “eyes on the street”. The downtown that I envision, with a larger population and more businesses open in the evening, will have a lot more eyes on the street.

In the near term, the City needs to reach out to and listen to the organizations with on-the-ground knowledge of the property crime problem – including the RCMP, Connective and NGO’s – to identify what actions are needed and within the City’s jurisdiction to take, then act on them.

There are serious and long-term social problems underlying much of the property crime downtown, but there needs to be a balancing between the needs of people struggling with addictions, and the needs of other residents and businesses in our neighbourhood.

Event Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
Event Location: MacBride Museum of Yukon History, Whitehorse
Proposal Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 15, 2024

We are pleased to announce that our 2024 Heritage Symposium, Intersections, will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the MacBride Museum of Yukon History in Whitehorse. Join YHMA for a chance to meet new colleagues and catch up with old ones, be inspired by new ideas and trends, and share knowledge and standards of practice. Registration will be free of charge and include lunch and refreshments.

YHMA is currently seeking proposals for presentations. Case studies, theory-based talks, roundtable discussions, and other formats are welcome – we encourage you to think outside the box! A maximum length of 20 minutes applies to most presentations; group-based, discussion-focused sessions may be up to 45 minutes in length.

Proposals addressing the event theme are strongly encouraged, but if you have an idea for a presentation you’d like to share, please get in touch – we are open to all ideas, provided they have some connection or relevance to Yukon heritage and/or the Yukon heritage sector.

Theme: Intersections

Heritage doesn’t stand on its own. It intersects with many other aspects of our lives and surroundings, whether tangible or intangible. Some intersections are inherent, while others may arise through partnerships, the application of external techniques or ideas, and other conscious decisions. Identity, culture, art, tourism, climate action, science, self-determination, the non-profit sector, government, and more: all are connected to heritage. Even within heritage, different aspects both intersect and diverge. Together, we will explore these intersections at the 2024 Yukon Heritage Symposium.

How to Submit a Proposal

Step 1: Gather your information.

• Name of contact/primary presenter
• Contact phone number and e-mail address
• Names of additional presenter(s), if applicable
• Presenter(s’) position(s) and organization(s), if applicable
• Presentation title/theme
• Brief description of proposed presentation
• Estimated length of presentation
•  Anticipated technical requirements

Step 2: Complete and submit the Google Form here by September 15, 2024. 

Please send any questions to Lianne Maitland, Executive Director, at info@heritageyukon.ca or 867-667-4704.

Intake Deadline: August 4, 2024 for training projects starting August 19 or later

We are pleased to announce that Yukon Heritage Training Fund (HTF) is open for applications once again!

Don’t miss this opportunity to get funding for training projects starting August 19, 2024 or later. Individuals and groups are invited to apply to HTF to undertake or create a training opportunity that will increase the skills and knowledge of Yukoners in the heritage sector.

To access application documents and the current fund policy, click here.

Please note this intake is being held outside of our usual schedule. We will return to our regular intake schedule in October. If you are pursuing training that begins before August 19, you may request early evaluation. We cannot fund projects that are completed or already underway.

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 5:30 pm
Location: Old Log Church Museum (corner of 3rd Ave. and Elliott St., Whitehorse) and online (Zoom – registration required)

Join us on Wednesday, June 19 at the Old Log Church Museum or on Zoom for our 2024 AGM! All are welcome, although only members in good standing are eligible to vote and stand for election, including designated representatives of Institutional and Corporate Affiliate members.

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 2023-24 financial statements, and electing our 2024-25 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 here 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 Tuesday, June 18, 2024 for delivery to the Chairperson presiding over the meeting, or delivered directly to the Chairperson presiding over the meeting prior to its commencement.

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

We are pleased to announce the five recipients of the annual Yukon Heritage Awards, who will be honoured at our upcoming awards ceremony on Monday, February 19, 2024.

Yukoners are invited to attend the ceremony in person at the Yukon Archives or livestreamed on the YHMA Facebook page here. The event will start at 7 pm, with doors opening at the Yukon Archives at 6:45 pm. No registration is required.

Instead of granting an Annual Heritage Award, YHMA is pleased to be honour two individuals with History Maker Awards. A Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award; Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award; and Heritage Conservation Project of the Year Award will also be presented.

Prior to the awards presentation, guest speaker Gùdia – Mary Jane Johnson will give a talk entitled Kwadą̄y dän yeshäw shàwthan k’e – Will You Be a Good Ancestor? A reception will follow the ceremony.

Ruth Armson will receive a History Maker Award in recognition of her work preserving the stories of individual Yukoners. Following a successful, thirty-plus year career as a teacher who passionately shared history with her students, Ruth set up a memoir-writing group for seniors which led to multiple publications of family histories. She herself has published an autobiography and two biographies for Yukon seniors. Ruth also co-authored, with Yann Herry, the book La francophonie : une richesse nordique = Northern Portraits and through her involvement with the Pioneer Women of the Yukon Society, Lodge #2 has helped produce over 100 biographies of Yukon women and two published booklets, North to New Horizons, Volume 1 (2022) and Volume 2 (2023).

A second History Maker Award will be granted to the late John Layman, who left an indelible mark on the territory through his extensive involvement in various artistic endeavours. John’s remarkable calligraphy and signs can be seen throughout the Yukon and have become part of our communities’ identities. From calligraphy to intricately sandblasted cedar signs, his craftsmanship graces neighbourhoods, parks, municipalities, and other significant heritage landmarks. John also left deep and meaningful impressions on countless musicians from the Yukon and beyond through his work in music. Beyond his artistic achievements, John was a proud Yukoner who warmly welcomed many newcomers to the North, fostering a sense of community and connection, teaching a respect for Northern heritage, and helping to make the Yukon what it is today.

Harris Cox will receive the Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Award for his work with the Yukon Transportation Museum (YTM). Harris has volunteered at, and donated artifacts to, the YTM periodically over the past decade with an intensifying of his volunteering over the past year. In 2023, he donated a tote full of slides to the YTM, which the museum then scanned. The collection represents a treasure trove of images of the Yukon from the 1950s to the 1990s and Harris has been working with museum staff weekly, reviewing the scans and identifying the places, people, and events they represent. His extensive experience and dedication make Harris a volunteer advocate for the Yukon and a community memory reservoir worthy of recognition.

This year’s Innovation, Education, and Community Engagement Award will be presented to Shot in the Dark Productions for their 2023 film, Signal Fire. This documentary takes its themes and ideas from an academic paper called “Toward Reconciliation: 10 calls to Action to Natural Scientists Working in Canada.” Both the paper and film focus on restoring balance in the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. Shot in the Dark Productions worked with the authors of the paper and others to illustrate how the relationship between researchers and Indigenous communities must be on a path of mutual respect. Signal Fire serves to spread the word to researchers in all disciplines that developing and sustaining healthy, vibrant communities means embracing many forms of wisdom and dialogue, and that how research is conducted, and with whom, matters as much as the focus of the research.

The Yukon Film Society (YFS) will be honoured with the Heritage Conservation Project of the Year Award for their conservation of the Yukon Theatre’s historic neon sign. Throughout the project the YFS has shown a passion for restoring this cherished landmark of downtown Whitehorse. The goal of the Society’s conservation project was to repaint the Yukon Theatre signage in its original 1954 colours and to repair the sign’s neon lettering. This restoration project was successful in following the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada though the historical research, planning, and documentation of the project. This project has helped to preserve this iconic mid-century movie house and one of the last remaining neon façades in Whitehorse. The Heritage Conservation Project of the Year award is sponsored by the Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Yukon.

Award descriptions and details of previous award recipients can be found here.

Propel your organization or business in the digital world! YHMA is announcing a series of digital workshops presented by Inga Petri and Briana Doyle of Strategic Moves between November 22 to February 28.

These workshops are for YHMA members only. Become a YHMA member here and see the list of benefits. A Zoom meeting link will be provided upon registration as a member.

Attendance at any previous workshops in the series is not required to attend later workshops.

Dates and Time: November 22 – February 28, Wednesdays from 10:30-11:45 am Yukon Time
Location: Zoom

Having a basic understanding of these concepts will allow participants to:

1. better manage and assess the impact of their web presence
2. make informed decisions when working with web designers or agencies
3. adapt to changes and emerging trends

This understanding and adaptability is crucial for maintaining an effective online presence over time.

• Workshop 1 (Nov 22): Building an effective online presence
• Workshop 2 (Nov 29): Creating web content that connects with your audiences
• Workshop 3 (Dec 6): Traditional and Advanced Search Engine Optimization
• Workshop 4 (Dec 13): How to create machine-readable content that powers discoverability online
• Workshop 5 (Jan 10): The changing social media landscape
• Workshop 6 (Jan 17): Finding and engaging your audiences online
• Workshop 7 (Jan 31): Creating videos for online engagement
• Workshop 8 (Feb 7): How to create, manage and share your media content online
• Workshop 9 (Feb 21): Using digital technologies to preserve and share artifacts / content
• Workshop 10 (Feb 28): Delivering great online and hybrid meetings

If you have any questions, please reach out to our digital project coordinator at programs@heritageyukon.ca.

We are pleased to announce the schedule for our 2023 Yukon Heritage Symposium coming up next Wednesday, October 18 at Da Kų Cultural Centre! We hope to see you in Haines Junction. You can register (free of charge!) here until end of day Friday, October 13. If you would like to register after that date, please contact us at info@heritageyukon.ca.

• 10:00-10:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
• 10:15-11:15 Session 1
  • Linda Johnson and Richard Lawrence (Yukon Council of Archives): Preserving Yukon’s Film and Video Heritage – Report on Findings to Date
  • Angélique Bernard: New Ways of Presenting History
  • Michael Gates and Kathy Jones-Gates: Researching the History of the Yukon Order of Pioneers
• 11:15-11:30 Morning Break
• 11:30-12:15 Session 2
  • Peggy D’Orsay (Hidden Histories Society Yukon): Venturing North: photo album of life in the Yukon
  • Tagish/Denke Connections Group
• 12:15-1:15 Lunch
• 1:15-2:35 Session 3
  • Sylvie Binette and Angélique Bernard (Société d’histoire francophone du Yukon): Société d’histoire francophone du Yukon: Milestones and innovation
  • Harmony Hunter (Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association): Walk With Us – Respectful Travel Guidelines
  • Gwen Kovachik-MacNeil: ‘Indigenizing’ is just another colonial way of saying “hang a Medicine Wheel on the wall”: Privileging YFN voices in Education
  • Lianne Maitland (YHMA): Update from Yukon Historical & Museums Association – the Reconsidering Museums and Heritage Reset Projects
• 2:35-2:250 Afternoon Break
• 2:50-3:15 Session 4
  • Max Fraser: What to do about contemporary history?
• 3:15-4:00 Open Forum

Date & Time: October 18, 2023, 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Da Kų Cultural Centre, Haines Junction
Cost: Free

Join YHMA at our 2023 Yukon Heritage Symposium, Looking Forward, Looking Back, for a chance to meet new colleagues and catch up with old ones, be inspired by new ideas and trends, and share knowledge and best practices. Registration is free of charge and includes lunch and refreshments. 

2023 marks the Yukon’s 125^th year as an official territory of Canada. This is an opportunity to both celebrate and reckon with our past, beginning millennia before 1898, and look to the future we want to create – a task to which the heritage sector is uniquely well-suited.

This Symposium seeks to explore what we are learning about and from our heritage, how we think about and conduct work in heritage and how these are changing, and how the heritage sector contributes – or could contribute – to building a better future.

Register online now or download and return the registration form to join us in Haines Junction!

We are also still accepting presentation proposals until September 13! The Call for Presentations can be found here.

Event Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Event Location: Da Kų Cultural Centre, Haines Junction
Proposal Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The 2023 Heritage Symposium, Looking Forward, Looking Back, will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in Haines Junction at the beautiful Da Kų Cultural Centre. Join YHMA for a chance to meet new colleagues and catch up with old ones, be inspired by new ideas and trends, and share knowledge and best practices. Registration will be free of charge and include lunch and refreshments.

2023 marks the Yukon’s 125^th year as an official territory of Canada. This is an opportunity to both celebrate and reckon with our past, beginning millennia before 1898, and look to the future we want to create – a task to which the heritage sector is uniquely well-suited.

Our sector can shine a light on historical and contemporary issues and challenges and support important dialogues and actions to address them. It can empower communities to take the lead in sharing their own stories and conserving the heritage that is meaningful to them. It can embrace digital technologies to create unique experiences or make the inaccessible accessible. It can help us understand where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to be in our communities and as a territory.

This Symposium seeks to explore what we are learning about and from our heritage, how we think about and conduct work in heritage and how these are changing, and how the heritage sector contributes – or could contribute – to building a better future.

YHMA is currently seeking proposals for presentations. Case studies, theory-based talks, and other formats are welcome. Presentations should be a maximum of 20 minutes in duration and may involve multiple speakers.  

Suggested themes include the following, but if you have an idea for a presentation you’d like to share, please get in touch – we are open to any and all ideas, provided they have some connection or relevance to Yukon heritage and/or the Yukon heritage sector.

• Digitization and new technologies
• Crowdsourcing and community-based projects or research
• Engaging new audiences
• Re-thinking and re-imagining policies and procedures
• Advancing reconciliation and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Disaster planning and emergency response

How to Submit a Proposal
All proposals should be submitted using the contact information below, Attn: Heritage Symposium Committee, by September 13, 2023. Proposals should include:

• Name of contact/primary presenter
• Contact phone number and e-mail address
• Names of additional presenter(s), if applicable
• Presenter(s’) position(s) and organization(s), if applicable
• Presentation title/theme
• Brief description of proposed presentation
• Estimated length of presentation
• Anticipated technical requirements

Please send any questions to Lianne Maitland, Executive Director, using the same contact information.

Email: info@heritageyukon.ca
Mail: 3126 3rd Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 1E7
Fax: 867-667-4506

You can download a copy of this Call for Presentations here.

On July 26, Prime Minister Trudeau announced a cabinet shuffle and appointed Pascale St-Onge as the new Minister of Canadian Heritage. In partnership with the provincial museum associations, YHMA has sent a welcome letter to the new Minister. You can read the letter here.

We would also like to thank the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, the outgoing Minister, for his service as Minister of Canadian Heritage. Minister Rodriquez has now taken on the Ministry of Transport portfolio.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault remains Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.