Yukon Archives Photo/Oxford Historical Society Collection #84/78#112
On August 4, 1914, Canada entered into the First World War as part of the British Empire. The war that “would be over by Christmas” continued for another four years, and would eventually claim the lives of over 60,000 Canadians.
The First World War transformed Canada. The political, economic and social turmoil caused by the global conflict reached the Yukon. Over 600 residents volunteered out of a Territorial population of 5,000. Local womens’ groups helped raise money and knit socks for the war effort. The conflict also transformed the North’s relationship with more southern regions–North American tourists who had previously participated on Grand Tours of Europe now set their sights on more domestic destinations, including Alaska and the Yukon.
The centennary of the First World War offers an opportunity to better understand the relationship between the North and the conflict–until now a relatively unknown chapter of Yukon and world history.
In this section, you will find resources to help explore and better understand the impact of the First World War. New resources will be added as they become available–be sure to check back often.
Resources from the Yukon
The Northern Review #44 – The North and the First World War: papers presented at The North and the First World War conference, held May 9-12. 2016 and produced by YHMA and the University of Saskatchewan (International Centre for Northern Governance and Development), in partnership with Yukon College.
The Yukon and WWI: a documentary produced for Northwestel on the Yukon’s role in the First World War.
Local Yukon historian Michael Gates has published several articles based on his ongoing research into World War One:
Online Exhibits and Other Resources
Canada’s History: Canada’s Great War Album
Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) service records: a searchable database of over 600,000 soldiers
Library and Archives Canada database: War Diaries of the First World War
Veterans Affairs Canada: the First World War (includes teaching resources)
Canadian Encyclopedia: the First World War
The Canadian Letters & Images Project
BC Remembers: Resources
University of Victoria Libraries: digitized military collections
Archives of Ontario: several online exhibits and research resources
Canadian War Museum (online, interactive exhibit, including Teacher Resources): Canada and the First World War
Imperial War Museum: First World War Centenary
Australian Government: The Anzac Centenary
New Zealand: WW100 New Zealand