History is on the move this summer
It has been a busy week. In fact, I have been practically run off my feet and still can’t keep up with every historical event that is being offered in Whitehorse.
An early trip on the Overland Trail
“We dashed through virgin forests, climbed mountains, flew around dizzying curves, and skidded along narrow cliffs until my heart was in my throat and my soul was full of thrills.”
The story of Chicken Billy Anstett
William Horkan had the prestigious job of gardener at the Commissioner’s Residence, but the horticulturist whose name stands out was William Anstett, but was widely known as Chicken Billy.
In Dawson, I saw wonderful things
When I visited the old courthouse in Dawson City this past weekend, where I had an office for 18 years as curator for Parks Canada, it was like seeing the place for the first time, and yes, I saw wonderful things.
This was Yukon life 100 years ago
One hundred years ago, war was the dominant topic in the minds of Yukoners as the “Great War” dragged on into its third year. Human life became an expendable commodity stalemate in the battlefields of France and Belgium.
Students dive into history at annual heritage fair
My wife Kathy and I went on an amazing journey of discovery Thursday of last week. One minute, I was retracing the steps of a man collecting botanical specimens en route to Alaska over the Chilkoot Pass, thanks to the vivid account of Kalie Bennett of Golden Horn School. The next minute Kathy was learning about Faith Fenton, the Gold Rush journalist, from Marie Mabilog of Christ the King Elementary School.
The day the United States bombed Dawson City
Every year about this time, people start speculating on the break-up of the Yukon. Ice pool tickets are purchased with hopes of selecting the winning time for the ice to move in front of Dawson City.
Management plan will preserve Lansing heritage site
I attended a meeting on Tuesday this week at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre where the First Nation of the Nacho Nyak Dun and the Government of Yukon hosted a public meeting.
Rare newspapers reveal political satire of cartoonist Arthur Buel
In a recent column (Feb. 10), I wrote about the artistic genius of political cartoonist Arthur Buel.
Awards night in ‘Hollywood North’
When asked if the Yukon is becoming Hollywood North, New York filmmaker Bill Morrison turned the question on its head by stating that Hollywood is “Yukon South.”
Book launch evokes Alaska Highway memories
The launch of the new book Beyond Mile Zero took place at the Baked Café April 7. More than 100 people crowded into the tiny space to hear author Lily Gontard and photographer Mark Kelly share their experiences.
Beyond Mile Zero chronicles Alaska Highway’s vanishing lodges
When I ask somebody about how they arrived in the Yukon, they will often give me a colourful account of travelling the Alaska Highway. The long drive through northern boreal forest and the Rocky Mountains has often served as a transition between an old life and a new one.
Yukoners fought in the battle for Vimy Ridge
On April 9, thousands of Canadians, including a number of people from the Yukon, will converge at the site of the Canadian memorial atop Vimy Ridge in France.
Yukon soldiers experienced the horrors of trench warfare first hand
By the end of 1916, the men of Joe Boyle’s Yukon Battery had become veterans in the field, having experienced battle and the extreme conditions on the Western Front.