I am a young Yukoner and I’m worried.
Right now I am away studying at university, but I will be coming back to live in the Yukon. Why? Because of our incredible wilderness.
It wasn’t until I left home that I realized how amazing and unique the Yukon is.
I feel so lucky and proud to be from here. But I’m worried about how long our wilderness will last in the face of increasing development.
Soon I will be searching for a job, so I understand the importance of a strong economy. Jobs matter to me. (A place to live would be nice too, but that’s another story). But a job is not why I’m coming back to the Yukon.
For me, a job is the means, and the end is our community and our environment. Trading the environment for the economy is nonsensical.
We’ve been scared into thinking that we have to sacrifice the environment if we want jobs. I don’t believe it. I truly believe we can treasure and protect our wilderness while building a sustainable economy.
I also believe that now is the time to make that choice. Now is the time to remember what makes the Yukon the place we love!
Emily Tredger
Halifax, Nova Scotia