Students from all over the territory gathered at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on May 1 to share their heritage projects with the public. The 2025 Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair is part of a national program to encourage students to explore Canadian heritage in both official languages.
This year, 32 students from schools across the Yukon participated: École Whitehorse Elementary School, Elijah Smith Elementary School, Hidden Valley Elementary School, Jack Hulland Elementary School, Robert Service School (Dawson City), and St. Elias Community School (Haines Junction).
Students selected a heritage topic and with the support of their teachers, conducted research, and prepared presentations that were assessed by volunteer judges who, through their work, or personal interests, are involved in various heritage-related fields. Prizes were awarded in a wide range of categories, and the public was invited in to see and celebrate their remarkable work.
Projects varied widely in their subject matter, from sanitation during the Gold Rush and haunted buildings in Dawson City, to the Calgary Stampede (then and now) and the impact of Manon Rheaume (who was the first woman to play hockey in the NHL). Students from Elijah Smith School focused on family ties with projects on grandparents (“My Chinese grandma”) and elders (“Who is Alex Van Bibber?”).
It was a busy morning. Students began arriving by 8 a.m. to set up their projects in the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Longhouse, which was soon buzzing with activity. The opening ceremony began at 9 a.m. with a prayer by Kwanlin Dün First Nation Elder Stanley Jack, followed by welcoming remarks by Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron and Jeanie McLean, the Yukon's minister of education.
The students were divided into two groups. While one group was explaining their projects to the judges, the other group was involved in activities in the multi-purpose room. Participating in special events with the students were Leyla Weston, outreach geologist from the Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, and artist Rhoda Merkel, artist-in-residence at Swan Haven for this year. Projects of students at Robert Service School in Dawson were judged virtually by Zoom.
During the lunch hour, the exhibits were open to the public, and both students and the public cast their ballots for the People’s Choice Award. The ballots were counted, and the selections for the various awards were made. After lunch, Commissioner Adeline Webber handed out the awards. The recipients were:
Grade 4/5 Awards
· 1st Place: Mia Vance, “Who is Alex Van Bibber?” (Elijah Smith Elementary School)
· 2nd Place: Darragh Hovenden, “Surviving the Irish Famine” (École Whitehorse Elementary School )
· 3rd Place: Quinn Kennedy, “My Great Grandpa John” (Elijah Smith Elementary School)
Grade 6/7 Awards
· 1st Place: Connor McRae, “The Frontier of Flying: Bush Planes in the Yukon and Their Impacts on Communities” (Hidden Valley Elementary School)
· 2nd Place: Ewen Wheeler, “Hugh Aitcheson: Battle of the Atlantic” (Jack Hulland Elementary School)
· 3rd Place: Jasmine Mangupit, “The Impact of Manon Rheaume” (St. Elias Community School)
Special Awards
Best Graphic Design Award (supported by Patricia Halladay Graphic Design): Avaleen Bowen-Tyacke, “Frank Stanli” (Elijah Smith Elementary School)
Best Research and Writing Award (supported by Midnight Arts): Jasmine Mangupit, “The Impact of Manon Rheaume” (St. Elias Community School)
Oral Presentation Award (supported by Yukon Historical And Museums Association): Grace Dolan, "Bead to the Bone" (Jack Hulland Elementary School)
Canadian Heritage Award (supported by Yukon Historical And Museums Association): Abby Fry and Waverly Wigmore, "La découverte de la catastrophe d'Halifax" (École Whitehorse Elementary School )
Geneaology Award - Grade 4/5 (supported by Maggie Leary): Avaleen Bowen-Tyacke, "Frank Stanli" (Elijah Smith Elementary School)
Geneaology Award - Grade 6/7/8 (supported by Maggie Leary): Isaac Tremblay-Gordon, "Jack Stick: Trail to the Coast" (St. Elias Community School)
Indigenous History, Heritage and Culture Award (supported by Linda Johnson and Lori Eastmure): Jade Morberg, "A Lifetime of Art" (Elijah Smith Elementary School)
Oral History Award (supported by Linda Johnson and Lori Eastmure):
Isaac Tremblay-Gordon, "Jack Stick: Trail to the Coast" (St. Elias Community School)
Yukon History Hunter Award (supported by Michael Gates):
Connor McRae, "The Frontier of Flying: Bush Planes in the Yukon and Their Impacts on Communities" (Hidden Valley Elementary School) and Isaac Tremblay-Gordon, "Jack Stick: Trail to the Coast" (St. Elias Community School)
Yukon Archives Award (supported by the Yukon Archives):
Connor McRae, "The Frontier of Flying: Bush Planes in the Yukon and Their Impacts on Communities" (Hidden Valley Elementary School)
Parks Canada People’s Choice Awards
Grade 4/5: Margaux Arenas, “The Philippines and Immigration to Canada” (École Whitehorse Elementary School )
Grade 6/7: Margaret Kinna, “The Takhini River Horses” (St. Elias Community School)
Canada’s History National Showcase
Abby Fry and Waverly Wigmore, "La découverte de la catastrophe d'Halifax" (École Whitehorse Elementary School )
Isaac Tremblay-Gordon, "Jack Stick: Trail to the Coast" (St. Elias Community School)
Special acknowledgement goes out to the sponsors who made this event possible. The Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair was 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. Sponsors for the various awards are noted above.
Special thanks and congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s event.
