Local News

Several Yukon ministers and First Nation chiefs are seen here at the end of Dec. 11’s Yukon Forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. They are standing at the sacred fire, which was maintained overnight after the MMIWGS2+ strategy signing ceremony the previous day. (Submitted)

Yukon First Nation chiefs assess priorities in MMIWG2S+ strategy

Cross-territory collaboration required to implement 31 action items, chiefs say

Several Yukon ministers and First Nation chiefs are seen here at the end of Dec. 11’s Yukon Forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. They are standing at the sacred fire, which was maintained overnight after the MMIWGS2+ strategy signing ceremony the previous day. (Submitted)
After a decade spent gathering the stories, history and language of its people, the Kwanlin Dün First Nation has released its written history, <em>Kwanlin Dün Dǎ kwǎndur ghày ghakwadîndur Our Stories in Our Words</em>. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)

A history of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation detailed in new book

Publication has been a 10-year effort

After a decade spent gathering the stories, history and language of its people, the Kwanlin Dün First Nation has released its written history, <em>Kwanlin Dün Dǎ kwǎndur ghày ghakwadîndur Our Stories in Our Words</em>. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)
Founder of Yukon Helpers Network, Ashley Fewer. Since starting the Facebook group back in March of this year, more than $70,000 has been raised to help Yukoners. (Submitted)

Yukon Helpers Network raises $72,000 during pandemic

The 5,000-member Facebook group and website registered as a non-profit this week

Founder of Yukon Helpers Network, Ashley Fewer. Since starting the Facebook group back in March of this year, more than $70,000 has been raised to help Yukoners. (Submitted)
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A proposal to lower speed limits throughout Whitehorse’ downtown is expected to come forward to Whitehorse city council early in the new year. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Downtown slowdown proposed for 2021

Speed limits would be 40 km/hr and 30 km/hr

A proposal to lower speed limits throughout Whitehorse’ downtown is expected to come forward to Whitehorse city council early in the new year. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Several Yukon ministers and First Nation chiefs are seen here at the end of Dec. 11’s Yukon Forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. They are standing at the sacred fire, which was maintained overnight after the MMIWGS2+ strategy signing ceremony the previous day. (Submitted)

New government policy aims to award 15 per cent of contracts to First Nations businesses

The policy was announced Dec. 11 following the Yukon Forum

Several Yukon ministers and First Nation chiefs are seen here at the end of Dec. 11’s Yukon Forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. They are standing at the sacred fire, which was maintained overnight after the MMIWGS2+ strategy signing ceremony the previous day. (Submitted)
The Alaska Highway north is reflected in a vehicle’s side mirror as the sun sets behind a Kluane National Park mountain range. As part of the Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce Yukon Community Travel project, a survey was launched in early December for anyone who travels the territory by road. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Travel survey underway

Yukoners are being asked why and how they travel between communities in…

The Alaska Highway north is reflected in a vehicle’s side mirror as the sun sets behind a Kluane National Park mountain range. As part of the Yukon First Nations Chamber of Commerce Yukon Community Travel project, a survey was launched in early December for anyone who travels the territory by road. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
A breathalyzer shows a failed test. Drivers stopped at RCMP check stops can expect a mandatory breathalyzer test for the remainder of the holiday season. (RCMP handout)

Breathalyzer testing mandatory at RCMP check stops this month

Impaired driving one of the “largest issues” on Yukon roads, police say

A breathalyzer shows a failed test. Drivers stopped at RCMP check stops can expect a mandatory breathalyzer test for the remainder of the holiday season. (RCMP handout)

Employees’ union advocating for paid leave with Time Out campaign

Yukoners sharing stories of vacation days, sick days used for self-isolation

Porcupine caribou graze in the Arctic National Refuge. Scotiabank is the latest of five Canadian banks to reject drilling in ANWR. (Malkolm Boothroyd)

Scotiabank fifth major Canadian bank to reject drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

“Big five” Canadian banks won’t fund oil and gas drilling in the refuge

Porcupine caribou graze in the Arctic National Refuge. Scotiabank is the latest of five Canadian banks to reject drilling in ANWR. (Malkolm Boothroyd)
Yukon Energy says it is preparing a proposal to go to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board for the Southern Lakes enhanced storage project it is working on. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Yukon Energy moves forward with Southern Lakes storage project

Project anticipated to go to YESAB in summer 2021

Yukon Energy says it is preparing a proposal to go to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board for the Southern Lakes enhanced storage project it is working on. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
The Keno City Hotel is seen on fire Dec. 11 in Keno City. A group of Keno City residents in the 24-person community called for the independent public inquiry into the lack of fire protection in the community in a Dec. 14 letter following the fire that destroyed the hotel. (Kevin O’Hara/Facebook)

Keno residents call for public inquiry into fire protection

Minister states support for inquiry

The Keno City Hotel is seen on fire Dec. 11 in Keno City. A group of Keno City residents in the 24-person community called for the independent public inquiry into the lack of fire protection in the community in a Dec. 14 letter following the fire that destroyed the hotel. (Kevin O’Hara/Facebook)
Artist Joyce Majiski poses for a photo near her eight-metre long replica of a baby humpback whale’s skeleton made of discarded Styrofoam found in or near the ocean at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse on Dec. 7. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)

Yukon artist carves complete whale skeleton with discarded Styrofoam

Joyce Majiski hopes her Song of the Whale will have people reflecting on ocean pollution

Artist Joyce Majiski poses for a photo near her eight-metre long replica of a baby humpback whale’s skeleton made of discarded Styrofoam found in or near the ocean at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse on Dec. 7. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)
The Keno City Hotel burned down the night of Dec. 11, and an online fundraiser has already raised more than $13,000 for owner Leo Martel. (Bonnie Lynch/Submitted)

Fundraiser started after fire destroys Keno City Hotel

Building described as “heart and soul of Keno City”

The Keno City Hotel burned down the night of Dec. 11, and an online fundraiser has already raised more than $13,000 for owner Leo Martel. (Bonnie Lynch/Submitted)
Yukoners at-risk of contracting HIV will have access to a prescription drug that reduces the risk, beginning in the middle of January, announced the Yukon government in a statement on Dec. 4. Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost said, “It is important to ensure Yukoners who need access to this medication can receive it.” (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Coverage will be provided for HIV prevention medication

Yukoners at risk of contracting HIV will have access to a prescription…

Yukoners at-risk of contracting HIV will have access to a prescription drug that reduces the risk, beginning in the middle of January, announced the Yukon government in a statement on Dec. 4. Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost said, “It is important to ensure Yukoners who need access to this medication can receive it.” (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Legislative assembly on the last day of the fall sitting in Whitehorse on Nov. 22, 2018. The government and opposition party voted down a motion brought forward by the NDP on Dec. 9 that proposed a six-month freeze on rent increases to help renters during the pandemic. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Proposed six-month freeze on rent increases voted down in legislature

The Yukon has no limit on annual rent increases.

Legislative assembly on the last day of the fall sitting in Whitehorse on Nov. 22, 2018. The government and opposition party voted down a motion brought forward by the NDP on Dec. 9 that proposed a six-month freeze on rent increases to help renters during the pandemic. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Elections Yukon has launched online voter registration and unrestricted mail-in ballots in anticipation of next year’s territorial election. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)

Yukoners will register online for next territorial election

Virtual registration and unrestricted special ballots intended to boost voter turn-out

Elections Yukon has launched online voter registration and unrestricted mail-in ballots in anticipation of next year’s territorial election. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)
The Yukon government and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have officially signed the Fortymile caribou harvest management plan. (Yukon News file)

Agreement signed for Fortymile caribou herd management plan

“This plan is long overdue and we’re pleased to finally see it come to life.”

The Yukon government and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have officially signed the Fortymile caribou harvest management plan. (Yukon News file)
Yukon leaders attend a sacred fire ceremony before the signing of the strategy on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ people at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre on Dec. 10. (Government of Yukon)

Yukon leaders release strategy on MMIWG2S+

Thirty-one action items call for an end to violence and increased social and economic support

Yukon leaders attend a sacred fire ceremony before the signing of the strategy on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ people at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre on Dec. 10. (Government of Yukon)
Whitehorse City Hall. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)

City hall, briefly

A look at decisions made by Whitehorse city council this week

Whitehorse City Hall. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)
Vail Health Hospital employee health nurse Diane Schmidt, left, gives a mock COVID-19 vaccine to Caitlyn Ngam, an infection preventionist at the hospital on Dec. 8, in Vail, Colo. The Yukon is expected to receive 50,400 Moderna vaccine doses in January, enough to cover 75 per cent of its adult population. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

All Yukon adults will be able to receive COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021

“Not only do we have a fantastic opportunity, we also have an obligation to do this right.”

Vail Health Hospital employee health nurse Diane Schmidt, left, gives a mock COVID-19 vaccine to Caitlyn Ngam, an infection preventionist at the hospital on Dec. 8, in Vail, Colo. The Yukon is expected to receive 50,400 Moderna vaccine doses in January, enough to cover 75 per cent of its adult population. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)