On May 12, Yukoners Leo Martel and Richard Fontaine placed wooden placards over the word “Alaska” on the highway signs leading into Whitehorse. In its place, they stencilled “Yukon” in bold red letters and decorated each sign with the Canadian and Yukon flags. Francophone versions of the placards were also posted. Martel said it was a protest — an act of solidarity in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
As an Alaskan, I understand the problem. The actions of our federal governments often do not reflect the values held by the people who live in the North. This was clearly a symbolic act against a government decision that many find troubling. I get that. I really get it.
But I want to offer another view, one rooted in personal history, shared sacrifice, and the deep bonds that connect Alaskans and Yukoners.
I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War era. My village in Alaska, like many Alaska Native communities, has sent soldiers to every major war since World War I. I’ve attended funerals for relatives and neighbours that made it home from combat. Some fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Canadian forces at Normandy. Others trained or served with Canadians during global conflicts where our nations stood side by side.
The Alaska Highway, whose signs were altered, was itself born from one of these moments of alliance. Built during World War II to support the Aleutian Campaign and the defence of North America, it’s a literal and symbolic road of unity between our countries.
That’s why covering of the word “Alaska” just didn’t seem right, not because of wounded pride, but because it risks overshadowing the real, human ties that define our relationship. Our histories are not just parallel—they are intertwined. We're Alaskans and Yukoners.
Alaskans and Yukoners have always shared this land, this space, its struggles, and its beauty. We trade, visit, hunt, and raise families across our borders. We’re neighbours in the truest sense. Our connections go far beyond what’s written on a sign or declared in political speeches.
This is not a defence of the American administration. In fact, I share the concern that many of these federal-level decisions alienate our friends and neighbours. But we can’t let those decisions erode the solidarity we’ve built person to person, family to family, veteran to veteran.
We are people before governments and I hope we can stay strong together.
Don Bremner
Yakutat, Alaska
