Biking Whitehorse to Haines Junction
Welcome to the first of four articles on beginner bike touring around the Yukon. I’ll share a rundown of trips and some tips, as well […]
Biking Whitehorse to Haines Junction Read More »
Carpenters can be a ‘certified’ success
“When I was coming up through the trade, journeymen carpenters were these grey-haired ninjas … Yodas,” says Bill Johnstone, a Whitehorse carpenter. “But I’ve worked
Carpenters can be a ‘certified’ success Read More »
Girls Rock Camp
The closest I’ve come to being in a band was brought about through my love of the Spice Girls. When I was eleven, my friends
How To Cancer
My first idea was to write about women building for Habitat for Humanity. That fell through; no one got back to me. Then, I tried
If it’s Tuesday, it must be … Thailand?
From the modern glass and metal outer door, to the wooden old-timey inner door, The Wheelhouse Restaurant’s guests are instantly transported back to the Whitehorse
If it’s Tuesday, it must be … Thailand? Read More »
Brave New Works
Nostalgia: sometimes it’s bitter, sometimes it’s sweet, and sometimes…it’s bagpipes. Brave New Works (BNW), the annual Whitehorse-based multidisciplinary performing arts collective, is back with a
Burn Away the Dark Times
The Yukon winter is so long that Dawson City-based filmmaker Suzanne Crocker once said winter has its own seasons. Most Yukoners I know divide their
Burn Away the Dark Times Read More »
Gearing up for Cannibal
Am I excited. In April I’ll be acting in the Guild Society’s newest play, Cannibal the Musical written by Trey Parker of South Park fame.
Gearing up for Cannibal Read More »
Home Truths and Other Stories
The inherent drama of buying, selling, or renovating homes is tailor-made for reality television. You don’t need to own a house to be captivated by
Home Truths and Other Stories Read More »
Yukon Toy Story
My three-year-old daughter Emily has a new BFF in our home. Her and I used to have tea parties, play dates with dolls, and trains
Behind the scenes Of Canada’s bilingual heritage
In mid-January, I was given the opportunity to coordinate Je parle français And I Love in English, 2015, a theatrical performance written by and for
Behind the scenes Of Canada’s bilingual heritage Read More »
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Makes a Whitehorse Debut
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF), screening at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre on March 5, aims to create a space “where activism gets
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Makes a Whitehorse Debut Read More »
Adventures in Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone Territorial Park, and the highway that leads to it, evoke the images of the Yukon we love so much: vivid colours, vast, open land,
Adventures in Tombstone Territorial Park Read More »
Artists Disguised as Carpenters
Ogilvie General Contracting is a small company; Graydon Keenan is it. And he and his long time friend Jona Barr took his first big project
Artists Disguised as Carpenters Read More »
Bailey’s
It may not be a bar where everybody knows your name, but they sure as heck have seen you shoveling your driveway. It’s a neighbourhood
A Host Mom’s Story
The city bus stops right in front of our home in the Whitehorse. I still watch every day for “my boys” to get off and
A Host Mom’s Story Read More »
East Coasters Come North
When I reach Jon Mckiel he’s in the middle of a New Brunswick snowstorm. I’m in the Yukon, where the temperature has dipped below -30°C.
East Coasters Come North Read More »
A Handler’s Tale
When I showcased my subpar dog handling skills in a race for the first time, it was the 2006 Yukon Quest. But I was no
Bring it to the People With Lasers
“Ice climbing is a cold, miserable activity to do; these days technology makes it more comfortable, but still, you’re climbing up a frozen piece of water.”
Bring it to the People With Lasers Read More »
From handler to racer
After almost a decade of being a Yukon Quest handler, partner, sponsor, and anything else required, Tamra Reynolds is embarking on her very own Yukon
From handler to racer Read More »
Finding our Faces
Melissa Carlick learned about residential schools in a class, First Nations 100, during her first year at UNBC in Prince George. Afterward she asked her
Dan Mangan is Back in Town
Dan Mangan is almost as excited to see the Yukon again as Yukoners are to see him. In 2010, Mangan played both the Frostbite and Dawson
Dan Mangan is Back in Town Read More »
Ice climbing ain’t for the faint of heart
I have been a rock climber for seven years; I went from being an indoor climbing warrior to outdoors enthusiast. I climb 1500 feet walls;
Ice climbing ain’t for the faint of heart Read More »
Peterson & Sons from Mile 0 TO 918, Alaska Highway
I have been on an ad hoc personal journey to find my father’s heritage for several years. He passed away when I was only about
Peterson & Sons from Mile 0 TO 918, Alaska Highway Read More »
Behind the Man Who’s Behind the Camera
It’s Christmas Eve and Vince Fedoroff and I are drinking happy hour beers at the Gold Rush. The place is packed. We chat for a
Behind the Man Who’s Behind the Camera Read More »
Yukonstruct
If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. And you will make a million dollars. But first, you
Her Gigantic Heart Just Keeps Shining
Walking into Meshell Melvin’s house I am instantly at home. There are pet greeters, delicious smells, and my jacket falls naturally on the couch. With
Her Gigantic Heart Just Keeps Shining Read More »
Mountain elephants and buffalo eyes
It was the Christmas season in 2005 in Whitehorse and my two great-grandsons, Dakota and his younger brother Garrison, were visiting us during their Vancouver
Mountain elephants and buffalo eyes Read More »
Death of the American Dream
Dr. Hunter Stockton Thompson was a champion of fun. If he is remembered at all, it is through exaggerated shades of his personality. Bill Murray
Death of the American Dream Read More »
Living With Wildlife: Maggie Leary
This fox was photographed in Keno City. He was curious about what we were doing and obliged me by coming fairly close. I took this
Living With Wildlife: Maggie Leary Read More »
1920s Silent Film Night
Halloween is over, but don’t stop dressing up . On Saturday November 8, Open Pit theatre is giving you another chance; it’s hosting a 1920s-themed
1920s Silent Film Night Read More »
Get Some Witnesses Up in Here
Handwritten, unwitnessed wills — also called holographic wills — are valid in the Yukon as well as some of the provinces. One of the more
Get Some Witnesses Up in Here Read More »
Bargain Hunting: The Sport
The Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club (WCCS) will open its doors for the annual Winter Sports Swap and Fair this October 18 at 9:00 a.m. This
Bargain Hunting: The Sport Read More »
Human Interaction at the Library
It’s not a dating service, or a counselling session. It’s a conversation. It might lead to other things, who knows? It’s the second time the
Human Interaction at the Library Read More »
Green Burial in the Yukon
What happens when a person dies? We don’t truly know the answer, but death does hold one certainty: a once animated body stills. We do
Green Burial in the Yukon Read More »
Dancing’s his thing
struck his family, and Vig started drinking heavily to cope. Then he got a job with an oil company, and hightailed to Inuvik to work
Dancing’s his thing Read More »
Boiling Water
Waking up to a layer of snow on the ground, Sid van der Meer ventures out to his museum. He is getting ready for winter
Firewood: Then and Now
Firewood was a least-loved childhood chore, everything to do with firewood, but especially the process of getting it from the forest into the woodshed. The
Firewood: Then and Now Read More »
Fuelling Up
The beginning of September brings snow to Beaver Creek, home of Sid van der Meer’s Bordertown Garage & Museum. On a chilly September morning, van
Grievous Seas
Being human is to love, and to have, and to feel — deeply. Everyone will experience the loss of a loved one at some point.
A Female Perspective: Looking for Love Online
A while ago, What’s Up Yukon featured Mr. Charles Green’s articles, “Looking for Love Online”, from a male perspective. I am writing from my perspective,
A Female Perspective: Looking for Love Online Read More »
I’m not a comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce
If you have ever watched an HBO show, or have listened to an LP with a Parental Advisory, it is your duty to tip your
I’m not a comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce Read More »
Book Reading Season
Every season is book reading season, but the most exciting season to read books is in the fall. The feeling of the change from summer
Book Reading Season Read More »
Don’s Famous Peaches
A breakfast fit for the fit I normally buy two cases of Canadian grown peaches to last me one winter. They generally cost anywhere from
Don’s Famous Peaches Read More »
Driving
The peninsular city of Halifax isn’t a safe place to bicycle commute, but that sure makes it fun. The streets in the hilled port city
Hot Dogging in Quebec
I was on vacation with my family in southern Quebec when I opened e-mail from What’s Up Yukon editor Peter Jickling asking me if I
Hot Dogging in Quebec Read More »
How to Dump
It was a Monday evening in June, before solstice. At nine o’clock, the sun was shining hot. Dallas-rae Gaven was reading in her bathhouse-cum-cabin on
A Successful Spring
As an Elder, I learned from my past Elders; as a Gwitchin, I live along with the season. Porcupine Caribou is our main source of
A Successful Spring Read More »
Can I Come Along Again?
Germany is green and clean — there’s not much garbage, and there are recycling bins everywhere. The people are friendly. Being on a train is
Can I Come Along Again? Read More »
Living with Wildlife: Faye Cable
I took the baby robins nesting in on of our spruce trees in our Christmas Tree Farm. Mommy robin was high above me in a poplar
Living with Wildlife: Faye Cable Read More »
Big Caribou Days Celebration 2014
Move over Victoria Day, there’s another holiday in town. Before all you Queen enthusiasts spill your tea and choke on your crumpets, you will be
Big Caribou Days Celebration 2014 Read More »
Haines Junctions’ Baker Goes Old School
When Dave Thompson found out Boyd Campbell was selling Haines Junction’s Village Bakery and Deli at the end of last summer, Thompson didn’t immediately jump
Haines Junctions’ Baker Goes Old School Read More »
Changing Norms
In one of the many Rhianna songs to get major radio play, the pop star sings: “[you’re] just gonna stand there and watch me burn,
Hard Work with a Sweet, Sweet Payoff
It took a five hour drive down the Klondike Highway, a 14 km uphill hike, four small breakdowns and three bleeding blisters, but when the
Hard Work with a Sweet, Sweet Payoff Read More »
I Lived to tell the Tale
April 19, 2013 was a beautiful sunny day. I got out of bed and cooked eggs and ham for breakfast. I packed my hunting gear, two
I Lived to tell the Tale Read More »
Full Boar 2014
Katie Munroe and Colin Urquhart grew up in New Brunswick. Munroe’s family threw a big community party every spring — there’d be a whole roasted
Caribou Boots & Banana Bread
Since moving to Old Crow more than four decades ago Elizabeth (Liz) Kaye has kept a busy and active lifestyle in the community,
Caribou Boots & Banana Bread Read More »
Heart and Soul
Soul music calls to Jimmy Rabbitte, an Irish lad living in Dublin in the mid-1980s, and it’s telling him to put together a local band.
Delicate, but Determined
How does a plant know when it’s time to break the surface, to move from its protected subterranean world and reach skyward? If it gets
Delicate, but Determined Read More »
An Epic Ski Day
My first day on Mount Sima — Sunday, January 12 — was so epic. The beautiful landscape, all dressed up in snow, looked like a
Dads Can Be Moms, Too
My name is Jay and I’m a stay at home dad. It wasn’t always this way. A few months ago my wife and I were
Dads Can Be Moms, Too Read More »
Harnessing Your Chi
The ancient martial arts and those who master them are often praised for their speed, power, and feats of incredible strength. Most people will likely
Harnessing Your Chi Read More »
Competing in the Yukon is a Rare Treat; With Cookies
You know you’ve been away from the Yukon for too long when you get off the plane and -15°C feels cold. But I welcomed the
Competing in the Yukon is a Rare Treat; With Cookies Read More »
How to Avoid Pitfalls When Hiring a Contractor
So you just bought a new place, and you didn’t pay too much attention during shop class, so you hire a contractor to do some
How to Avoid Pitfalls When Hiring a Contractor Read More »
Burning Garbage, Outrageous Mullets
The wafting smell of burning garbage drifted through the hotel entrance in Latvia; stray cats roamed the streets. From my window I could watch them
Burning Garbage, Outrageous Mullets Read More »
Hooked on Hand-Dyeing
Baby alpaca and baby camel grow some very nice wool that can be sheared off and spun into beautifully soft balls of yarn. Skeins of yarn,
Hooked on Hand-Dyeing Read More »
Triple Threat
With three noticeable talents, namely photography, singing, and fashion design, Emma Blair is exceptional – and not afraid to be loud and proud about her
Family, Change, and Acceptance
Torontonian Clinton Walker has flown into the Yukon to direct another play at The Guild Hall. The new production The Book of Esther, by Leanna
Family, Change, and Acceptance Read More »
Bringing Girls into the Realm of Science
This month, 20 girls from around Whitehorse will be starting a new, scientific adventure — exploring health and the body in a fun and innovative
Bringing Girls into the Realm of Science Read More »
Aiming for Sochi, Hoping for Italy
For the majority of skiers, the trial races are the most important of the year. For a few, they’re second only to the event that
Aiming for Sochi, Hoping for Italy Read More »
A Night of Romance
Young or old, you can see it in the dancers’ eyes – the mood is one of romance. It is one of the finest date
A Night of Romance Read More »
Filling the Frostbite Void
For 35 years the Frostbite Music Festival has been bringing bands to Whitehorse to showcase new music to an appreciative audience. Year after year organizers chose
Filling the Frostbite Void Read More »
Christmas Vacation Procrastination
Christmas – when presents take precedence and work is cast under the bed and forgotten. Youth and adults alike put off assignments until the final
Christmas Vacation Procrastination Read More »
Care and Feeding of Your Skateboarder: It’s that time of year again
And the thaw continues. Its only mid-March, but the snow in Whitehorse is almost gone and the theme from the Twilight Zone goes through my
Care and Feeding of Your Skateboarder: It’s that time of year again Read More »
An Invitation to Experience the Thrill and the Grit
The mix of open-flowing creativity, with a dash of fear, makes for a high that’s addictive for theatre performers — and especially for playwrights who
An Invitation to Experience the Thrill and the Grit Read More »
For more exercise, try a hilly trail
This column is called Wheeler’s Walkabout and not Wheeler’s Hike, or Wheeler’s Trek for a reason: It is just a low-stress introduction to some excellent
For more exercise, try a hilly trail Read More »
Emergency Services Off the Beaten Track
In Whitehorse, the hospital is usually mere minutes away from most corners of the city. However, in the Yukon communities, residents don’t have that luxury.
Emergency Services Off the Beaten Track Read More »
Homeward Bound
Rossland is a small ski town in British Columbia – or logging town, I’m not sure which prevails. I’ve raced here once before and it
Fiddle night at the 98 Hotel: The fiddle of Joe Loutchan rules
There is something about that lone fiddle playing in a room: The ambience, the mood, the emotions, all ride on its notes. There is something
Fiddle night at the 98 Hotel: The fiddle of Joe Loutchan rules Read More »
Fishead Stew is as Elusive as its Sound: Musical surprises at the Boiler Room
In 2005 Fishead Stew is back with bluegrass/swing/folk/what-have-you band. They broke up 4 or 5 times and keep coming back together
Fishead Stew is as Elusive as its Sound: Musical surprises at the Boiler Room Read More »
Fondue in the forest is a social event: Wolf’s Den Restaurant does it the European way
The fondue is one of the most social of meals. It requires the diner to wait between bites and, thus, has lots of opportunity to
Fondue in the forest is a social event: Wolf’s Den Restaurant does it the European way Read More »
A Hot Soak on a Cold Day
Whether it’s finding a way to get the kids out of the house when it’s -20°C, or letting tightened shoulders drop down from ear-level, the
A Hot Soak on a Cold Day Read More »
Homegrown Hoedown: The Christmas craft fair season is upon us
The stories are as varied as the goods for sale. Yukon has a lot of crafty and artistic people, and this is the time of
Homegrown Hoedown: The Christmas craft fair season is upon us Read More »
An Adrenaline Kick-Start to the Season
It’s beginning to look a lot like winter, and the fresh blanket of snow in town must mean fresh snow for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.
An Adrenaline Kick-Start to the Season Read More »
From Prairie to Polar: A Saskatchewan-born family moves north
3:30 a.m., January 5th, 2013 I’m running around the house trying to sedate a cat. Of all our family members, she is the most unwilling
From Prairie to Polar: A Saskatchewan-born family moves north Read More »
An Introduction to Reflexology
Making an appointment to go have some reflexology done is a new concept to lots of Yukoners, but it’s actually a very old healing practice.
An Introduction to Reflexology Read More »
50 Ways to Leave Your Sugar
We have all been struck with a case of the sugar blues — nagged by those treats hiding in the kitchen or next to the
50 Ways to Leave Your Sugar Read More »
The Story of the Château Jomini
Château is the French word for castle, a word that evokes images of tall stone towers, wooden drawbridges, the European countryside, and maybe even brave
The Story of the Château Jomini Read More »
A Visit with Canada’s Art Darling
She’s taller than I remember. I have an impish image of Shary Boyle stuck in my mind – a gawky figure hunched over with devious
A Visit with Canada’s Art Darling Read More »
A Backward Glance Down Memory Road
Once upon a time in the Northland the river was the road, the wheels were paddles and time stretched long. They were called “the good
A Backward Glance Down Memory Road Read More »
Hot and Bothered
A new art exhibit in Vancouver is reaching for the hot, funny, and healthy part of native sexuality, and Tlingit artists from the Yukon and
A Conversation with Astrid Zoer: Local Psychic, Barber and Author
You might know Astrid Zoer from Hendrik’s Barber Shop in Whitehorse, or as the psychic medium at Lifepath Readings, but she recently added “author” to
A Conversation with Astrid Zoer: Local Psychic, Barber and Author Read More »
How to Face Fear and Become Part of a Community Art Project
I can’t paint. If there was a dictionary listing for “can’t paint” there would be a picture of me. Or perhaps it would be “Don’t
How to Face Fear and Become Part of a Community Art Project Read More »
Foot in Mouth: Remembering Bishop Stringer
If a close ancestor was famous for eating their boots, chances are you’d be interested to know the circumstances. Was he force-fed? Was it a
Foot in Mouth: Remembering Bishop Stringer Read More »
A Family Who Plays Together, Stays Together
Pack up the seniors, the toddlers and the teens because there are lots of free, Family Week events. A nation-wide celebration, Family Week runs Monday,
A Family Who Plays Together, Stays Together Read More »
French Toast: Taking the Blame Off the Victim
Les Essentielles, the Yukon’s Francophone women’s organization, is proud to have a new male asset on their team. Scott Carlson is the project coordinator for
French Toast: Taking the Blame Off the Victim Read More »
Back to School in Haiti
As September chills the air, whether with excitement or dismay, kids in Whitehorse turn their attention towards the new school year. Half way across the
Back to School in Haiti Read More »
A Conversation With Colleen Murphy
If you are susceptible to the perception that we are a country of people who play it safe; Colleen Murphy is the kind of person
A Conversation With Colleen Murphy Read More »
Connecting to Art: Lawrie Crawford exhibits new abstracts at Gallery 22
There’s a new artist in town. She’s opened her second exhibit in Whitehorse, Connecting Space, to showcase her newest display of large and colourful works
Connecting to Art: Lawrie Crawford exhibits new abstracts at Gallery 22 Read More »