Sebastien Weisser considers himself a fortunate man. When his snowmobile broke down in a remote location on the Top of the World highway near Dawson […]
Search and Rescue Association: a fine-tuned operation Read More »
Not many people know that an annual winter tradition in Dawson City started seven years ago as a joke. In 2006, Bombay Peggy’s, a popular
Friday Nights are Bombay Nights in Dawson City Read More »
There’s a coyote on the airstrip at Braeburn today, trotting north on the cleared runway with his nose in the air and his tail like
Ghost stories are one kind of conversation that sticks with you, often in unexpected ways. There are so many stories about hauntings at the Palace
Ghost Stories Creep from Street to Street Read More »
“Think of our history as a smörgåsbord, upon which there is more than you can possibly eat,” says Michael Gates, author of the new book,
World of Words: History as a Smörgåsbord Read More »
Christmas is a time of open houses in Dawson City, but there is one open house that has a special quality, according to Eldo Enns,
Student art gets out from behind closed doors Read More »
The Klondike Sun, to which Berton was referring in his guest editorial in that first issue, has made it through its 21st year. Last issue,
About the Rising of the Sun Read More »
This is a story about the omnichord. It was manufactured by Suzuki as a toy version of an autoharp. It has a touch plate for
Taking the omnichord to the next level Read More »
Dogs really need to get out and check their messages on a daily basis, in the same way that we humans need to go to
Canine Communication and the P-Mail Network Read More »
On the day we met to discuss the 11th Dawson City International Short Film Festival, producer Dan Sokolowski was just finishing getting the 40-page program
Film Festival Goers will be Reeling On Easter Weekend Read More »
There are strange things done on the Percy run when the mushers hit the trail. There are tales that are told of the ice and
The Marvelous Tale of Musher McHugh Read More »
Next week (March 25 to 27), we’re going to have the second instalment of last year’s popular Doors Open Dawson event, in which locals and
Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs Read More »
The fox emerges tentatively from under the Waterfront Building, making a quick, furtive survey of his surroundings, and padding to the top of the dyke.
Yonder, a Flash of Red Read More »
Dawson’s council got to talking about bylaws and boardwalks the other day and one councillor made the comment that there didn’t seem to be any
Boardwalk Users Take the High Road Read More »
Plaque is the subject of this week’s visit to A Klondike Korner. I’ve visited this subject before, but another one of our buildings is due
When Plaque is a Good Thing Read More »
So the Outhouse Race is over and the last ball tournament of the season has played its final innings. Later today the Goldrush Campground, whose
Dawson Buttons Up for the Coming Winter Read More »
Iremember the steamboats, the old man said. I remember them coming in spring. I remember the paddlewheels churning the water and bringing us many good
The land has its own agenda. Plants find purchase in the disturbed earth and overcome humanity’s intrusions. We are a hiccup in the breath of
When Our Signs Come Down Read More »
My experience in Dawson says we first snow before Thanksgiving. But there are exceptions. One memorable year we had snow early in September
Winter Snow Dropped Early this Year Read More »
There is no surer sign of the holiday season than the annual staging of The Nutcracker. The Northern Lights School of Dance is presenting the
Beloved Nutcracker Ballet draws audience into the seats … and onto the stage Read More »
Write about things that are going to happen about 10 days after you write them, the editor says. Oh, to be a Nostradamus at such
When will the Ferry Be In? Read More »
Dawson City has long been known for unique answers to its housing shortage, especially in the summer, when the place is flooded with summer people
The Odd Places Some People Live Read More »
There are many gravesites marked on the downhill side of Mary McLeod Road, but the only one with a beaten path to it belongs to
A Teller of Tall Tales Ended his Journey in Dawson City Read More »
Poetry à la Commode If you’re looking for good weekend sport then Dawson’s still holding the fort. Be real spiffy and bring your own biffy
When the Outhouses Get Running Read More »
While it’s rare to find a weekend in the Dawson summer when there’s not a major event, things do tend to slow down a bit
The New Faces of Dawson Read More »
Dawson City was founded on the glitter of gold and, so, it is no surprise that the yellow metal gets mentioned a great deal here.
All That Glitters in the Klondike Read More »
Reflect on Remembrance Day 2010. Understand its importance in Canada and the varying celebrations across provinces.
It was a plaintive little e-mail, familiar in both theme and tone. No, it wasn’t the weekly missive from the executor of some unfortunate Nigerian’s
A Simple Binary Equation: Snooze = Lose Read More »
Twice a year in Dawson City, lives are disrupted, homes are abandoned and the big question is, “What side will you be on?” Is Dawson
Choosing sides for the Klondike winter Read More »
BC Radio One has been running a survey to find out when people think it would be okay to play Christmas music, and a lot
Developing a Painless Pageant Read More »
I’m sitting in my trailer in Whitehorse as I type these words, but I can almost hear Buckwheat Donahue hoowwlliingg with delight all the way
A Celebration of Northern Words Read More »
After my very first kickboxing class, I realized two things. One, don’t eat a big meal beforehand, and two, even if you think you’re in
Hmmm: Just how many bruises are normal? Read More »
At the last of the Transients’ Weekly Suppers this year, one of the special speakers at the event made reference to the Commissioner’s Residence and
Afternoon and Evening Delight on Commissioner’s Day Read More »
Gold Show weekend in Dawson City. The town teems with things to do, businesses starting up for the busy tourist season and fresh young faces
Artrepreneur: Partially Buried in Spring-Sprouting Dawson Read More »
Back in Column #2 of this series, I promised you a couple of moving stories about Dawson buildings. My last column should certainly have made
When the Fire Hall Got Hauled Read More »
There are lots of people in Dawson who couldn’t give you street directions to save their lives. Part of the confusion is the problem with
Where Did You Say That Was Read More »
The departure of yet another Berton House writer, Jeanne Randolph, brought to my mind the number of writers in residence who have come and gone
They Keep Coming Back Read More »
Watching visitors to town wander about taking pictures of things that seem quite ordinary to those of us who live here is a reminder that
Early Adventures in Yukon Tourism Read More »
Percy deWolfe, known as the Iron Man Mail Carrier, faced many unpredictable moments during his 38 years (1910-1949) on the trail between Dawson and Eagle.
Remembering the Iron Man Read More »
It seems only fair to warn strangers to the fair metropolis of Dawson City that there are certain hours of the day when it would
When the Whistle Blows Read More »
Many Yukoners live here because they enjoy the active lifestyle, interaction with wilderness, and distance from ties and pencil skirts. A visiting author from the
They’re getting down and dirty in Dawson City – dirty actions of the gardening kind, that is. Dawson City Community Gardens, now in its third
Down and dirty in Dawson Read More »
Now that the snow is completely gone, it’s a little bit depressing to see how much garbage it was hiding. We had begun to notice
Cleaning up in the Klondike Read More »
There is excitement in the air, at least for those of us living on the west side of the Yukon River in Dawson City. Freeze-up
Flash freeze-up: Speculation and rumours Read More »
“You’re in one of the slides in this presentation,” they told me. This came as a surprise, since it is generally my lot in life
The Mystery of the Four Coffins Explained Read More »
In the afternoon glare of October elongated shadows stretch north across the town,reaching for winter.
As we get closer to the time when Dawson sees an influx of summer workers, I thought I would take this week to reflect on
Remembering Tent City Read More »
I haven’t seen a Yukon Quest or Arctic Ultra race start in seven years now because, along with my husband Mike, I’m usually deep in
World of Words: Concierge at a wilderness dog camp Read More »
In Dawson we usually get 24-hours notice before the George Black ferry gets pulled for the winter. That’s time enough for one last big haul
The Artful Orchestration of Ferry Extraction Read More »
How can one person transform herself into many people? How can one location turn into several without changing a thing? Go and see Café Daughter and you’ll
I discovered Google Earth a few years ago. Our son was spending the winter in Fort Nelson and we figured out that Google Earth would
A Dawson Virtual Tour Read More »
The first Youth Art Enrichment (YAC) week in Dawson City was inspired in the early years of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC)
Art Enrichment Time Read More »
While doing what I call my Berton House exit interview with Sara Tilley, the latest writer-in-residence, she remarked that one of the things that made
Dawson and the Ted Harrison Effect Read More »
Discover the quirks of winter in Dawson City, including snow loads that can surprise car owners every season.
Klondike Korner: Look Out Below! Read More »
On December 15, the Yukon School of Visual Art Dawson City campus will open its doors to the public for its annual Christmas open house
An Art of Their Own Read More »
What would you say if someone handed you a video camera and asked you to produce, cast, direct, shoot and edit a film in two
Be your own director Read More »
When James Domville Richards joined the Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon became blessed with one of its most endearing characters. The quiet, reserved man –
Looking Back: The woodcutter’s tale Read More »
Publishing timelines sometimes just don’t mesh with reality. Ten days ago I could have written three of these advance-notice style columns about the crowded schedule
Memories of Life in Dawson Read More »
Contemplating moving from Toronto to Dawson, I thought a lot about what I’d be giving up. I didn’t anticipate all the “firsts”
Every now and then, a figure emerges out of the shadows of history with so much success and so many adventures that you swear they
Looking Back: The most interesting man in the world Read More »
Dawson City is famous for the Dawson City Music Festival, which covers a long weekend in July. However, if that’s all we had happening here,
Musical Months in Dawson Read More »
Sunday, October 16. I arrived at the Scotch Club late. The meeting started at 4 p.m. and I had missed the formal introductions. Two friends
Tasting Dawson’s High Society Read More »
How did a little blue daycare put Dawson City on the map for early childhood education? By an employee winning the Prime Minister’s Award for
The Little Blue Daycare That Could Read More »
Full disclosure: one of the most treasured albums in my vinyl collection is the 1962 Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd classic, Jazz Samba. Fuller disclosure:
As the summer winds down here in Dawson, and with no special occasion on the horizon, this week seemed a good time to sum up
Ribbons and Scissors Read More »
Think big. That’s what Dawson City residents were invited to do this fall as they participated in yet another round of consultations for a new
Klondike’s Lost Recreation Gold Read More »
One of the last big weekends of this Dawson City summer will be built around an RCMP Regimental Ball, to be held here on August
Remembering the Lost Patrol Read More »
While we are on the cusp of a new gold rush in the Klondike, an era of exploration that is seeing a gradual shift from
A Close Look at the Klondike’s Frozen Gold Read More »
Sawdust, grass and gravel are flying, there is painting to be done, tidying and dusting—the rural museums around the territory are gearing for the tourist
Visitors Countdown Read More »
One hundred years ago, the Yukon’s First Lady, Martha Louise Black, set about making a statement with her gardens. Black moved into the Commissioner’s Residence
First Lady of Northern Gardening Read More »
It will have been obvious from my last column that I was truly expecting breakup to have occurred before I got around to writing the
A Look at Dawson’s Dike Read More »
Just had a call from the folks at the Community Gospel Hall to tell us that there were 90 people at this week’s edition of
Feeding Bodies, Hearts and Minds Read More »
Several months ago I was asked by my friend Wendy in Dawson City to plan a wine tasting at her B&B, Bombay Peggy’s. We’ll be
Planning a Wine Tasting Read More »
The last of the monthly winter coffee house and open mic nights at the Odd Fellows Hall ballroom occurred on May 5. They are a
Making Music in the Ballroom Read More »
You might not expect to have to worry too much about falling snow in the Klondike in April. After all, this is not Alberta, where
Sherry MacDonald, the newest writer-in-residence at Dawson City’s Berton House, has a place secured in heaven. “There’s a special place in heaven for single moms
Playwright Sherry MacDonald shares her secrets to the creative process Read More »
“Gee, but it’s great to be back home” – Paul Simon Waiting for my wife’s plane to land at the airport this afternoon I was
Be It Ever So Wintry, There’s No Place Like Home Read More »
Get myself ready for the October edition of the monthly Coffee House/Open Mic evening in the Oddfellows Hall ballroom.
Music Fills the Klondike this Fall Read More »
Find out how Dawson City recycling initiatives are supported by passionate residents committed to environmental health.
Getting Down with the Trash Read More »
It’s hard to think of an icy road as being anything but dangerous, but that’s not always the case. In Dawson City it can go
Driving Depends on Icy Conditions Read More »
Thaw di Gras (sometimes misspelled Thaw di Graw, especially in Manitoba) is the peculiar name Dawson City gives its spring carnival. The event will be
What is Thaw di Gras, Anyway? Read More »
It was inevitable, considering the sheer volume and variety of people who joined the Klondike Gold Rush, that a few people with connections to the
Looking Back: Fickle Fortune Read More »
It’s the 19th year for Trek Over the Top, and the second year the Klondike Visitors Association (KVA) has the Yukon side of the operation
The Trek Celebrates Year 19 Read More »
It’s a band in transition – in more ways than one. When Gordie Tentrees sent an e-mail promoting a northern tour by some friends he
Life in the Van Lane Read More »
The Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City is going on the road. Students and faculty will arrive in Whitehorse next week to
Transparency Theory Read More »
The Klondike Gold Rush brought people from all over North America and the world to Dawson City. It should be no surprise then, that among
Looking Back: House of Life Read More »
Our dog, Shadow, is outside this afternoon and has been for about half an hour. The sun has reached the point where it actually shines
Sunshine and Shadow in the Winter Read More »
Today was one of those overcast days when the sun didn’t break through and all we got was indirect lighting. When this happens I can’t
A Fortnight in the Freezer Read More »
As I stand behind the counter of the Dawson City Visitor Information Centre, I look at the eight people sitting in a semicircle around me.
Checkpoint checklist Read More »
On Christmas Eve, 1900, the Monte Carlo Saloon in Dawson City was the place to be. Men from all over the world crowded the dancehall,
Looking Back: When Johnny met Kate Read More »
Quick! Off the top of your head, how many world-famous geologists can you name? None? We can fix that. There is at least one you
Looking Back: Hercules of the North Read More »
welcome to a new year of news and musing from the Klondike, where the most descriptive word for the several weeks seems to be “snow”.
Lots of Snow in the Klondike Read More »
On the day before the 13th Annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF) schedule was released, I joined festival producer, Dan Sokolowski, in his
Short Sightings, Wide Views Read More »
“Like all famous sons, Pierre Berton sometimes gets a mixed reception in his home town, but you’d never have known it to hear the spontaneous
The Origins of Berton House: Part 1 Read More »
When beloved members of a community pass away, thoughts about how to commemorate their lives begin to be tossed around. Sometimes a bench is adorned
Keeping Their Music Playing Read More »
As we close in on Easter Weekend, otherwise known locally as the Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF), I have to wonder if Dawson’s
By taking her fiddle class online, one fiddle instructor is changing the music education community the in the north. Zavallennahh Huscroft (formorly known as Zav
“We had a vision in the fall, last year, of building an outdoor classroom at Robert Service School,” Hän Language teacher Melissa Hawkins explained to
A Vision Becomes a Reality at the Gathering Place Read More »
The discovery of long-buried human remains in Dawson City two years ago shone a public spotlight on a little-known chapter in Yukon history. The four
Conflicting Concepts of Justice Read More »
Doris Roberts hates to fly, but when it came time to go to Tanacross, Alaska, to retrieve the songs and stories that Chief Isaac had
Saving a Language and a Culture Read More »
