Northern Food Fusion: Arctic Char Harvest
I can still smell the smoked fish on my jean jacket and I smile. It means I have been home to the Northwest Territories. At […]
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A Passion for Preserving
If you love the gentle pop-pop-popping of a jar lid, you might just be a home canner. For Michelle Christensen-Toews, it’s one of the many
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A Memorable Night in a Red Caboose in the Forest
Choo-choo-choosing to camp in an old red caboose in the middle of the largest national forest in the United States was certainly very wet, but
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Whatever the season, hypothermia can be dangerous
It may come as a surprise, but more people are affected by, and die from, hypothermia in summer and other seasons than in the winter.
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It Is Not That I Hunt, But That I Go Hunting
Last week I met a husband and wife in a local grocery store. The kind lady said she liked my columns on kayaking and the
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Heed the Lore When You’re on the Move
Until very recently, I had never heard the expression “hitchhiker’s thumb”. Oh sure, there was that weird guy in Grade 9 named Pete Moss, who
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Colours of Autumn
Fall is the favourite season of many Yukoners. Avid photographer and outdoors person Jozien Keijzer provided this gallery of early-autumn scenes captured in various locations
Haska-What Now?
Raspberries, blueberries, crowberries and cranberries: being on Yukon time means planning your weekends around where to pick once the – dare I say it? –
My Fresh Meat Trial
It’s been 20 years since I put on a pair of skates, so as I arrived at Elijah Smith Elementary School I was a little
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An Unkindness of Ravens
It is easy to laugh at the antics of ravens. They are quirky, curious and yes, funny. A well-known title they carry among First Nations
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Turn Your Eyes to the Skies
Yukoners – and others – who enjoy celestial pursuits may want to follow the stars to Kluane’s “Northern Nights” Dark Sky Festival at Kathleen Lake
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SOVA at 10
When talking about the location of the Yukon School of Visual Arts (Yukon SOVA) in Dawson City, two issues are often raised: What does the
The Week that Was…
Once summer arrived, along with consistent plus 25 temperatures, it was time to enjoy some swimming, hiking and generally the beautiful weather in Yukon. (In
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The Last, Loveliest Smile
I never took much notice of something as simple as the seasons until moving North. Pre-Yukon, I was rather unmoved by the monotonous blend of
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Thoughts of Hitchhiking Sometimes Follow Strange Trails
One of my favourite pastimes is exploring the origins and meanings of common English words and expressions. Our language is such a hodge-podge (dare one
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Congratulations SOVA!
Any discussion of the Yukon School of Visual Arts begins with a couple of questions: What is it? Why is it in Dawson? The first
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BonTon Butcherie & Charcuterie
When Shelby Jordan was looking to change her career, she came across an idea that piqued her interest. “I’ve always wanted to learn a trade.
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Shape it: Burpees
Burpees are not something that I used to include in my regular workouts at all. I probably would have never come to know this awesome
Third Time’s the Charm
Twice answered the call to cycle the Dempster Highway. She hasn’t succeeded quite yet, she’s ready to give the 740 km journey another go.
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Big City Girl Goes to the Midnight Sun
Diary of a Big City Girl’s experiences in the land of the midnight sun. Adventures from summer of 2017 in the Yukon.
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Getting Further, Going Lighter
Even from the isolation of our north of 60 towns, one is able to equip themselves without reaching onto internet shelving any more than necessary.
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Cohousing Communities
Cohousing is a concept that has been around for a long time, but in the Yukon it’s starting to gain interest as an alternative living
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Trinidad’s Carnival: Experience of a Lifetime!
Carnival is a massive street party that falls the week before Ash Wednesday, which is in late February/early March, and is observed annually in many
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Northern Food Fusion
lover of adventure & fine tastes – forager of the wild world. The life I live is close with nature, so is my diet. Spruce Tip Salmon Roe Caviar
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Yukon Search and Rescue: The Basics
Yukon Search and Rescue (YSAR) is a volunteer-run organisation that provides ground and water search and rescue support for the territory. Prior to 2014 each
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Breathing In, Breathing Out
I’ve been doing yoga since I was a kid, tagging along to my mum’s occasional classes. I started taking the practice seriously three years ago
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Glück Auf! A Mini-Mining Tour of Germany
I’m not a miner, but on a recent visit to Germany my friends took me on impromptu mining tours of their regions. First Clemens and
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Blessing of the Animals
At 10:30 a.m. on August 6, some members of the congregation at Whitehorse United Church had whiskers, a tail and four legs! This is because
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Vimy Ridge to Tuk
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a great victory for Canada, To our knowledge, Herbert Lawless was the only known Yukoner to fall in this battle.
On Market Day, Everything Old is New Again
The way some people talk, you’d think farmers’ markets were a recent invention by eco-conscious millennials spurred to action by reading a book about the
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Fermented, Stewed, Baked and Brewed!
While that cornbread didn’t end up in a gallery, it did inspire did inspire the food oriented event called The Ingestible Festival
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Get your Geek On!
This year’s cosplay contest will take place on August 26th as part of the third annual YukomiCon event, happening August 25th to 27th at the
So Good, So Try It
The Yukon Culinary Festival sounds like a good way to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. “The definition of Canadian cuisine that we use is local, seasonal,
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The Yukon is Great for Summer Travelling
Summer, with its long daylight hours, is a great time to travel around the Yukon. But you need to pay more attention to gusts of wind…
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Geek Get-Together
If you think Captain America’s corny and overrated, you’re in good company – with the likes of Thor, Spider-Man, and Nick Fury. They’re just three
There’s Always a Stack of Books Hidden Under Their Quilts
The Yukon Imagination Library — non-profit organization that gives free books to Yukon children from birth to age four — is turning 10 this year.
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Falling in love with the Yukon
Every week in the Yukon I fall more in love with this Northern magical place. This week was the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival.
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Interview with Anonymous
Got a juicy story that you’re just aching to tell the world, but you don’t want your fellow Yukoners knowing who leaked it? You’re in
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Jack ‘n Sack 3 of 4
Although I can’t absolutely verify the factual accuracy of the following “claim to fame,” if I’m not the only person who had the unique opportunity
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I Love the Smell of Perfume in the Morning
Those of us who relish a good outdoor music festival – especially of the grassrootsand-granola variety – have learned to endure any number of indignities
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Hiking Miles Canyon to Canyon City: A Landscape with a Past
The Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge, is a great launch point for half-day hikes like Miles Canyon, Chadburn Lake and Canyon City.
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Do the Berry
Cranberries are just one of many berries that you can add to regular recipes for some extra health benefits. But since we are in the
Five Years Later and Still Garlic A GoGo-ing
If Louis Gagnon has learned anything from five years of successfully running a food truck in the Yukon, it’s “Batten down the hatches!” Gagnon says
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Honey Bees and Yukoners: A love story
Etienne Tardif, gloved and clothed in white, his face behind a dark mesh veil, slowly lifts a tray from one of his stacked beehives. He’s
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New Ideas on What to do with Old Stuff
The recent closures of the Salvation Army and free stores at Raven Recycling and the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility have made it difficult to source
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Augusto! Children’s Festival the First of its Kind in the Yukon
“We are proud and excited to be founding the Yukon’s only dedicated art and music festival for children,” says Darlene Sillery, one of the five
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Ghost-Hunting in the Whitehorse Copperbelt
You wouldn’t think a person could go ghost hunting in the middle of the day in the middle of summer, but MacBride Museum offers six
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There’s No Escaping: Family Is as Family Does
As family reunions go, the event I attended in Ontario’s Georgian Bay district on a recent weekend was a fairly small-scale affair. At its peak,
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Fresh Fast Food
Culinary queen and DIY entrepreneur Katie Thom might be flying by the seat of her pants, but when she sets her mind on something, she
From the East to the Beautiful South
Keen on history? The Castle Wartburg in Wittenberg in Eastern Germany offers an opportunity to learn about the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther’s Reformation. The
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Hiking the Same Ol’ Trail
I never understood how people love to go camping at the same spot year after year, or walk the same trail over and over, canoe
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How Long Can You HIIT?
Want to do something this summer that you can brag to all your friends about? Its free, requires a small space and will improve your
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Don’t Cook Big Game Meats as You Would Domestic Meats
I got my real initiation in cooking wild meats when I first joined the Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club, in Ontario. We had about
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Moose Heart Tacos
The hidden trophy of any successful hunt – that should be hauled out of the woods and cherished like a beautiful hide or perfectly curled
Why I Love Little Birds
The view overlooking Bennett Lake, after summiting my first mountain, while accompanying a friend on his goat hunt, will stay with me forever. The noise
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The Dempster Highway: Past, Present & Future
There are two ways to Inuvik: either fly Air North, or drive the scenic route – the 735.5 km of the Dempster Highway. East of
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Jackie Chan Movies Don’t Count
Yukoners experience live Chinese martial arts performance. World renowned Shaolin Wushu Masters visit Whitehorse.
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Wild Edibles: From Curiosities to Staples
If you grew up with the convenience of grocery stores, basing your diet on foraged foods is a romantic but daunting idea to consider. Luckily,
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Heart Healthy Hot Dogs
Fried, boiled, barbecued or campfire roasted, there’s nothing more quintessentially “summer” than a classic hotdog, especially paired with white bun, French’s mustard, ketchup and relish.
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The Week That Was…
The week began with my English friend finally making it with her CanaDream Camper – a one-month, one-woman journey from Calgary to Whitehorse. For the
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Why You Should Be Carving your Hot Dogs
Hot dog carving is my latest passion project. This past weekend I became the general of my own army comprised of perfectly seared men and
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Too Curious George
He was a foundling on the streets of Edmonton – a golden cocker spaniel whose hair was so matted with burrs that much of it
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The (Mis)Adventures of A Puppy
In life there can be many instances one regrets. Such as accidentally sending a text to the wrong person, or throwing out an ill received
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Celebrating Sausages
The Germans are known by the nickname “The Krauts,” which comes from sauerkraut, a famous German dish comprised of fermented cabbage. Maybe Germans should be
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An Epic Weekend of Hiking
The saying in Yukon is you only truly experience the Yukon when you get out in the wilderness, and those words are accurate beyond belief.
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Grandpa’s Baseball Book – Part 4 of 4
It occurred to me while watching the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians with my grandchildren – their first World Series
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Every Dog Has Its Day, Apparently
It was a strange encounter that still has my brain abuzz. I was walking home from the grocery store in my current city of residence
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Girls Gone Wild(erness)
Martha Henderson didn’t expect to get one of the six Young Nature Leadership Grants awarded by Nature Canada this year. “I’m a bit stressed honestly,”
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Ten glorious days of ‘PLAY BALL!’
Less than a week after Canada finally celebrates our 150th birthday, the top men’s softball (fastpitch) players in the country will be saddled with facing
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Big Fun at Little Atlin Lake
You don’t own a boat or a canoe? No problem – Little Atlin Lodge is one of the very rare locations in the Yukon where
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Fireweed Jelly
Fireweed Jelly Yield: approximately 15 x 125 ml jars Ingredients: 8 cups fireweed blossoms (no stems or leaves) ¼ cup lemon juice 4 ½ cups
Those Were the Days. They Still Are
The emptying-out of Yukon’s schools signals the official start of that much-anticipated annual ritual: the Summer Holiday. We all know the narrative arc of that
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Giving Everyone a Chance to Shine
Getting a medal isn’t the point. “We’re there to have fun,” says Gaetan, captain of Yukon’s Special Olympics soccer team. “doing your best.”
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Healing through Massage
A keen interest in psychology, bodywork and holistic health and wellness: Discovering the profound benefits of massage therapy.
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Chipped and Faded, but a Transport of Delight
Recently, I waxed nostalgic about my beloved first bicycle, a cherry-red Raleigh three-speed that went missing (temporarily, I still insist) on an August day in
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What Do You Have to Do to Eat Local?
The benefits of eating local are well known and documented; it’s better for the environment, it’s better for your health, and it’s better for the
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A Year of Firsts for Yukon River Quest
At this year’s Yukon River Quest, stand up paddleboarders will be competing for prize money for the first time. The 2016 race introduced the stand
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Grandpa’s Baseball Book – Part 3 of 4
The kids needed “Baseball 101” It was my duty, as a retired sportswriter, to author it, a kiddie book about baseball(work in progress)
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Jack ‘n Sack 2 of 4
I knew on the Saturday morning warm up on the driving range I was in for a unique caddying experience. This was the days of
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Orchids In and Around Whitehorse
The calypso orchid, sometimes called the fairy or venus slipper, was already blooming by the end of May and the rest will follow soon. I
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Salmon: Another Dijon Delight
Fire up the barbecue, here’s another never-fail salmon recipe. Salmon: Another Dijon Delight Ingredients: ¼ to ⅓ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp of your favourite Dijon
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Fish Chowder
When out on a day’s fishing and you don’t catch one of those big clunkers, don’t be dismayed. You can make a great chowder with
Already Six Weeks
Forty-five days ago, I placed my feet on Canadian soil, with the goal of changing my life completely. Things are going pretty well!
It was Red, and Shiny, and Wonderful
Did I just miss skipping and hopscotch season? Marbles and jacks? No matter. For me, this is, and always will be, bicycle season. I don’t
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Who knit you?
In 2015 my husband, Roger, and I visited Newfoundland; we rented a vehicle and hit the road. The breathtaking western shore drive took us through
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
The history of how we move is full of wild and wondrous stories about survival, romance, perseverance and everyday life. It’s also a great lens
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Experiencing Theatre in Namibia
It’s 15 minutes before our performance starts and one of my actors has a meltdown. “No, I am not gonna play,” he says avoiding eye
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Get Your Motor Running (For a Good Cause)
It’s impossible to ignore 200 motorcycles ripping down the road. That’s kind of the point, says Sean Secord, board member of the Yukon chapter of
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Communication is the Key
I wanted to make people communicate better – with me and with each other. I didn’t see myself as the problem here.
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O – Delicious Oishi Sushi
Oishi Sushi is a small lunch counter located on the second floor above Shoppers Drug Mart on Main Street. It’s truly a hidden gem. Oishi
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Grandpa’s Baseball Book – Part 2 of 4
These kids needed “Baseball 101” before their 2nd World Series. It was my duty, as a 70-year-old retired sportswriter, to author it for them.
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Salmon on a Stick
This shish kabob recipe works well, but be gentle as rough handling will cause the cooked fish pieces to break and fall off the skewer.
Tee Time in the Town of Faro, Yukon
For the first Faro Golf Tournament “we drew circles on the soccer field to serve as holes,” The Faro Golf Club incorporated in 2001.
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Come as You Are
Don’t wait for your invitation in the mail – Yukon Pride isn’t an exclusive event. “I think sometimes that some of our straight allies, they
Camping Etiquette
Winter has released his icy grip on the Yukon, and that brings my favorite season: camping season. In early May I along with several friends
A Rag-Tag Team of Do-Gooders
The Marvel Cinematic Universe strikes again with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, released April 19. Written and Directed by James Gunn with an additional
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Dreamtime, Bourbon Time
I’ve always loved the stories where people slip out of the present and into a different time; kid’s stories like Tom’s Midnight Garden, or the
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Intense Com-paw-tition
Yukon is home to a class of athletes that are the first of their kind in Canada. You might not know it, but you’ve probably
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Fellow retirees: How engaged do you feel?
I’m sitting in my skivvies, contemplating what pearls of wisdom to cram into a 400-word space. As I advise my writing students, when you feel
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Dare to Reuse & Repair?
The need for opportunities to reuse and repair have become more important than ever before, and Zero Waste Yukon…
Dare to Reuse & Repair? Read More »