The Contributions Of Yukon Francophone Women: With Angélique Bernard
Andrée (Jerome) North
Andrée (Jerome) North was born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1934.
She married Eric Sweeney in 1954 in Montreal. They had six children (one daughter and five sons). In 1962, the family headed west for a different lifestyle and to find work. They arrived in Faro, Yukon, in 1970, where Eric worked at the mine as an electrician. Andrée worked at Murdoch’s Gem Shop.
After her children finished school in Faro, Andrée moved to Whitehorse in 1976 where she worked as a bilingual secretary for the federal government.
In 1981, she married historian Richard (Dick) North. Andrée was part of a group that founded the Jack London Museum in Dawson. She had excellent organizational skills and helped Dick with identifying and filing his documents.
Andrée was part of the small number of people who founded the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) at a time when the organization did not have a building. She was the executive director of AFY in 1986 and 1987.
She was happy, generous, optimistic and authentic. She was always smiling and was proud of her francophone roots. She liked to take part in francophone activities, including card games and bingos, as well as swimming and reading. She loved to get together with people.
In the Yukon, Andrée found liberty and an untouched nature. She would often say, “Everything is so big here. It’s so clear and you know that it is beautiful and good!”
Andrée North died in Whitehorse on Oct. 14, 2023, at the age of 89.
Antoinette (Lessard) Poulin
Antoinette (Lessard) Poulin was born in 1933 in Saint-Cosme-de-Beauce, in Quebec.
She married her husband Bruno in 1954 and the couple arrived in Whitehorse in 1957. Also known as Toni, she was not afraid of hard work, especially on the gold claims that she managed with her husband in southern Yukon. She carried out her tasks with a big smile and kind words for everyone.
When Antoinette was a cleaner in schools in the ’70s and ’80s, she risked losing her job, as unions were now requiring certifications that she did not possess. Instead of ending up with no work, she decided to become a heating-system operator, and she also received a certificate to operate heavy equipment, a recognition of which she was proud.
Courageous and cheerful, Antoinette knew how to live with confidence and great wisdom. As she was welcoming and generous, she received a lot of francophones into her home. Every instant represented a moment of joy. She filled her days with walks, accompanied by friends. She took part in activities from the Catholic francophone community. Her eyes filled up with happiness when children hugged her.
In her later years, Antoinette spent her summers in Beaver Creek, helping her daughter Carmen to manage Buckshot Betty’s Restaurant & Rooms. A model of a strong Yukon francophone woman, Antoinette stopped at nothing, had an exceptional strength of character and was always present for her family.
Antoinette Poulin died in Whitehorse on June 28, 2023, at the age of 9
Renée (Gilly) Alford
Renée (Gilly) Alford was born in 1924 in Paris, France.
During a trip to the Alps, she met Monty Alford from England. It was love at first sight. They were married in New Brunswick and arrived in the Yukon in 1951.
Renée started her community involvement through the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish and took part in the revision of the Education Act for Catholic education, in the early ’60s and late ’80s.
When the instruction of French, as a second language, to government employees became available with the development of the French Language Centre, in 1975, Renée was offered the position of instructor. She retired from that position in 1988.
She advocated for many social service programs. She cofounded Yukon Family Services (later known as Many Rivers) in the late ’60s. She served as president of the Federation of Home and School Associations of the Yukon, at a time when the importance of bilingualism was rising nationally, giving presentations in schools and to parents regarding the development of a French immersion program. She was also instrumental in establishing the Teen Parent Centre, was involved in the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition and served on the Health and Social Services board into her ’80s.
In 1997, she received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Medal, for her many years of service in the community, and was known as an open-minded woman with exceptional listening skills, spirit and solidarity.
Renée Alford died in Whitehorse on May 7, 2024, just shy of her 100th birthday.
Thérèse (Leclair) Nantel
Thérèse (Leclair) Nantel was born in 1943 in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.
She arrived in Whitehorse in December 1969 with her husband Robert, who was working as a machinist at the Whitehorse Copper Mine.
Thérèse took on different jobs before working with francophone children. In 1989, she joined the team of the new francophone daycare, La Garderie du petit cheval blanc. She looked after the babies (6 to 18 months) until her retirement in 2007. She then worked part-time with her friend Céline Yergeau, at her family day home, until 2018.
She was known for her strong and steady presence with the children, as well as for her generosity, elegance, discretion and modesty. She was one of the pioneers in early childhood in the Yukon, highlighting the recognition of the work of daycare workers. She continued her professional development by taking courses and training sessions in the field. In 2004, she won the Education Award at the Gala de la francophonie.
Thérèse also contributed to the development of the Yukon francophone community through her involvement and volunteering. She was the secretary of the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY), typed the AFY’s newsletter that would later become l’Aurore boréale, and was part of the first team that organized the sugar shacks during the Yukon Rendezvous Festival.
Thérèse was an important pillar in francophone early childhood in the Yukon. Everyone who met her remembers her smile.
Thérèse Nantel died in Prince George, B.C., on June 28, 2020, at the age of 76.
