Commemorating Yukon 125
On June 13, 2023, we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Yukon becoming a territory of Canada.
As we mark this milestone, we are looking to our past as well as to our future. This is a time to look back on the long history of this land and think about the territory we want to build for our children.
The public service is planning several initiatives to commemorate this important date.
Final recipients of Yukon 125 anniversary medals
The Government of Yukon presents the final commemorative medals to exceptional Yukoners in celebration of the Yukon’s 125th anniversary.
The recipients were nominated for displaying values of leadership and reconciliation and contributed significantly to the wellbeing of the territory.
An open house reception celebrating medal recipients will be held at the Jim Smith Building on Saturday, November 16, from 2 to 4 pm.
The final recipients of the Yukon 125 medals are:
- Rod Adams
- Charlene Alexander
- Tom Amson
- Doris Anderson
- Larry Bagnell
- Dahria Beatty
- Michelle Beaulieu
- Dr. Michael Bendall
- Doris Bill
- Robin Bradasch
- Tim Brady
- Gary Bremner and Breanne Bremner
- Lance Burton
- Dan Bushnell
- Keith Byram
- Kyra Chambers
- Dr. Huy Chau
- Ione Christensen
- Dr. Kenneth Coates
- Margaret Commodore
- Shanon Cooper
- Lindsay Cornell
- Harris Cox
- Ivan Coyote
- Dylan Cozens
- Kristina Craig
- Ashley Cummings
- Patricia Cunning
- Dan Curtis
- Margaret (Peggy) D'Orsay
- Dakali (Hammond Dick)
- Sharon Davis
- Jud Deuling
- Kim Diamond
- Albert Drapeau
- Karen Dubois
- Stephen Dunbar-Edge and Rob Dunbar-Edge
- Trevor Ellis
- Michel Emery
- Marj Eschak
- Vince Fedoroff
- Sophia Flather
- Michelle Friesen
- Cyriac George
- Lawvanya Govindaraj
- Raman Grewal
- Steven Hahn
- Elizabeth (Liz) Hanson
- Gaye Hanson
- Joella Hogan
- Patrick Jackson
- Beverly James
- Colleen James
- Muhammad Javed
- Doug Jim
- Pat Joe
- Linda Johnson
- Peter Johnston
- Rick Karp
- Denny Kobayashi
- Michelle Kolla
- Brandon Kyikavichik
- Karen Lang
- Martin Lawrie
- Anne Leckie
- Lilou Lefebvre
- Joanne Lewis
- Judy Lightening
- Leonard Linklater
- Jane Londero
- Murray Lundberg
- Frank Lutz
- Grant Macdonald, Q.C.
- Paul MacDonald
- Gerd Mannsperger
- Piers McDonald
- Gavin McKenna
- Audrey McLaughlin
- Cheryl McLean
- Georgette McLeod
- Liard McMillan
- Patrick Michael
- Joe Migwans
- Renee Mills
- Stephen J. Mills
- Kelly Milner
- Janet Moodie
- Gina Nagano
- Claire Ness
- Olive Passmore
- Mike Pemberton
- Tony Penikett
- Albert Peter
- Matsʼäsä̀na Mą Primozic
- Ann Maje Raider
- Lewis Rifkind
- Donald Roberts
- Ron Rousseau
- Dr. Shelagh Rowles
- Deb Ryan
- Annaka Sarek
- Sonjaa Schmidt
- Dr. Said Secerbegovic
- Sharon Shorty
- Krystle Silverfox
- Dr. Katharine Smart
- Jerry Soltani
- Tosh Southwick and Davida Wood
- Joe Sparling
- Gordon Steele
- Rudolf Sudrich
- Maura Sullivan
- Janna Swales
- Anne Tayler
- Frances Taylor
- Natalie Taylor
- Sarah Usher
- John Van Den Bogaard
- Sid van der Meer Sr.
- Blake Vandecamp
- Carol Vanderbyl
- Adeline Webber
- William (Bill) Webber
- Kirsty Wells
- Anya Zimmerman
These recipients come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, such as public service, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, the arts and environmental stewardship. More information about these impressive Yukoners is included in the Backgrounder.
The medals feature original artwork by Carcross/Tagish First Nation artist Violet Gatensby. The artwork, Resilient Hearts/Insightful Vision, was designed to celebrate Yukoners who have demonstrated strong foresight and work ethic to foster a future where all generations can heal and thrive.
Yukon 125 Prize advances to Stage 2
The 125 Prize is a special one-time fund of $250,000 to mark the Yukon’s 125th Anniversary.
This fall, the 125 Prize is moving forward with a shortlist of 10 contestants. They have created video proposals to introduce their extraordinary Yukon-based projects.
There will be 3 to 5 finalists who will receive up to $125,000 to cement their legacy in Yukon history with their bold and unique projects.
Check out the Yukon 125 Prize videos now.
Yukon 125 Prize recipients announced
The Kluane Compositions
Inspired by Kluane landscapes and Indigenous culture, a hybrid, three-movement music composition featuring Southern Tutchone Indigenous, MOR and classical music styles is to be created. A grand piano will be helicoptered into Kluane National Park to be featured in the compositions' 10-minute music video.
Lead: Matthew Lien
Team members: Diyet van Lieshout, Katherine McCallum, Kirsti Wallace, Melvin Lagersson
Instagram – @matthew_lien_music
It’s Weird Up Here: A celebration of small achievements
Through archival deep-dives, micro-film hunts, museum visits and interviews with seasoned Yukoners, stories will be shared that may not have made front-page news, but should have. Think of the project as a yearbook Frankensteined together with a Pierre Berton anthology.
Lead: Tedd Tucker and Amy Kenny
Team member: Rae Mombourquette
Yukon Alpine Climbing – First Ascent
A climbing team will attempt to perform the first ascent of an alpine rock route "Radelet Arete" in southern Yukon. If successful, a safe, high-quality alpine rock climb will be established for Yukoners and visitors to enjoy.
Lead: John Serjeantson
Team members: Zach Clanton and Rob Cohen
The Yukon 125 Prize recipients with the Minister of Tourism and Culture, John Streicker
Celebrate with Yukon 125 funding
Yukon 125 Fund
The Yukon 125 Fund commemorates the anniversary of the Yukon becoming a territory, and honour the Yukon's communities, heritage and culture.
Applicants are eligible for up to $7,500, and projects must take place between June 1 and October 31, 2023.
Learn more about the fund.
Special sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly
On June 13, the Government of Yukon commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Yukon becoming a territory of Canada by holding a special sitting of the legislature in Dawson.
Members of the legislative assembly met at the territory’s historic capital to mark this important milestone. The sitting was hosted at the Old Territorial Administration Building, 595 Fifth Avenue, Dawson City, Yukon.
Coverage of Proceedings were broadcast on local radio and online.