This is a joint news release with the Yukon Soaps Company
Today, the owner and operator of the Yukon Soaps Company, Joella Hogan, held a grand opening of the company’s new building in Mayo. The Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai attended the celebration in downtown Mayo near the Stewart River.
The new building contains a two-story, 2,000 square foot studio and three rental homes for Yukoners, two of which are designated affordable units. It was designed by Alanna Quock of Regenerative Design and built by Van Fleet Construction, both Indigenous-owned companies.
The new space has been named “Raven’s Landing” to honour Hogan’s clan and to symbolize the place where people gather, rest and create. The location was carefully chosen to reclaim space along the river where indigenous people gathered in the past. Each suite offers all of the amenities a person would need at an affordable rate. The workshop suite will provide Yukon Soaps Company the space needed to meet the increasing demand for its handcrafted soaps as well as provide aspiring entrepreneurs a place to work.
The Yukon Soaps Company was the recipient of $160,000 from the Yukon government’s Housing Initiatives Fund in 2020–21. The Yukon Soaps Company also received about $16,000 from the Department of Economic Development to support the development of their business as they broaden their market reach.
The Yukon Soaps Company has become a strong community pillar and continues to offer Yukoners high-quality products made right here in the territory. This new building will now help people in Mayo have access to more affordable housing, additional employment opportunities and a space to come together to celebrate their traditions. I applaud Joella for her strength and perseverance in creating such a positive anchor for her community.
I strongly believe that when Indigenous peoples own and operate businesses, not only do they empower the individual but also the community they represent. I am thrilled that my dream of creating a space for my business to grow and community members to thrive has finally become a reality.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
[email protected]
Shannon Ryan
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-335-7404
[email protected]
Damian Topps
Communications, Department of Economic Development
867-667-5378
[email protected]
Joella Hogan
The Yukon Soaps Company
867-334-5131
yukonsoaps.com