Recreation leaders from across the Yukon gathered in Carmacks from October 3 to 5, on the Traditional Territory of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, for the annual Recreation Gathering.
The Recreation Gathering is co-hosted by the Government of Yukon and the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon (RPAY). It creates professional-development and networking opportunities so recreation leaders and volunteers can continue delivering quality programming in Yukon communities.
It is also an opportunity for the Government of Yukon to present its annual community recreation leadership award. This award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to community recreation in the Yukon. This year’s winners were Tina Freake from Faro and Lindsay Johnston from Teslin.
Freake’s recreation career spans over 20 years. She has provided recreational services for Faro, Whitehorse, and Nanaimo and is currently the manager of recreation and culture for the Town of Faro, a position she held from 2011 to 2015 and returned to recently. Freake uses her skills, knowledge and flexibility to create fun and engaging programming for all ages. This summer, Freake took a group of seniors on a three-day adventure to Dawson City – a trip many had not done before.
Johnston has worked in Teslin since 2019 and before that in Old Crow. Over the past five years, Johnston has provided Teslin with diverse recreational programming, from on-the-land activities – like the youth bison hunt, Nisutlin River trip and Teslin Lake swimming lessons – to sport and recreation-based events like the Teslin Olympics, Teslin Lakespiel and Summer Sports Camps. Johnston has been phenomenal at bringing together her community with positive recreational opportunities.
The annual Recreation Gathering provides valuable opportunities for the Yukon’s recreation leaders to network and further their knowledge. Thank you, everyone, for your continued dedication to recreation. I also congratulate Tina Freake and Lindsay Johnston for their outstanding contributions to community recreation.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
The Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon was pleased to host this year’s annual Recreation Gathering on the traditional territory of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation. Community recreation leaders participated in opportunities for professional development and networking based on the theme “Reconnecting and Revitalizing Through Recreation.” The gathering provides a means for recreation practitioners to develop quality recreation in our ever-changing environment. The Village of Carmacks provided tremendous support for this event and participants enjoyed the tour of their new community ice arena.
Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon executive director Anne Morgan
The Government of Yukon community recreation leadership award has been presented annually since 2000 to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Yukon community recreation.
Attendees saw presentations on strengthening connections between recreation and culture, current trends in the field of recreation and getting active through showcasing recreation opportunities.
Attendees also explored and created sustainable action to implement the recommendations from the 2022 research project: “Pandemic Impacts on Rural Recreation in the Yukon Territory.”
RPAY was established in 1993 after the “Breaking Trails Conference,” which highlighted the need for an association to facilitate recreation in the Yukon.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Wayne Potoroka
Communications, Community Services
867-332-9427
wayne.potoroka@yukon.ca