Are Northern sports the latest casualty of the trade war?

Good morning!

I’ll soon be sending a questionnaire off to our local federal election candidates. Hopefully we’ll hear back from them! But I’d love to ask them some questions from Lookout community. If you have a question you’d like me to ask them, reply to this email.

In other exciting news, I am looking to commission stories from local writers! If you are a journalist or writer, or know someone who is, please connect them with me. I’m interested in any and all stories about the Yukon.

Finally, we’re doing a giveaway over the next two weeks. Each person you refer to the newsletter enters you to win one of two $25 gift cards to any local Yukon business. Use this URL to refer your friends: {{subscriber_refer_url}}

Alright, let’s get to today’s stories!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

Correction: In last week’s newsletter, I wrote about how metered parking times in Whitehorse could change. The correct time that the city is considering changing them to is 8 am to 6 pm, not 9 am to 6 pm.

If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

The Yukon Weather Report

SPORTS

Are Northern sports the latest casualty of the trade war?

What happened: One of the unique aspects of the Yukon is the cross-border nature of events, especially sports, between us and places like Haines and Skagway. But sporting events may be facing some challenges as the trade war between the US and Canada heats up. 

Most recently: One idea floated by the NDP party leader Kate White is to ban Alaskan athletes from the Arctic Winter Games, according to CBC, a massive event which will take place next year. White likened it to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee suspending Russia from the games for invading Ukraine. 

• The Premier was cool to the idea, telling the broadcaster that it’s “not something that we’ve contemplated.”

There were concerns that the Buckwheat Classic may have had fewer registrations due to the tariff threat. A poll we ran in a previous newsletter indicated many of our readers were uninterested in travelling to the US. However, the same number of registrants ended up joining, according to Alaska Republic. 

Zoom out: While it’s unclear how all of this will affect the North, Canadians in general are travelling far less to the US, with just less than a million fewer in March of this year compared to last year, according to the National Post. That’s a drop from 4.9 million to 4.1 million, so still many people are going. Car travel to the US fell 33 per cent.

Looking ahead: There are a few upcoming events to keep an eye on. The Kluane to Chilkat International Bike Relay on June 21 is another event that’s cross-border and is one of the biggest events of the year for Haines. While not sporting-related, there’s also the Southeast Alaska State Fair and the ever-popular Haines Beerfest, which is a huge draw for Yukon residents.

YUKON NUMBERS

🦴 200,000: The age of a Yukon mammoth tooth. That’s 100,000 years earlier than scientists thought mammoths roamed North America. [CBC]

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Rural and suburban mail carrier - on-call relief, Canada Post in Whitehorse

• Grocery clerk/store shelf stocker, Dawson City General Store

• Human resources advisor, Air North in Whitehorse

• Human rights officer, Yukon Human Rights Commission in Whitehorse

• Regional Indigenous relations leader, North Canada in Whitehorse

HOME OF THE WEEK

When I first saw this place, it didn’t really stand out. Sure, it’s in the Marsh Lake area, but it seemed rather simple.

Not so once you step inside. This new two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is gorgeously designed, with tasteful wood a nice-sized kitchen, a big porch and a room for a workshop

Is it expensive? You’ll have to check it out.

THE AGENDA

❌ Parts of the East Airport Access Road Trail in Whitehorse have been closed while the city monitors the escarpment area and deals with erosion during the spring. Visit the city’s website here for the latest updates. 

🌊 The Yukon government has launched a water app to monitor real-time water levels to keep you informed as conditions change in the territory. You can view it here. 

⛴️ The Yukon government confirmed during question period that Dawson’s George Black Ferry will be replaced in the coming years, with an RFP due this spring to begin a planning study.

🔥 The Carcross and Mt. Lorne Volunteer Fire Department had to deal with a fire at the Haa Shagóon Hídi (Learning Centre) on Sunday. Smoke was coming from the basement, but it wasn’t heavy, and there was no intense heat.

👮 Const. Cole Williams will have to resign or will be fired after the conduct board determined that he likely violated a section of the RCMP Code of Conduct when he allegedly kissed and touched a co-worker without consent. Williams will not face any criminal charges, and his lawyer said his client maintains it was a false allegation. [CBC]

🍎 More and more people are having to use the Yukon Food Bank. A total of 1,957 used it in March, up by 67 compared to February. [CBC]

🏢 The Yukon shelter is facing more criticism this week. The owners of the Alpine Bakery released a statement, alleging that when the Salvation Army ran the shelter, there were fewer issues. The Premier rejected that, saying that there were still issues back then. Both the NDP and the Yukon Party say the current model isn’t working. [CBC]

🏒 Whitehorse hockey player Dylan Cozens and the Ottawa Senators will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the upcoming Canadian playoff battle beginning on Sunday. It’ll be Cozens’s first playoff appearance. 

🖥️ The CRTC is in the process of deciding what a monthly internet subsidy could be for northern residents. On average, we pay $72 a month more than the rest of Canada. Northwestel only wants to offer $25 a month. Starlink also wants the subsidy to apply to them. TELUS, on the other han,d says $10 is enough, and should only be applied to low-income households. [Cabin Radio]

📷️ If you’re in Haines Junction and looking for an update about council, then this video will be useful. 

Disclosure: In the interest of transparency, please note that my partner works for the Yukon government.

Enter to win two $25 gift cards

We’re giving away two $25 gift cards to any Yukon business over the next two weeks. All you have to do is refer one person to the Lookout. It’s that simple!

To do that, just this special referral link below, or share it by clicking any of the links below.

We’ll announce the names in our May 1 newsletter.

Your unique URL: {{subscriber_refer_url}}

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EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Celebration of Swans | Swan Haven Interpretive Centre | Until Apr. 30, weekdays 5-8 pm, and weekends from 12-7 pm | Over 20 different free events | Learn more

The Most Eggcellent Easter Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt | Yukon Wildlife Preserve | Apr. 19, 11 am-5 pm | All-day scavenger hunt, use the clues to find prizes | Learn more

Easter Market | Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Apr. 20, 2-4 pm | Reserve a table for $10, come and sell your products! | More info

Mexican Themed Cooking Classes | Takhini Arena Mezzanine | Apr. 23, 5 pm | Learn how to make Mexican food, for kids 12-15 | Tickets $15

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Arts + Music

Dawson City International Short Film Festival | KIAC Ballroom, 902 Second Avenue, Dawson City | Apr. 17-20 | Global short films, workshops, and filmmaker events | $10 tickets, $50 pass

Skagway Spring Festival | Multiple locations in Skagway | Apr. 18-20 | Art, markets and more!

National Canadian Film Day | Yukon Cinema | Apr. 10-17 | Discover Canadian films all week long | More info

Animal Trinket Tray Sculpting | Canada Games Centre, Boardroom | May 3, 3:00 pm | Sculpt clay trays for rings or keepsakes | Tickets $23

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | June 6-8 | Come enjoy bluegrass music all weekend long | Tickets $195

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park, Atlin | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Dawson City Music Festival | Downtown Dawson City | Jul. 18-20 | Over 25 artists and badns from across Canada | Tickets $195

Outdoors and Sports

Supervolley | Robert Service School | Apr. 17, 6 pm | Come by and play volleyball, for anyone 13+

Yukon Fish & Game Association Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | Apr. 19, 5:30 pm | Live music with Justin Sutton & North of 49, along with local celebrity chef Chris Irving | Tickets $160

Alpine Club of Canada Yukon AGM | Winterlong Brewing Co. | Apr. 29, 7 pm | Programming updates, financials and updates on club backcountry hut | Free

Mt. Sima 2nd Annual Sloppet | Mount Sima | May 3, 11 am | Skate, skin and bike event | Registration $30

Recreation Expo 2025 | Canada Games Centre | May 4, 11 am-4 pm | Learn more information from recreation and sporting clubs | Free

Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance | Icycle Sports, 21 Waterfront Place, Whitehorse | May 6, 6:30 pm | Learn bike care basics—cleaning, setup, repairs | Tickets $70

Yukon Brewing Ball Hockey Tournament | Takhini Broomball Area | May 10, 9 am | 3×3 plus goalie games, coed tournament with many games! | $250 for team

Intro to Yukon Camping & Outdoor Adventures | Yukon University, 500 University Drive, Room C1440 | May 15, 6:00 pm | Family-friendly workshop on camping | Tickets $25

Marsh Lake Madness Triathlon | Jul. 1 | A normal triathlon, but with paddling instead of swimming! | Learn more

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Other

An Evening of Geopolitics with Chris Kilford | Yukonstruct | Apr. 23, 5 pm-7 pm | Hear from expert Dr. Chris Kilford as he discusses international relations and security challenges | Tickets $17

Compass 2025: TIA Yukon’s Tourism Spring Conference | Haa Shagóon Hídi, Carcross | Apr. 24-25 | Workshops and events on sustainable tourism practices | Tickets $350+

Kitchen Party 2.0 | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | May 3, 6 pm | Eat and dance the night away with music and silent auction | Tickets $107

2025 Indoor Community Garage Sale | Canada Games Centre | May 10, 11-4:30 | Come by and sell your goods or find some treasures

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Dirty Northern's burger is a winner

Which restaurant has the best burgers in the Yukon? In our ongoing series, we set out to find out which burgers are the best. Originally published in March.

It was one of those nights when you want, no, you need to have a burger. We hadn’t been to Dirty Northern since last summer, so we thought now would be a good time to return.

The list of burgers is solid, with six options that will satisfy just about anyone — beef, bison, chicken, veggie, it’s all there. The prices range from $24.50 to $26.50, which is on par for living in the Yukon.  

Read the review

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

📆 For those visiting the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse this weekend over the holidays, the hours are 8 am-8 pm. 

🎼 Friday’s in the Park in Whitehorse is back, with events taking place in parks across the city in different neighbouhoods. More info and dates can be found here

🍺 Yukon Brewing has a new beer out, a Vienna Lager called Pet Project, featuring a husky on the can.

✍️ The St. Elias Chamber of Commerce in Haines Junction is asking locals to share stories about the community, and you can be entered into a draw for $50. 

🖼️ Nine new works of art will be added to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection, with a planned exhibition somewhere in the territory this fall. 

🗑️ There’s still time for your non-profit to make a bit of money this spring with the Litter Clean-up Campaign. 

🏡 The Whitehorse Food Bank has launched the Unity Garden Program, providing free seed kits and garden resources available in early May. 

🪴 Don’t have a garden at home? The Whitehorse Downtown Community Garden is opening up applications for gardening plots this season. 

🎸 The Dawson City Music Festival is seeking volunteers to help at the event.

THE YUKON WORDLE

Think you can guess this week’s Yukon Wordle? It has something to do with the changing weather. Play it here.