A new Indian restaurant worth checking out

Good morning,

But have they lately been good mornings? I’ve been through wood fire smoke in other Canadian cities, and the last week and weekend were the worst I’ve ever experienced in terms of breathability

My partner and I were out fishing on Little Atlin Lake on Saturday. Truly a beautiful spot. Luckily, the smoke didn’t descend until the afternoon. And when it hit… Yikes. I ended up so fatigued that I went to bed at around 8:30 pm. I hadn’t felt that tired since my last running race.

A big thank you to everyone who reached out about advertising with us here at the Lookout. If you’re a small business or other organization interested in reaching thousands of Yukoners, and want to support local media, just hit reply and let me know!

I’ll be passing through Carcross this weekend at various times. I’m planning on stopping at the Bistro in town and trying the burger for Yukon burger rankings. If there’s any other food I should try, let me know!

Now enough with my ramblings, let’s get to today’s news.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

THE YUKON NUMBER

100+

The number of cyclists who came out on Monday to honour Joseph Morrison who was tragically killed by Adam Lougheed, who pleaded guilty the same day to dangerous driving causing death, driving while prohibited, and not staying at the scene of the crash. [CBC]

THE AGENDA

❌ If you’re travelling on the Dempster, keep an eye out. The road was closed from KM 0-86 on Tuesday due to a washout at KM 72, but was reopened last night. Be sure to check 511Yukon for more info.

🔥 The number of active fires has risen to 17, with 10 requiring a full response from fire crews. There was a fire that started on the 15th at Jeckell Creek, which the fire teams have made progress on. Meanwhile, on the 17th, there were multiple lightning strikes that caused more fires, including one near Crosby Creek. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire was 15 hectares. The latest info can be found at the Yukon Wildfire Hub.

🤝 The Yukon Supreme Court has approved the final part of the sale of the Minto mine to the Selkirk First Nations. The mine was previously abandoned in 2023 by Minto Metals Corp, and the First Nations have purchased the land and equipment for just over $6 million. [CBC]

📈 Expect some price changes on July 1 in Whitehorse. Transit fares now cost $3, while a monthly pass is $75. Parking fees are changing, at $0.50 per 15 minutes and a fine for not having a parking ticket of $40 or $20 if paid in one business day. 

🚘️ Also on July 1, be prepared for higher fines for dangerous driving. There’s a big list of fines that are changing, with many doubling. Some of the most notable now $250 for operating without or failure to produce a license, $2,000 for operating an uninsured vehicle, and doubling, or more, of many speeding fines. 

👷 The Yukon Employment Report for May is out and the Yukon had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.6% compared to the Canadian average of seven per cent. 

⛏️ PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the receiver of the Eagle Gold Mine formerly owned by Victoria Gold, is hoping to put the mine up for sale, and sell it by December. A court hearing will be held on June 30 for the company to make a case for its sale. The mine has been managed by PWC during the cleanup of the heap leak failure last year. [rci]

💰️ Speaking of the Eagle Gold Mine, the Yukon government says the mine receiver is recovering the remaining gold from the cyanide water that’s stored on site. This sale will help fund the work and offset some of the public costs that have been spent on remediation efforts. It’s still too early to say how it will be recovered. 

🏘️ Whitlebend will see soon have six new supportive housing units that will help Indigenous women and children, bought by the Yukon Housing Corporation for $6.3 million, and the program delivery for residents will be run by the Council of Yukon First Nations. 

🗳️ In the latest Yukon election updates, the Yukon Liberal Party will select their new leader, who will then become the new Premier, later tonight. The Yukon Party has nominated Aurora Viernes as their candidate for Riverdale South, currently held by Tracy-Anne McPhee. And the Yukon NDP announced that Dario Paola, President of Safe at Home Society, will seek the NDP nomination of Porter Creek South, held currently by Premier and Liberal MLA Ranj Pillai. 

☀️ Watson Lake is getting a solar power plant and energy storage to help reduce the community’s reliance on diesel generators. When running at full capacity, it will replace 24 per cent of the diesel generating power in the town. The investment is worth $28.6 million from the federal government, territorial government and First Kaska Utilities LP. 

🐻 Haines Junction announced last week that bear activity has increased throughout the village, which, if you’ve been following all the photos online, is not surprising at all. If you’re out in the bush, make sure you have bear spray and be bear aware!

👮 An Arizona man was killed in a collision on the Alaska Highway on Sunday, near Marsh Lake. This happened two days after another fatal collision. The Yukon corner is investigating both, but police say there’s no indication alcohol was involved. [CBC]

HOME OF THE WEEK

We haven’t looked at much in downtown Whitehorse lately, so I thought we’d return to that spot today. 

Stylish and in the heart of downtown Whitehorse, this place has a lot going for it. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, with 1,017 square feet, you’ll find a fantastic layout with lots of natural light, a private patio, and zoned to allow work. 

Of course, this close to downtown means you’ll pay a little more…

RESTAURANT REVIEW

At Desycan, Indian food has never tasted so good

After the first bite of the spiced chickpeas, I knew this place was special. After the last bite of dessert, I’m convinced this is one of the best restaurants in the Yukon. 

Tucked in behind Petro Canada, taking a left after you pass BBQ King, at a nondescript, forgettable storefront is Desycan at 314 Ray St.

The team told me that they had previously served food at Fireweed Market years ago, had returned to Montreal, but were now back in the Yukon and had opened their restaurant three weeks ago. 

Sometimes with restaurants, you can tell immediately it’s going to be good. We were the only ones inside and were greeted with an incredibly warm smile by the server (owner?) and ushered to a table.

The menu is one of the most exciting in the Yukon. You’ve got the standard curry and biryani, but what stood out was the numerous Indian street food items: stuffed puri topped with chutney, yogurt-dunked lentil fritters and chana chaat, just to name a few. It’s a welcome change to standard items. 

There’s also Thali, the first time I’ve seen it in the North. For those unfamiliar, Thali is a round platter of multiple small dishes. Rice, bread, curries, and sauces, it all varies, with vegetarian or meat options. Think of Middle Eastern mezze or Korean banchan. It’s the perfect way to try a little bit of everything. 

We opted for the vegetarian Thali, and the server/owner recommended the Chole Kulche, a boiled chickpea mixture of tomatoes, onions, house-made sauce and potatoes in a bun. I also ordered the Kathi Roll, marinated chicken, with tamarind and mint sauce. 

Skipping out on the drinks would be a huge mistake. They’ve put great thought into them. The Roohafza Lemonade was described as an aromatic rose essence, but it hit bigger than that. Delicious, refreshing and totally unique. 

The Spiced Tamarind was entirely different. Almost like a Caesar, you get the tangy zip of tamarind, with a spicy hit of chaat masala spice that, if you drink too fast, will have you coughing. I couldn’t tell if I actually enjoyed it, but it’s unique enough that it’s worth trying. 

The server/owner couldn’t have been more right with her suggestions. The Chole Kulche is a steal at $10, overflowing with well-done chickpeas, a sweet and tangy sauce, and a leavened bread pocket that soaked up the sauce.

Crunchy, soft and subtle, the Kathi Roll is like a burrito, but crispy on the outside. Where the Cole Kulchie was intense, the roll was much more nuanced, where everything worked together in a laid-back way rather than any intense flavour. 

Finally, the Thali. I believe it came with the Channa Masala, a more subtle version of what I’m used to, and the Shahi Paneer and Paneer Tikka Masala. I could be wrong on the last two. Either way, it doesn’t matter – the curries were the best I’ve had in the Yukon, an intense, rich, unique sweetness to each one. Desycan don’t know it yet, but they’re now my official weeknight Indian food spot when I’m craving curry. 

The Thali also came with a small Gulab Jamun, a soft, round, spongy Indian donut, served in a syrup of cardamom and rose water, which is the best representation of what the dessert should taste like.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the food could be spicier. With that said, the lack of heat means even people who hate spicy food will be able to enjoy it.

I’m not sure what I expected at Desycan. One of the best meals in the Yukon was not on my list. A place like this deserves a visit from anyone who enjoys food and wants to explore different Indian cuisine. And for the sake of having more good food in the Yukon, let’s hope the team behind Desycan is here for good.

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Nations Skate Youth – Mayo Event | Skatepark at the Community Hall, Mayo | June 23, 11 am to 4 pm | Skateboarding, BBQ, gear provided | Free

STEAM One-Day Camp | Whitehorse Public Library, Whitehorse | June 24 & June 26, 10 am to 4 pm | Free STEAM camp for youth | Free

Nature Sprites | Minto Park, Dawson City | June 25–27, 1–4 pm | Crafts, nature play for grades K–1 | Tickets $50

Atlin Canada Day Parade | Starts at REC Centre Parking Lot, Atlin | July 1, 11 am | Floats, bikes, dogs welcome, cupcakes at Tarahne Park | Free

First Fish 2025 | Moosehide Village, near Dawson City | July 11–16 | Learn Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditions, fish & culture | Free with registration

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson City | Multiple dates in July | For kids 5+, learn outdoor skills and survival strategies | Register

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

Arts + Music

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Yukon Arts Centre, 300 College Dr | June 18–22, 7 pm (plus June 22 matinee at 2 pm) | Youth musical theatre production by YTYP | Tickets $30+

Painting workshop with Ernest Chua | The Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr. | Jun. 25, 6–8 pm | Silent creation art session + group reflection | Free

Our Lady Peace Concert | Shipyards Park | June 28, 5 pm | A free concert featuring Our Lady Peace!

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

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | 27 14 Ave. Whitehorse | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

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

Outdoors and Sports

YUKON WIKD

Yukon Freshwater Fishing Workshop | Yukon University, 500 University Dr. | Jun. 19, 6 pm | Learn fishing tips, knots, Yukon species and more | Tickets $25 | Event link

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

Midnight Sun Ultimate Frisbee Tournament | Christ the King Elementary School | July 5th | A  day of frisbee, food, fun and a party under the midnight sun | Learn More & Register

Pine Lake Triathlon | Pine Lake, Haines Junction| | Jul. 20, 8 am | 1 km swim, 23 km bike and 6km run | Register here

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

John Kilmer Celebration of Life | Tarahne Park, Atlin | June 20, 3 pm–11:59 pm | Potluck, music, jamming, and shared stories celebrating the life of John | Free

Graze & Gather | Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Alaska Hwy | June 20, 6 pm | Keynote, local apps, Yukon ag networking | Tickets $23

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Dawson City | June 21, 11 am | Hand games, live music, bannock & more | Free

National Indigenous Peoples Day – We Wear Our Stories | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Whitehorse | June 21, from 9:30 am | Dancers, fashion show, market, storytelling | Free

Rare Plant Garage Sale | 21 Redwood St, Whitehorse | June 22, 10 am to 2 pm | Hundreds of rare plants incl. Hoyas & Monsteras | Free

Indigenous Summer Play Readings | Village Bakery & Deli, 186 Auriol St, Haines Junction | July 20, 12 pm to 2:30 pm | Readings of two new Indigenous scripts | Free

George Johnston Museum 50th Anniversary | George Johnston Museum, 17 Nisutlin Dr, Teslin | July 18, 11:30 am to 3:30 pm | Speeches, lunch, art fair & cultural demos | Free

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

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Whitehorse has installed two trail counters, Hamilton Boulevard Trail at the Canada Games Centre and the Riverfront Trail near Quartz Road and Chilkoot Way, to help understand how people are using the trails. 

While Our Lady Peace is obviously the big draw, a number of local bands will be playing from 12:10 onwards at the  Frank Slim Stage on June 28, including Rising Sun Singers, Taiko Drummers, and more. 

A reminder that property taxes in Whitehorse are due by July 2 at 5 pm!

If you’re in Dawson, keep an eye out for Arrow, a black and white dog that’s gone missing. There’s a reward for her return. 

Congrats to the Haines Junction grad class on their trip to Japan. Easily one of my favourite countries I’ve ever visited. 

Now that’s a milestone – École Émilie-Tremblay celebrated its 40th anniversary last Friday!

Unhoused Yukon has a survey out on developing a plan for unhoused people in the territory. You can complete it here. 

The  Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre is seeking volunteers for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st. You can sign up to volunteer here. 

For those looking to read this weekend, you’ll want to check out books from the Whitehorse Public Library by tomorrow, as it will be closed from Saturday to Monday for the holiday. 

Someone put together a super helpful guide for donating clothes, tools, books and literally anything else. You’ll want to save this one! 

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Youth Program Coordinator, Whitehorse Nordic Centre: Lead XC ski programs for ages 4–12. XC skiing experience required. Full-time position starts Oct 2025. Learn more and apply [Sponsored]

  Junior Development Program Coordinator, Whitehorse Nordic Centre: Lead our youth XC ski program (ages 11–18). XC skiing experience required. 200 hrs/season starting Aug 1. Learn more and apply [Sponsored]

• Marketing manager, Northwestel in Whitehorse

• General labourer/core cutter, Fox Exploration in Dawson City

• Environmental manager, Parsons in Faro

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Living culture: The ancient art of sourdough in the modern Yukon

A story about sourdough, the North and history.

Read the story

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Well, it was definitely smoky while fishing. Here’s one of the better photos I captured of the trip. I like how it turned out with the smoky air, but would’ve obviously traded the nice photo for less smoke!