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

Good morning,

Today is a very special day for two reasons.

The first is that I was actually able to get the newsletter off even while still managing to get over to Kusawa for a quick camp. It will sadly be quick because, in my haste, I forgot to bring some important things!

The second is more important. I teased it last week, and it’s here — I’m excited to announce our very first commissioned story here at the Lookout!

My hope with the Lookout has always been to work with local writers and journalists to produce interesting and impactful local stories. Today is a first step towards that.

I’m keen to hear what people think, if we should do more of these in the future.

If you’re a writer or a journalist, please reach out. Our budget isn’t huge, but we’re committed to trying to build something here in the Yukon.

Let’s dive in!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

PROFILE

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

By Ben Charland.

It’s after 10 p.m., but it’s May in the Yukon, so there is still a dash of light in the sky. Our kitchen island is cluttered with measuring cups, flour-dusted utensils, dish towels. My wife, Shelaine, quietly places a batch of dough into a Dutch oven and then into the range. Our two kids, aged 2 and 4, are finally down in their room.

For many, this is a familiar ritual—stealing moments between work and family to nurture something else. Our dog, Galena, used to be the twice-daily recipient of such love. On the day she died in April, Shelaine received her very first sourdough starter.

“Twenty minutes with the lid on, and then I take it out. Then bake for another 20 to 30 minutes,” she tells me as she sets a timer on her phone.

The starter Shelaine uses isn’t just any sourdough culture. It’s a direct descendant of the territory’s most famous microbial community, the “1898 Yukon Sourdough Starter” that accompanied gold miners up the treacherous Chilkoot Pass more than 125 years ago.

I picture a weary prospector climbing the infamous trail forty times to transport his mandatory 1,000 pounds of supplies. Dangling around his neck for warmth is a small pouch of sourdough starter: a living culture that is as much a companion as sustenance. On each ascent, he feeds it a pinch of precious flour and a few drops of water, knowing it’s his only reliable means of leavening bread in the North.

A regional legacy

To understand this culture, both microbial and historical, I visited Cat McInroy at Well Bread, her Whitehorse cooking school housed in what was once the Boys and Girls Club. 

The kitchen is immaculate but homey, dominated by a large central island where students gather to learn. Cat herself radiates the same energy as her collection of bubbling starters. These resemble what Shelaine has been keeping in a half-litre glass jar in our fridge: a handful of off-white dough, teeming with hungry bacteria, which quadruples in volume after being fed. 

“Sourdough bread has been around for thousands and thousands and thousands of years,” Cat explains, her voice animated as she traces the history that brought this particular culture to the North. “Ione Christensen’s family is the one in Dawson that has been taking care of this starter since 1898. Her great-grandfather got it from someone on the Chilkoot Trail.”

DNA testing confirms what old-timer settlers have long claimed—this particular starter originated in San Francisco before making its way north with miners seeking fortune in the Klondike. Today, Cat ships dried portions of this historical culture to bakers worldwide.

“We know this because it’s been DNA tested and the DNA of that starter comes from San Francisco,” she says. The testing also revealed something remarkable: “This sourdough really hasn’t been contaminated by other sourdoughs. Nobody’s mixed in their sourdough to it. Nobody’s put commercial yeast in it.”

Art resurrected

The global resurgence of sourdough bread over the past 15 years finds a surprising nexus in a baker named Chad Robertson and his iconic San Francisco bakery, Tartine, creating a full-circle connection to the Klondike Gold Rush starter. Robertson’s 2010 book, Tartine Bread, sparked a revolution in artisanal bread making.

“Chad Robertson is the guy who changed the pace of sourdough bread in the last 15 years,” explains Michael Roberts, owner of Landed Bakehouse in Whitehorse. I meet him in his bustling space, a converted warehouse where the scent of fresh-baked bread mingles with the rhythmic sounds of dough being shaped and classic rock music that pumps through a Bluetooth speaker.

Michael sits at a long communal table, fielding phone calls for orders and directing staff. A delivery driver in a high-vis jacket notes that Michael hasn’t moved from this spot since last Tuesday.

“Chad showed the world that there needs to be more water,” Michael continues, describing how Robertson popularized high-hydration doughs that create bread with airy, open crumb structures. “They bake their bread dark.”

While sourdough’s scientific principles may be universal, Michael stresses that bread making remains highly localized. “We use local Hinterland grain, freshly milled each week, and we’re supplementing with Canadian organic grains,” he tells me. “Some of them are more digestible. Some of them are harder. They soak up more water.”

Full circle

Shelaine pulls her finished loaf from the oven. The crust is dark, almost mahogany—what Michael from Landed Bakehouse might appreciate. “There’s a lot of sweetness on that crust,” he told me during our interview. “The burn is caramelizing sugars.”

I can’t help but think about how this simple loaf of bread links us to the Klondikers of the past. The term “sourdough” itself has evolved in the Yukon, once a badge of hardiness for those who survived a northern winter, now a complex word carrying the weight of history. In 2021, the Yukon Rendezvous festival acknowledged this complexity by dropping the word “Sourdough” from its name—recognizing that our shared stories can, and must, be both honoured and reimagined.

Shelaine sets the hot loaf on a rack to cool. The kitchen fills with that aroma. In the morning, our children will wake up to fresh toast, blissfully unaware of the hours of feeding, folding, and waiting that transformed bacteria, flour and water into something greater.

The starter, now back in the fridge, will remain dormant until next week. It requires attention and care—a living reminder that the most meaningful things often demand patience. In a world of instant gratification, the process is grounding, an ancient process that cannot be rushed, as the past carries forward to the future in each loaf.

THE YUKON NUMBER

20

The number of reported illegal dumpings last year in Whitehorse. This year so far, there have been nine. [Yukon News]

HOME OF THE WEEK

If you’ve been on the hunt for a recreational property that’s less than an hour from Whitehorse, then this may be your dream home. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking for off-grid living and fishing. Of course, there’s no power, running water or septic, but that’s to be expected. 

If you’re looking for an off-the-grid dream cabin, then this may be the one for you

THE AGENDA

🌊 As of May 27, water conservation efforts are still in effect in Haines Junction. The city says they will need to be in place for at least another week while the new pump is installed. The pump that provides the main water supply stopped working on May 25, though the second well continues to work as usual. 

🧊 It was dicey there in Old Crow for a few days. The flood advisory and evacuation alert were partially lifted after previously being initiated due to a potential ice jam on the Porcupine River. Dump Road was closed due to flooding on Saturday but is now back open. Residents are being asked to conserve water. [CBC]

🗳️ It looks like there’s now a race. Businessman Mike Pemberton announced that he’s entered the race for Liberal leader and Premier. He owns Signature Homes, was vice-chair of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and served on other organizations, is a long-time Liberal and says he’d focus on community safety if elected. He joins former Kwanlin Dün First Nation chief Doris Bill, who announced her candidacy earlier this month. [Yukon News]

⚡️ Hey, you wanna hook up? BC and the Yukon have signalled a willingness last week to work towards getting the Yukon hooked up to BC’s power grid, a game changer for the territory. But experts say that it could take more than a decade to happen. [CTV]

⛏️ Placer miners are none too happy about the state of license renewals. The long wait for renewals means some have expired while they wait for renewals. The Klondike Placer Miners' Association has paused all discussion with the territory as they wait for a solution. No work can be done on a site if there is no license. It’s a big deal as half of Dawson’s commercial revenue comes from the industry. [CBC]

🗳️ The Yukon’s electoral boundaries are set to change this upcoming territorial election. There are now 21 seats, with the two extra in Whitehorse around Whistlebend. Kyle Hutton has put together a useful chart outlining how the electoral results would’ve been with the new seats. You can see the new map here as well.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

🥪 Sadly, the Deli Cafe and Eatery in Whitehorse has announced its closure. No reason was given. You can still visit until May 30. 

🏊️ The Dawson City pool is now open for the season, with kids’ time, lanes and camps. 

🐂 The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is going above and beyond to take care of a baby muskox, including bottle feeding it. [CBC]

🎤 Whitehorse is asking for public feedback and ideas on its upcoming budgets, you can do so here.

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon

• Newcomer Engagement Settlement and Training (N.E.S.T) Project Coordinator, Yukon Literacy Coalition in Whitehorse

• Housing Manager, Ross River Dena Council in Ross River

• Director of Human Resources, Carcross/Tagish First Nation in Carcross

• Bagel Baker, Bullet Hole Bagels in Whitehorse

• Financial Controller, North 60 Petro LTD. in Whitehorse

THE YUKON GUESSER

Can you guess which campground this is?

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Fridays in the Park | Hillcrest Park | 4:30-6:30 pm | Lots of groups participating, including the Humane Society, Yukon Literacy Centre, Yukon Invasive Species Council, all doing education seminars, games and more | Free

Walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis | Wye Lake Park, Watson Lake | May 31, 10:30 am | Fundraising walk and BBQ for CF Yukon | Free

Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival | Yukon Arts Centre | June 8, 10 am-4 pm | Arts activities for kids and families, all free | Activities

Yukon Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show | Takhini Arena | Jun. 13-16, 4 pm | If you love dogs, this is for you, with eight confirmation shows, and more

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson | 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

Opening Reception for New Exhibits | The Yukon Arts Centre | June 5, 5-7 pm | Cocktails and appetizers, along with the new exhibits

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

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+

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

Velonorth 2025 Spring Group Rides | Meet at Midnight Sun Coffee/Icycle | Saturdays, Now until June 7, 10 am | Two-hour road ride with other cyclists | Free

Seed Library Talk | Whitehorse Community Garden | May 29, 12-1 pm | Get your gardening questions answered | Register by emailing [email protected] 

Orchid Trail Walk | West Dawson (meeting location shared upon registration) | May 31, 1 pm | Guided orchid hike with Sebastian Jones | Free

Seeds + Seedlings Exchange | Dawson Community Garden and Green House, Dawson City | May 31, 10 am | Share and trade seeds and seedlings | Free

The Ball & Chain Challenge - Hybrid Golf for a Good Cause | 3 Olive Place | May 31 | Disc golf fundraiser with live music, bbq and games, includes game, food and drink tickets | $500 per team of four

Southern Lakes Yukon Gran Fondo | Starting at McClintock Bay | June 1, 10 am | If you can bike 173 km, then this is for you! | Learn more

Out There, From Here: Bikepacking Trip to Lime Peak | June 14-16 | Come explore the space around us with a biking and hiking trip near Lake Labarge | Sign-up

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

Pine Lake Triathlon | Haines Junction, Pine Lake | 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

Square Dancing at the Copperbelt | MacBride Copperbelt Mining Museum | May 31, 7 pm | All-ages evening of square and round dances | Tickets $15 non-members

Winterlong Turns 10 | Winterlong Brewing | May 31, 12 pm-7 pm | Live music, fun and more with their biggest anniversary celebration yet

Italian National Day | 90351 Alaska Hwy | June 1–2, 12 pm | Italian food and outdoor celebration | Free

Wings Wednesdays | Island Eats, Dawson City | June 4, and every Wednesday | $1 wings, enough said

FireSmart Plant Tag Program Launch | Decora and Yukon Gardens | June 6, June 14 at various times | Learn which plants are safer in wildfires | Free

Father's Day Show and Shine | Yukon Transportation Museum | June 15, 10 am | Classic car show with vehicle entry and family fun | Free to attend

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

Yukon Prize Celebration Evening and Feast of Small Plates | The Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr | Oct. 4, 6 pm | Visual, culinary and performing arts celebration | Tickets $100+

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

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon

• Head route setter/program coordinator, Climb Yukon Collective in Whitehorse

• Community housing coordinator, Government of Yukon in Whitehorse

• Building services manager, City of Whitehorse

• Mining liaison, First Nation of Na Cho Nyäk Dun in Mayo

• Custodian, Atlin School in Atlin