The Fireweed Community Market is back

Good morning,

And welcome to the 84 new readers who joined the Lookout this week. And a big thanks to all 1,976 Yukoners who read this newsletter.

It feels like summer has officially arrived. No, not because of the weather, which has been pretty mediocre so far, but because campgrounds are now open. Some rules have changed, so it’s always worth revisiting them.

Today is a shorter newsletter than normal, but I hope you still enjoy it! We’ve got a quick update on the Fireweed Market and some feedback from readers.

Also happy birthday to Kent Pigott! If you refer one person to the newsletter, you get a birthday shout-out like we just did for Kent. We’re only 25 readers away from 2,000 so consider forwarding this or sharing the newsletter with your friends and family. 

Let’s dive in. 

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

GOVERNMENT

The Fireweed Community Market is back

What happened: The popular Fireweed Market returned to Whitehorse last week. It features many new and old returning favourites. You can catch it every Thursday, from 3-7 pm until Sept. 18.

Here’s the list of vendors so far:

My personal favourites:

• Half Moon Ice Cream is serving up some spectacular flavours

• Daat indian Cuisine has some of the best Indian food in the territory

• I always love grabbing sausages from Tum Tum’s

• Any of the produce from the local farms. Having access to fresh produce in one spot like that makes cooking so much better. 

On my radar: I’m really looking forward to trying Out of the Blue Wood-Fired Pizza. It always struck me as surprising that no one was making pizza like this at the market. I’ll report back!

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out there!

YUKON NUMBERS

👍️ $1 million: The amount a Yukon group won for the Arctic Inspiration Prize, a yearly award where money is given to fund education, health and other programs. That amount, the biggest of the grants given, will go to the Council of the Yukon First Nations’ Bibia Nàtsät Ku, a new Indigenous midwifery and reproductive health care program. [Yahoo News]

HOME OF THE WEEK

Alright, this is a cute home.

Close to Atlin, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom 1980 square feet is nicely designed without much upkeep needed. But what really stands out is the five acres of property, perfect for someone who wants to get their hands dirty with a garden or anything else.

This is how much this beauty of a place will set you back…

THE AGENDA

🌊 Those living in Dawson and in the lower Yukon River basin should be aware that flooding is possible this spring. According to the Yukon government, the Dawson/Klondike snowpack is 177 per cent above the historical median for May 1. The only other above-average is Central Yukon (Carmacks area). Southern regions should expect lower to average freshet runoffs. 

🗳️ After last week’s announcement that Premier Ranj Pillai was planning to step down, many were wondering who might take his place. One person has already announced they plan to run — former Kwanlin Dün chief Doris Bill. She was chief from 2014 to 2022. She said in her announcement that she’d focus on justice reform, improving the health system and responsible mining. No other candidate has stepped forward as of yet. The Liberal Party has set a date of June 19 to choose a new leader. [APTN]

🏫 The Yukon government released the latest Health and Health-Related Behaviours among Young People report based on data from 2022. Some key findings include that bullying was down from 2018, and cannabis use was lower.

⛴️ The George Black Ferry is once again crossing the Yukon River as of Monday. The ferry runs seven days a week, 24 hours a day. 

🚓 The RCMP Historical Case Unit is seeking the public’s help over the death of Tootsie Jimmy-Charlie. She was found dead on May 17, 1967 at the old Whitehorse landfill at McIntyre Creek. 

🕯️ Last Friday, the Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon held a prayer vigil for the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day Destival attack in Vancouver. 

🍖 There has been a rise in wasted caribou meat in Northern Yukon. Discarded meat was discovered in the Old Crow Landfill in April, an abandoned caribou carcass was found near Porcupine River, and along the Dempster Highway near River Rock. If you have any information, please contact Yukon Conservation Officer Services at 1-800-661-0525.

SURVEY

What you said about community summer guides

Well, that was an overwhelming response! Not only did over 100 of you respond, 90 per cent of you said the Lookout should build some guides for communities across the Yukon.

Many of you also wrote in with ideas. Here are a few below. If you’re an organization or business outside of Whitehorse and want to be featured or interviewed for the guide, or have something interesting to share that visitors would like, hit reply to this email with your info!

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

🥾 The ever-helpful Yukon Hiking has an overview for Burdette Creek near Atlin. Can’t wait to hike this one over the summer. 

🐏 A reminder that it’s lambing season at Kluane National Park and Reserve. Travel is prohibited from now until June 15 on the Thechàl Dhâl’ Ridge Route. 

🇯🇲 Jamaican restaurant Island Eats in Dawson is open again after a brief maternity leave hiatus. I wrote about how much I loved their food back in March. Hours are Monday-Saturday, with lunch from 11 am-2 pm and dinner from 5-10 pm

⚡️ A reminder with campsites reopening that fuel-powered generators in campsites are now only allowed from 9-11 am and 5-8 pm. 

🚘️ As of today, speed limits approaching the Lewes River Bridge are now 70 km/h, not 90 km/h and the speed limit on the bridge itself is 50 km/h. 

💰️ There’s still one day left to apply for the next intake of community grants in Dawson.

🧗 The new Climb Collective Gym has many excited, and the organization is seeking input on youth and adult programming. You can fill out the adult form here and the youth form here. 

🍽️ Popular restaurant Bonton & Company in Dawson has added a second seating on Thursday. As always, reservations are strongly recommended. And if you like bread, every Wednesday they get in an order from Landed Bakery.

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Tour guide, Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse

• Summer pool coordinator, Village of Carmacks

• Building services manager, City of Whitehorse

• Travel nurse, Bayshore HealthCare in Whitehorse

• Construction labourer or journeyman, Organ Construction in Whitehorse

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Birding for Kids Agend 6-12 | Yukon University | May 17, 9:30 am | Dedicated birding event for kids and their parent/guardian with the Yukon Bird Club

Atlin Volunteer Fire Department BBQ | Tarahne Park, Atlin | May 20, 4:30-7:30 pm | Fun, family-friendly BBQ with door prizes, goody bags for kids and equipment demos

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

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

Arts + Music

Adult Movie Month at Yukon Film Society | Yukon Theatre | All of May | Come see more adult themed movies, like The Ballad of Wallis Island, Sinners, Sacramento, The Shrouds and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning | Full schedule

A Conversation with Mary Walsh | The Sternwheeler Hotel | May 23, 7-9 pm | A night of wit, wisdom and laughs with This Hour Has 22 Minutes alum Mary Walsh | Tickets $55

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

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

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

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

Whitehorse Trail Running Film Festival | Yukon Beringa Interpretive Centre | May 15, 6 pm | Films for running lovers, plus pizza + drinks | Tickets $23

Wolf Creek Fry Release | Wolf Creek Campground | May 25, 11 am-2 pm | Learn about Chinook salmon conservation efforts, free BBQ lunch and help release the salmon into the creek

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

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 swm, 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

Lorne Mountain Community Association AGM | May 21, 6 pm | Come out, share ideas and get involved in shaping the future of the community

Yukon Innovation Day | Multiple locations in Whitehorse | May 22 | Events to celebrate and showcase local innovators and entrepreneurs | Learn more

Jody Wilson-Raybould in Conversation with Ivan Coyote | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | May 22, 6 pm | Come meet and hear from The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould as she discusses her new book | Free

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS

What’s for sale in the Yukon:

• 1974 vintage Boler - $15,500

• Tomato seedlings of various kinds - $10

• Vision fly fishing kit - $300

• The Kramer (yes, from the show) - $50

• Esquif Mallard Freighter Canoe (12’4) - $1,700

THE YUKON WORDLE

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