Yukon News Releases
Mummified baby woolly mammoth found by gold miner in the Klondike
This is a joint news release with Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin.
On June 21, 2022, a near complete, mummified baby woolly mammoth was found in the Klondike gold fields within Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Traditional Territory. Miners working on Eureka Creek uncovered the frozen woolly mammoth while excavating through the permafrost. This is a significant discovery for Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin and the Government of Yukon. Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Elders named the mammoth calf Nun cho ga, meaning “big baby animal” in the Hän language.
Support for tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 extended
The Government of Yukon has extended and made changes to the Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector Supplement (TNASS) program to provide ongoing support for the Yukon’s tourism sector. The new extension period runs retroactively from April 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022. Changes to the program include:
Applications for the Yukon Midwifery Program are now open
Whitehorse residents who are in their first 20 weeks of pregnancy can now apply for midwifery care.
The Yukon Midwifery Program provides Yukoners with an additional option for safe, integrated care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, without having to pay out of pocket. Registered midwives are licensed, insured and fully integrated into Yukon’s health care system. They will work closely with other health providers to provide Yukoners with high quality care.
Nominations are open for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award
The nomination period is now open for the 2022 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. The awards are presented annually, in each province and territory, to celebrate the work of educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations and businesses in literacy.
Premier Sandy Silver encourages Yukoners to nominate those who demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in adult literacy.
Public input sought on the regulation of geothermal resources
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input on how geothermal resources should be regulated in the territory. The legislation will provide opportunities for developing geothermal resources as renewable energy for generating heat and electricity.
Under Our Clean Future, the Government of Yukon is prioritizing renewable energy solutions and clean alternatives like geothermal to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet the Yukon’s energy needs.
Statement from Premier Silver on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“I would like to wish all Yukoners a happy National Indigenous Peoples Day tomorrow. This is an important day for all of us to recognize and learn more about Indigenous cultures, arts, history and achievements.
Whitehorse’s Catholic secondary school renamed
The Government of Yukon and the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School Council are pleased to announce “St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School” as the new name of the school previously known as Vanier Catholic Secondary School.
The school council, staff, student body, Diocese of Whitehorse and school community supported changing the school’s name and picked this name after accepting suggestions from students and families.
The Government of Yukon provides more than $1.6 million in funding to territorial sport and recreation
Today, the Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Lottery Commission and Sport Canada, announced $1,617,917 in funding to territorial sport organizations, special recreation groups, athletes and officials.
This funding will help Yukon sport organizations organize and run activities related to sport and leadership development and facility operations and maintenance. It also offers support to individual athletes and officials who have demonstrated a high or elite performance level.
The funding includes:
Leadership gathers for Yukon Forum in the territory’s northernmost community
Today, Premier Sandy Silver and his Cabinet, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and the Yukon First Nations Chiefs met in Old Crow at the Darius Elias Community Centre, and virtually, for the Yukon Forum. This is the first time the Forum has been held in Old Crow and is one of the first events to be hosted at the new energy efficient community centre, which opened last month.
Public servants recognized for outstanding achievements
At an awards ceremony yesterday, Premier Sandy Silver presented five public servants and four Government of Yukon teams with the 2022 Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation. Premier Silver also presented 11 teams with a special award for outstanding service and accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The individual recipients are Aaron Koss-Young, Cassandra Kelly, Kim Derkatch, Paul Murchison and Wendy McIntire-Cowx.
Residents of Carmacks with private wells under boil water advisory
A boil water advisory has been issued for residents of the Village of Carmacks and Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation who use private wells.
The advisory is a precautionary measure to protect public health. Private wells may be impacted by flooding and high ground water from rising water levels on the Yukon River.
If you are using water from a private well:
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the Kudz Ze Kayah project
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada have come to a joint decision that completes the assessment phase of the Kudz Ze Kayah project. On behalf of the Government of Yukon, I am pleased to see another responsible mine project advance to the regulatory phase where continued work with Yukon First Nations and communities will help inform the future of this project. The Yukon has a robust and effective assessment and regulatory regime that continues to uphold responsible development in the territory.
Governments of Canada and Yukon reach a decision that advances the Kudz Ze Kayah project
Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon have come to a joint decision that concludes the environmental and socio-economic assessment process for the Kudz Ze Kayah project. The project can now proceed to the regulatory phase.
Minister of Health and Social Services appoints new Chief Medical Officer of Health
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has appointed Dr. Sudit Ranade as the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health beginning July 4, 2022.
Connective partners with Council of Yukon First Nations to operate shelter at 405 Alexander Street
Connective, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations, will assume operations of the shelter at 405 Alexander Street in Whitehorse on October 1, 2022.
This marks the final phase of the Government of Yukon’s plan to transfer operations and management of the Housing First residence on Wood Street and the shelter in Whitehorse to a non-governmental partner.
Statement from Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“Tomorrow is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an opportunity for communities around the world to champion Elder abuse prevention. This year’s theme, ‘Rights Do Not Get Old’, emphasizes that we all have a role to play in protecting the rights of seniors and Elders.
Borealis Prize recipient announced
Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard is pleased to announce Tara Borin as the third recipient of the Borealis Prize. A Dawson City resident, Tara published their debut full-length poetry collection, The Pit, in 2021. Their poems have been published in Resistance (U of R Press), PRISM International, Prairie Fire, emerge 19 (SFU Press) and Best New Poets in Canada 2018 (Quattro Books). They are also involved, on a volunteer basis, with various literary associations.
Statement from Minister Ranj Pillai on strategic tungsten investment
Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“On June 7, 2022, Fireweed Zinc signed a binding letter of intent with the Government of Northwest Territories to acquire the Mactung Tungsten Project. I congratulate Fireweed Zinc on their strategic investment in one of the largest tungsten deposits in the world.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on service reductions at community health centres
Minister of Health and Social Services, Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“The pandemic has created a local, national, and global shortage of health care providers, which is being felt across the territory. As a result of these pressures on the Community Nursing staff and agency nursing groups, some of our Community Health Centres may experience temporary reductions in services in the coming months.
Updates to self-isolation recommendations and lab-based PCR testing eligibility for COVID-19
The Yukon government is updating case and contact management and lab-based PCR testing guidelines for COVID-19 following recommendations from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Effective immediately, the following changes are in effect:
