What's Up Yukon, January 28, 2026 by What's Up Yukon

PHOTO: Aaron McKenzie Fraser

TRACY AND MARTINA ARE COMIN’ NORTH!

Cape Breton duo’s mockumentary opens ALFF

Lately, while walking my dog, I’ve been listening to the podcast Shootin’ the Shit, with Tracy and Martina, and literally laughin’ out loud the entire time. Conceived of and performed by Justine Williamson and Greg Vardy, Tracy and Martina are fun-loving best friends from Cape Breton. The hilarious comedic duo is a hit on social media, beloved in Atlantic Canada and is now appearing in a feature mockumentary called Tracy and Martina: Goin’ Out West. Luckily for Yukoners, the Available Light Film Festival (ALFF) is hosting its western premiere.

Williamson and Vardy first introduced Tracy and Martina on YouTube over 10 years ago. Williamson plays Tracy, who has a long bouf-

fant hairdo, big eyebrows and a penchant for miniskirts and thighhigh boots. Vardy plays Martina, a divorced mom with bleach-blond hair who often wears ripped acidwash jeans and tucks a cigarette behind her ear. Throughout their friendship, they’ve stayed true to their motto, “Savin’ money, savin’ time, for getting loaded.”

“The magic of Tracy and Martina is they’re down-home girls,” says Vardy. “We talk about the same people, the same places and it’s just sort of, caught on.”

It didn’t take long for people to become “obsessed with the characters and to want to see them IRL [in real life],” says Williamson. They created a live show in 2014, centred on Martina’s son’s grad party (grad parties are a big deal in Cape Breton culture).They later performed live on Facebook and Instagram during the pandemic, telling funny stories about what

things were like during lockdown. They later adopted the same storytelling format for their podcast and live shows. While they’ve created one scripted series featuring Tracy and Martina, Williamson and Varga prefer the spontaneity of improvisation.

“Once we have our plot points, we just sit in front of the camera and—just like in our first YouTube videos—we try to make each other laugh,” says Varga. “We know our characters so well at this point that we can just slip into them, shoot the shit, tell each other stories; and we know that if we make each other laugh, it’s going to be good.”

While there have been conversations around catering to a broader audience, by being less regional, Williamson and Varga have remained true to their cul-

cont’d on page 3

Heather enjoys sharing stories about Yukoners with a passion for what they do, whether it’s making art, producing a play or running a business. And, there’s nothing she loves more than wandering the trails with her doodle-mix, Elvyn.

Freelance with Heather LeDuc

PHOTO: Aaron McKenzie Fraser Tracy and Martina, shootin’ the shit

tural roots, and it’s paid off. Tracy and Martina now have fans far beyond Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada, thanks to Shootin’ the Shit now being more widely accessible on the Trailer Park Boys Plus network.

“We trusted our gut and stuck to our guns,” Varga says. “The magic is that it is so regional, and then we were proven right when we started working with the Trailer Park Boys on their network, because all of a sudden we went from just Nova Scotia audiences, to people in Mississippi, like, people all over the world. It really resonated with them.”

Having already won over online audiences, touring the live show outside of Atlantic Canada seemed like an obvious next step for Tracy and Martina. So why, of all the provinces in Canada, did they choose Alberta?

“Oil fields,” says Williamson. “That is where Tracy and Martina would want to find a man … He’s got a rotation job, he’s got good money.”

Many of those men are Maritimers working in Alberta, and Tracy and Martina already had a following there—due, in part, to a video they made in 2015 called Camp Connection, which was about an adult hotline for lonely men in the oil fields to connect with women back home. The video went viral— even Williamson’s dad saw it while working in Fort McMurray. “Oh my god, that’s my daughter!” she recalls him exclaiming.

“We knew we had some traction [in Alberta] because people from home who worked in camps, were like, ‘Oh my god, you guys are celebrities out here.’”

Once they’d planned their Alberta tour, Williamson and Varga found their initial excitement faded when their itinerary seemed

to include some pretty sketchy hotels. So, on a whim, just a few days before they were leaving for Alberta, they decided to film their tour, originally to make content but ending up with a mockumentary.

They recruited their friend and frequent collaborator, Brendan Langelle Lyle, who goes by

TracyPHOTO:SubmittedbyJustineWilliamsonandGregVardy andMartina:Goin’OutWestfilmposter

“Moose,” to direct the film. This meant that every day, for four days, Williamson and Vardy would get into character, spend the entire day that way, perform their show in the evening, return to the hotel and continue filming for a few hours.

“We were fully method,” says Williamson wryly.

“[The filming] was very last minute but I’m so glad we did [that] because what we captured was so spontaneous, kinda like lightning in a bottle.”

Varga describes it as a mara-

thon, “nothing planned, completely improvised. It was magic, what we came up with.” He says the film is something like a cross between Peewee’s Big Adventure and The Simple Life, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s fish-outof-water reality show from the 2000s.

As if having Tracy and Martina: Goin’ Out West opening ALFF isn’t enough, there will also be a live performance. Williamson and Vardy say that the first half will consist of “story time” with Tracy and Martina, followed by improvised crowd interaction. Audience members are invited onstage to share what they’re “wondrin’ ’bout,” or what their “ﬂippin’

about,” so people interested in participating are encouraged to come prepared.

In the meantime, if you haven’t yet listened to their podcast, you can start binging on Shootin’ the Shit by following the social-media links on their website (tracyandmartina.com). Williamson and Varga can be found here: @itstracyhun and @yourgirlmartina on Instagram: Tracy and Martina: Goin’ Out West is screening on Friday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Yukon Arts Centre. Visit yukonfilmsociety.com/ alff/program/tracy-and-martinagoin-out-west for tickets.

The date and venue for the live podcast will be announced at yukonfilmsociety.com/alff/program in the ALFF program. ■

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PHOTO: Aaron McKenzie Fraser Tracy and Martina

BURNED THE BUILDING, BUT NOT THE BOND

Nearly a year has passed since the fire that destroyed the Tagish Community Centre and library on March 12, 2025—a moment that stopped the community in its tracks

In just a few hours, the heart of Tagish was gone.

For those unfamiliar with rural life, it can be hard to grasp how vital a shared gathering place truly is. In Tagish, the community centre was more than a building; it was where relationships were built, traditions lived on and everyday moments became memories.

The loss was felt deeply. Generations of gatherings—shared meals, conversations and celebrations—suddenly existed only in memory. Shock and heartbreak rippled through the community, but they were quickly followed by something just as powerful: resolve.

In the weeks after the fire, attention turned to what had to be done. The site was stabilized, debris cleared and safety measures put in place. Much of this work happened quietly, supported by local contractors, volunteers and community leaders navigating complex insurance and administrative processes that required patience and persistence. At the same time, the community faced a larger question: how to stay connected without a place to gather.

The answer came through creativity, determination and adaptability.

Even without a permanent facility, Tagish remained active. Programs, meetings and gatherings resumed in shared and temporary spaces. As spring turned to

summer, the commun-

summer, the community found ways to come together outdoors and in repurposed areas, proving that connection does not depend on walls and a roof.

came when familturned, offering a sense of

A small but meaningful turning point came when familiar weekly gatherings returned, offering a sense of normalcy and comfort. Over the summer, activities continued steadily, supported by strong volunteer involvement and consistently-good turnout. Fundraisers, community events and shared meals became not just opportunities to gather, but acts of resilience—reminders that the spirit of Tagish was very much intact.

sociation extends heartfelt thanks to the individuals, businesses and organizations, across the Yukon, who have stood alongside Tagish during this challenging time. That generosity has sustained the community and continues to inspire the work ahead.

Canada Day was a good example, bringing the community and surrounding areas together for a colourful parade of decorated vehicles followed by a barbecue where people shared stories and reconnected.

This fall marked a major milestone, with the arrival of a temporary structure, allowing regular programs and community meetings to continue while long-term rebuilding plans move forward. Behind the scenes, the Tagish Community Association continues to work with partners and government contacts, to explore options, secure resources and navigate the permitting process for a permanent community centre. While this work takes time, the goal remains clear: to open the doors as soon as possible and restore a lasting gathering space for the community.

Support over the past year has come in many forms—volunteer hours, shared expertise, donations and words of encouragement. The Tagish Community As-

Fundraising remains an essential part of the rebuilding journey. A recent highlight was participation in the Southern Lakes Market Loop in early December.

Even without a permanent space, Tagish set up tables at Carcross Haa Shagóon Hidi and the Marsh Lake Community Centre, with neighbouring communities stepping in to help. The event featured homemade cookies and cakes, as well as Tagish Rebuild hoodies, T-shirts and the Tagish Community Cookbook. While the baked goods were a special treat for the day, the hoodies, T-shirts and cookbook remain available, with all proceeds supporting rebuilding efforts.

The road to rebuilding is long, but Tagish is moving forward together.

The fire may have taken a building, but it did not take the bond that holds this community together.

Contact recreation@tagishyukon.org for more information. ■

Southern Lakes Market Loop features “Rebuild Tagish” hoodies

PHOTO: Martina van Ghemen

NASH THE SLASH RISES AGAIN! A CUT FLOWERS

ALFF screenings will be held at the Yukon Arts Centre and the Yukon Theatre

This year’s Available Light Film Festival (ALFF) is absolutely packed, with over 50 films screening in Whitehorse at the Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) and the Yukon Theatre over the course of 10 days, from Feb. 6 to 15.

The ALFF has seen considerable growth since its original edition in 2006, with esteemed directors, artists and industry personnel attending each year. This year, a cornerstone of the festival’s programming is a screening of the music film Nash the Slash Rises Again!, a documentary chronicling the career of the enigmatic Canadian electronic music innovator who began developing a cult following in the 1970s, largely in and around Toronto.

“Nash the Slash was this sort of figure that loomed large in my childhood,” says co-writer and director Tim Kowalski. “I’d see him on TV wielding a skull mandolin, and he captured my attention with his weird sound and getup.”

When Kowalski was working his first job out of high school, a colleague who claimed to have played on Nash’s first record would tell Kowalski stories about the artist, furthering his intrigue. Nash was known for wearing bandages over his entire face and was rumoured to look like Elton John underneath them. It was also whispered around the Toronto area that he lived in a movie theatre with a recording studio inside of it.

“Part of me thought this guy was pulling my leg or something,” says Kowalski. “But another part of me thought it sounded like a weird movie. That kind of planted a seed in my head and it just stayed in the back of my mind.”

When Nash the Slash died in 2014, Kowalski began to research his backstory, to find that much of what he’d heard in his youth about the artist was true and that it would indeed make a weird movie. He started to put out feelers to see if anyone in his circles would be interested in putting their heads together to make a documentary. He ended up with a small group of like-minded film-industry personnel, all of whom had also been fascinated by Nash the Slash’s story.

“Long story short, here we are,” Kowalski says.

Toronto-based filmmaker and musician Kevan Byrne, Kowalski’s co-writer and director on the feature documentary, initially discovered Nash the Slash through a job working in a used record store.

“At some point or another, every record that’s ever been made will cross your path, so you investigate and listen,”

Byrne says. “So, of course, Nash’s first couple of records came in and they were interesting, largely instrumental, quasi-electronic—his weird balance between electronic and analog music—and so, I thought it was really intriguing.”

LIVE PERFORMANCE

At first, Byrne wasn’t aware of the mythology that surrounded the artist. He didn’t even know about the bandages. But when Nash’s name started to rise, Byrne was surprised to see the artist whose music he’d come across, years before, was still at it.

“It was very odd and unusual that someone would play for so long and try to maintain that persona,” says Byrne. “I thought there must be a story behind why someone would spend three, four decades pursuing, so single-mindedly, this one vision.”

When Kowalski and Byrne start-

ed working together, the main question hanging over them was whether they should aim to preserve Nash’s ambiguity or tell his true story. Ultimately, they decided to unravel the bandages slowly, exploring the mythology of Nash the Slash, before revealing his human side.

“The way I saw it, we were almost handed this thing on a silver platter,” says Kowalski. “We wanted to make this film not like your typical music documentary. A lot of music filmmakers might be compelled to strip it down to the bare bones and give you every-

thing up front, but I thought that wouldn’t be as fun.

“Nash had a really playful nature. He was dark and mysterious and all that, but he was also playful. I thought, It’s good to play with the audience a bit and build up questions to grip the viewer. I’m glad it worked because it was a pretty big gamble to go that way.”

Both Kowalski and Byrne are ﬂying up from Toronto to attend ALFF. Byrne has been to the Yukon before, to perform at Frostbite Music Festival, some 20 years ago, but this will be Kowalski’s first

visit.

“I’m really, really looking forward to it,” he says. “I’ve got to get packed up here and find someone to feed my cat.” Byrne is a long-time friend of ALFF director Andrew Connors. They’re both originally from Guelph, Ontario, and met in university. They’ve stayed in touch over the years despite the distance, now, between them, and Connors would occasionally visit Toronto and watch Byrne’s band, at the time (King Cobb Steelie), perform. Connors even chatted with Byrne about his work on Nash the Slash Rises Again! and it only made sense to apply for a showing at the ALFF, especially as Connors encouraged Byrne to do so.

Before the film’s screening, which takes place Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. at the Yukon Theatre, Byrne will play a set of music accompanied by Jordy Walker. He’ll mostly be showcasing songs from his new project, Cut Flowers, but hopes to bring back a few King Cobb Steelie songs, and promises to play one Nash the Slash cover to close his set.

Visit yukonfilmsociety.com/ alff to see the full program (including screening times and locations) and to learn more about each film selection and the events at ALFF, as well as to purchase festival passes or tickets to individual screenings.

Nash the Slash Rises Again! has already premiered in Toronto, as well as in London, England, and will grace more film festivals and undergo limited theatrical runs this year. So far, the reception has been good—maybe even too good for Kowalski.

“It’s been really positive, actually, more than we could have hoped,” he says. “I have to keep pinching myself.” ■

Manus Hopkins is a journalist and musician who grew up in Whitehorse.

PHOTO: Submitted by Available Light Film Festival Nash the Slash Rises Again! will screen Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. at the Yukon Theatre

ENTER YOUR EVENTS ON-LINE

ART SHOWS

Until Jan 31 The Glorious Diversity of Life by Benoit Godin Arts Underground Held in the Focus Gallery.

Until Jan 31 Integration/ Transformation by Françoise La Roche Arts Underground Held in the Edge Gallery.

Until Jan 31 Other Sides - Dee Bailey’s Final Exhibit YAAW –Yukon Artists at Work Dee left behind a collection of finished and unfinished pieces. In honour of her vision, Dee’s artist friends completed her unfinished works, forming a posthumous collaboration rooted in care, creativity, and connection.

Until Feb 20 The Spirit of Guiding YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery a celebration of connection, growth, and community. https:// yukonartscentre.com/

Until Feb 20 Dark Waters by David Garneau YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Rocks and books and bones, shadows and light, and the balance between these things and presented through the dual lens of publication. https://yukonartscentre.com/

Until Feb 20 Superbloom: A Climate Resilience Project YAC Yukon Arts Centre Gallery Inspired by the fireweed blooming like a river in Ethel Lake following the fire, community members created this visual art project. https:// yukonartscentre.com/

Until Feb 28 Taking ShapeExplorations in Felt YAAW Yukon Artists at Work 3 Northern Fibres Guild artists to showcase their works, Toos Omtzigt, Carolyn Steel Lane, Janet Patterson.

LIVE MUSIC

Mon Jan 26 Music at the CGC - The Trout Quintet

5:30 PM Canada Games Centre Free 1 hour concert featuring Schubert’s famous work performed by Keiko

Fujise, Morgan Ostrander, Pam Sinclair, Sarah Hanncock and Yuko Komatsu.https:// whitehorseconcerts.com

Thu Jan 29 Fiddle Night with Ellorie McNight & Friends 8:00

PM 98 Hotel Experience the joy of Fiddle Night with Ellorie McNight & Friends, celebrating fiddle traditions at the ’98 Hotel.

Fri Jan 30 Album Release - Cryptozoologists with special guests The Bleeders

7:00 PM Old Fire Hall A evening celebrating the Cryptozoologists new album, Backwater Station, with special guests the Bleeders. https:// yukonartscentre.com/whats-on/ album-release-cryptozoologistswith-special-guests-thebleeders/

Sun Feb 1 The Trout Quintet

2:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Featuring Schubert’s famous work performed by Keiko Fujise, Morgan Ostrander, Pam Sinclair, Sarah Hanncock and Yuko Komatsu, with opening piano solo by Hannah Roth. https:// whitehorseconcerts.com

Thu Feb 5 Fiddle Night with Sarah Hamilton & Friends 8:00

PM 98 Hotel Experience the joy of Fiddle Night with Sarah Hamilton & Friends, celebrating fiddle traditions at the ’98 Hotel weekly.

Fri Feb 6 DJ Party on the Ski Trails 6:00 PM Whitehorse Nordic Centre Skiing and dancing? Why not! Join us at Harvey’s Hut and kick off your weekend the right way..

Fri Feb 6 & Sat Feb 7 Yukon

African Music Festival 2026 6:00 PM Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre Experience the joy of African music and dance, featuring the iconic Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, and gifted artists who will bring the sounds and spirit of Africa.

Sat Feb 7 Ashton Bachman & Scout Shorefox 7:00 PM

Lefty’s Well West Coast sounds, blending ska, reggae and blues into a unique fusion

Sat Feb 7 Folk coffeehouse featuring Gordie Tentrees and the open stage 7:00 PM Lewis Hall at Whitehorse United Church Sign up in person starting at 6 pm, and you get 12 minutes to perform

Thu Feb 12 Fiddle Night with Stockstill & Rose 8:00 PM 98 Hotel Experience the joy of Fiddle Night with Stockstill & Rose, celebrating fiddle traditions at the ’98 Hotel weekly.

Thu Feb 12 Muster Point Baked Series: Jordy Walker 6:30 PM Baked Cafe Guest artist Jordy is a musician, composer, record producer, and sound artist. https://subscribepage.io/ cjW9Gd

Monthly

First Saturday Folk Society Coffeehouse 6:30 PM Whitehorse United Church. an all ages event that provides a venue for audiences to enjoy emerging local performers. Bring cash to buy coffee, tea, and tasty treats!

Weekly

Tuesdays

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well

Wednesdays

Music Jam 6:00 PM Northlight

Foursquare Church

Intermediate Jam - Bluegrass & Old Time 7:00 PM Whitehorse Legion bi-weekly Hosted by the Yukon Bluegrass Society Whitewater Wednesday 7:00 PM 98 Hotel

Karaoke 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well Thursdays

Muster Point 6:30 PM Baked Cafe Muster Point live and featuring a rotating lineup of local guest artists.

Ginger Jam 7:00 PM Lefty’s Well

Fiddle Night 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

Fridays

Live Music 6:00 PM Tony’s Pasta & Seafood House

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well

Live Music 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

Saturdays

Live Music 8:00 PM Lefty’s Well

Sundays Open Jam 8:00 PM 98 Hotel

GENERAL EVENTS

Mon Jan 26 From Pricing to Profit - Pricing your Handmade Goods 9:00 AM NorthLight Innovation Learn how to calculate the true cost of your products — and explore pricing strategies that support your business goals. https://www. whitehorsechamber.ca/ Mon Jan 26 Indigenous Cultural Appropriation Panel 6:00 PM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Stormy Bradley, Angela Code and Heather Von Steinhagen as they discuss the impacts of Indigenous cultural appropriation on northern artists. Teagyn Vallevand will be moderating. Email chez_mh@ yahoo.ca for more info.

Tue Jan 27 Whitehorse Connects 10:00 AM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre A community-wide event that brings together health, legal, income, housing, and social service providers under one roof. www.yapc.ca

Tue Jan 27 Dare to CreateOne Night of Self Expression 6:00 PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Open to everyone ages 10 to 25 please. All genders, non-binary, LGBTQ+ . Snacks and drinks, and the jackets, patches, paint pens, and other items provided. https://whatsupyukon.events/ n1a

regs, wildlife management, field techniques and much more. Email or call coservices@yukon. ca - 667-8005 for more info. https://www.huntercourse.com/ canada/yukon/ Tue Jan 27 Creative Calm

- Zentangle Landscape Illustration 6:30 PM Ricky’s All Day Grill Whitehorse A guided session, Learn how to slowly build a landscape using easy patterns and flowing lines. https://majesticvp.wixsite.com/ majesticvp

Wed Jan 28 & Thu Feb 29 Yukon First Nations Health & Wellness Summit Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre A great opportunity to connect with healthcare systems, individuals, and to learn about health transformation and health and wellness in the Yukon. https:// tinyurl.com/46ttv9kp

Thu Jan 29 Banff Mountain Film Festival – Crevasse Program 7:30 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Crevasse Program selection, showing short films: Jaunt, Bridgers, Beyond Parallels, One Step Ahead, Trail to Bayanihan and Reel Rock: Riders on the Storm. Total film length will run about 2 hrs. https:// yukonartscentre.com/whats-on/ banff-mountain-film-festivalcrevasse-program/ Fri Jan 30 Weaving Workshop - Krokbragd Yukon University Learn the 3-shaft Scandinavian weaving technique Krokbragdemail northernfibres@gmail.com for more info.

Fri Jan 30 After Dark Series: Cribbage Yukon Brewing Fri Jan 30 Banff Mountain Film Festival – Moraine Program 7:30 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Moraine Program selection, showing short films: Cold CallsJapan, The Hive Architect, Best Day Ever, Deluge, Dissidence and A Baﬃn Vacation, Love on Ice. Total film length will run about 2 hrs. https://

Tue Jan 27 Woman’s Hunter Education & Ethics Course 6:00 PM Yukon University Learn how to be a responsible and ethical hunter, hunting laws &

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AUSSIE GIRL

LESSONS IN TRAVELLING WITH A BABY

First lesson: Don’t travel with a baby…

But, if you do need to or really really want to travel with a baby, here are some things to expect from your trip:

24/7 attention

You know that really safe space you have at home? The one with your baby’s favourite toys? The one that has been baby-proofed? Well, on holidays you will no longer have this safe, fun space for your baby, and this will require you to provide 24/7 supervision.

Hotel rooms are death traps for babies, with cables and sharp objects. If your baby is walking, placing them down could result in any of a multitude of dramas. And this is ongoing, non-stop, 24 hours a day. Your entire trip will require your undivided attention. That means no breaks—and even with two parents, that can be exhausting.

Naps, naps, naps

Who knew that the most-important aspect of having a child was their sleep schedule? Well, it is. Not eating or playing. Sleeping. Why? Because if they don’t sleep, they become gremlins, and nobody likes taking care of a gremlin. While on holidays, you used to be able to care less about time and enjoy being on holidays. Well, with a baby you need to ensure that they get their naps and bedtime in. This is even more difficult if you have changed

time zones completely. So instead of enjoying your time away from work and responsibilities, you now have a more-difficult time managing counting hours throughout the day for your baby’s naps.

Eating out all the time

You would think that not having to cook or go out to do grocery shopping would be a luxury because it means eating out. Well, not with a baby. When you walk into a restaurant, everyone

gives you death stares because they know you’re about to ruin their meal with a screaming, annoying baby. A key trick to surviving is to eat outside, if you have that option, or to order take-out.

Baby “friendliness”

How baby-friendly a place is may depend on the country you are visiting. Generally, we’ve

stuck to baby-friendly countries such as Japan and Fiji (that goes a long way in having people enjoy babies). In Fiji, our waiters took care of our baby while we ate! It was a luxury, for sure, and a country we highly recommend visiting.

Travelling with a baby isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s for the strong-willed and stubborn. And it can bring magical experiences, as well as some of the worst. Would I recommend travelling with a baby? No. ■

Kylie Campbell-Clarke

Kylie Campbell-Clarke is an Australian-Canadian writer and photographer exploring the Yukon.

PHOTOS: Kylie Campbell-Clarke

yukonartscentre.com/whats-on/ banff-mountain-film-festivalmoraine-program/

Sat Jan 31 Ecstatic Dance Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) Ecstatic Dance is a freeform, un-choreographed dance practice where participants move to music without specific steps

Sat Jan 31 & Sun Feb 1 Winter

Storytelling Festival Kwanlin

Dun Cultural Centre A weekendlong gathering featuring local First Nations storytellers and knowledge keepers sharing stories through writing, dance, film, and more, with activities for all ages.

Sun Feb 1 Dance Temple

Whitehorse 1:00 PM Vista Outdoor Learning Center a conscious community ecstatic dance where people are invited to move freely!

Tue Feb 3 - Thu Feb 5 YAWC

- Mental Health & Wellness Conference Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Collective Healing, Many Paths to Wellness’ focus on practical, accessible approaches to mental wellness through dialogue, education, and connection. https://whatsupyukon.events/ c4f249

Wed Feb 4 Strength Based Leadership 9:00 AM NorthLight Innovation Learn how to use your unique strengths to be a leader, regardless of your role. https://www. whitehorsechamber.ca/

Thu Feb 5 Business After Hours 5:00 PM SKKY Hotel Welcoming the local business community for an exclusive after-hours look at our newly refreshed spaces. https://whatsupyukon. events/1111a3

Thu Feb 5 Workshop - Glass Bird Mosaics 6:00 PM Arts Underground Join mosaic artist Riley Brennan for a no-stress workshop creating your own little glass mosaic bird. Students will learn basic glass nipping, and a fast method for adhering and grouting. https://www. artsunderground.ca/

Thu Feb 5 Palm - Fly Fishing Film Festival 7:00 PM Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre https://www. imakeanonlinedonation.org/ Fri Feb 6 Live Comedy - Ryan Belleville ft. Keith Sarnoski 7:00 & 9:30 PM Boiler Room Lounge One of Canada’s top comedian’s, Ryan Belleville, joined fellow headliner out of Edmonton, Keith Sarnoski. https://whatsupyukon.events/ ckh

Fri Feb 6 & Sat Feb 7 Yukon

African Music Festival 2026

6:00 PM Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre Experience the joy of African music and dance, featuring the iconic Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, and gifted artists who will bring the sounds and spirit of Africa.

Fri Feb 6 Workplace Violence Prevention & De-escalation Training 9:00 AM NorthLight Innovation Enhance your team’s safety and confidence with ARETE’s unique and engaging

workplace violence prevention de-escalation training. https:// whatsupyukon.events/b6d534

Fri Feb 6 - Sun Feb 16 Available Light Film Festival 2026 5:00 AM Yukon Theatre The 24th annual festival will bring to Whitehorse 100+ films, ALFF LIVE, media art, and ALFF Industry panels + presentations. https://yukonfilmsociety.com/ alff

Sat Feb 7 Yukon Rugby Annual Awards & Banquet 5:30 PM Whitehorse Curling Club A home-cooked meal, good company and to celebrate our rugby community! 50/50 draw, silent auction, and community awards. Info: email yukonrugbyfederation@gmail. com

Sat Feb 7 Live ComedyRyan Belleville ft. Keith Sarnoski 7:00 PM Boiler Room Lounge One of Canada’s top comedian’s, Ryan Belleville, joined fellow headliner out of Edmonton, Keith Sarnoski. https://whatsupyukon.events/ ckh

Sun Feb 8 Art WorkshopFelted butterfly and flower 1:00 PM YAAW Yukon Artists at Work This is a beginner-friendly class, with all supplies provided. https://yaaw.com/hands-onarts-experiences

Monthly

First Thursdays Pinetree Quilters 7:00 PM Whitehorse United Church.

2nd Monday Ukulele Group 6:00 PM Golden Age Society salvin@northwestel.net

2nd Monday Whitehorse Slow Jam 7:00 PM Golden Age Society

Last Thursdays Repair

Cafe 6:00 PM Yukonstruct Makespace Bring it in and see if it is fixable using soldering irons, multimeters, and other tools. This easy introduction to electronics and small home appliance repair is a useful evening of DIY learning that you can take home.

2nd Thursday Music Trivia 7:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Come on out and test your music knowledge! Teams of no more than 6 people.

Last Friday Pioneer Women of Yukon 12:00 PM Golden Age Society

2nd & 4th Sundays Grade 8 – 12 High School Youth Group 6:00 PM Mountainview Church A positive place for your teen to hang out on the weekend. Take part in games and activities, learn about the Bible, and deepen faith. https:// mountainview.church/connect/ youth

3rd Sundays Square and Contra Dance Dance Series 7:00 PM The Other Room” at the Guild Hall no experience necessary - a caller walks through all you need to know Weekly

Mondays

Mtg: Competitive Commander 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Women’s Bible Study 6:00

PM Women’s Bible Study. Refreshments are served followed by the study. For more info check out www. mountainview.church or email rachel@mountainview.church. Ukulele Group 6:00 PM Golden Age Society Euchre - For Members and Signed in Guests 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Euchre a trick-taking card game for four players, two on each team, As a member you Beginner ASL Class & Social Hang 6:15 Queer Yukon Society - The Cache Drawing Club 6:30 PM Arts Underground Join like minded artists in the studio for a free drawing club. Bring your own supplies and be creative in a group environment. https:// www.artsunderground.ca/events Tuesdays

Common Threads Prayer Shawl Ministry 9:30 AM Church of the Northern Apostles. Bridge 12:00 PM Golden Age Society Café de l’amitié 2:00 PM Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY) Le Café de l’amitié est un rendez-vous hebdomadaire et une occasion de rassemblement pour les francophones de 50 ans et plus.

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer Yukon Society The Cache Language Skills for Ukrainians 5:15 PM Yukon Learn A discussion group workshop provides a relaxed and friendly environment where learners can practise and learn English conversation skills. Weekly Shuffleboard Tournament 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 For members and signed in guests. A double knockout style competition and games are limited to 6 ends or 15 minutes Chess Club 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles Love Chess? Want to learn? Looking for Competition? Join us! SuperSmash Bros, Mtg: Commander 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles 10 Card Crib - Members & Signed In Guests 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Whether you are a seasoned crib player or a beginner, come play! Learn tips and tricks and have some fun! https://bit. ly/3KP0B5s Wednesdays

Keep Fit 10:30 AM Church of the Northern Apostles.Come stretch and breathe with us! Multicultural Connection Group 11:00 AM Multicultural Centre of the Yukon – MCY Connect with other parents and caregivers, learn about parenting in different cultures. A free lunch program for immigrants and refugee families. Lunch and transportation provided. Call 332-1803 for more info.

Spanish Conversation 12:00 PM Whitehorse United Church Call 333-6081 for more info.

Sew & Tell All – Elders Hangout

1:00 PM Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Facilitated by Kwanlin Dün Elder-in-Residence Shirley Smith, everyone welcome. Feel free to join and start a beading project or work on something that you’ve already started! For more info email culturalprograms@kdcc.ca

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache Drop-in Sewing 4:00 PM Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Facilitated by Donna Norman, bring your own projects, connect with others, and finish those works-in-progress. Open, welcoming space to sew, share, and create together.

Texas Hold’ Em 6:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 For sign in members and guests. Bragging rights!

Mtg: Modern, Warhammer Age of Sigmar 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Thursdays

Public Speaking TrainingToastmasters 12:00 PM Decora Guests are always welcome. There are many roles to learn at Toastmasters. Practice 2 minute table topics

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache Pathfinder Role-Playing Game for Youth 3:30 PM Whitehorse Public Library Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Find out what role playing games are all about! Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are always welcome.

Mtg: casual Commander, Warhammer 40k & Kill Team 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Mountainview Church

Community Group 7:00 PM 16 years or older? Mountainview Church Community Group! We’ll share some snacks and talk about what the bible has to say about discipleship.

Fridays

Coffee & Chat 11:00 AM Golden Age Society Coffee and chat is a way to connect with your community, develop friendships,

and have fun.

QYS Drop-in 2:00 PM Queer

Yukon Society The Cache

Mtg: Pioneer, YuGiOh Casual 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Saturdays

Yukon Amateur Radio

Association Coffee Discussion Group 8:45 AM A&W Restaurant Hams from outside the Yukon and those interested are welcome to join us in this casual event.

Cribbage - Members and Signed in Guests 2:00 PM Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 Masks are mandatory. Members must have a valid 2021 membership and they may sign in 2 guests MAX.

Pokemon, Mtg: Youth Magic, Lorcana 6:00 PM Titan Gaming and Collectibles

Sundays

Mountainview Church Sunday Service 9:30 AM Church In The Building 9:30 AM, 11AM or Church At Home 7 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM Mountainviewwhitehorse.

ca/Watch

Anglican Worship Service 10:00 AM Christ Church Cathedral.

Church Service 5:30 PM

Northlight Foursquare Church

Clothing Room 10:00 AM

Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene Free of charge to anyone and everyone

Whitehorse United Church Worship Service 10:30 AM

A caring community of faith, based on a foundation of Biblical teaching and spiritual truth

Secondhand Clothing Bizarre

2:00 PM Whitehorse SeventhDay Adventist Church Clean clothes needed and donations accepted if in good condition. Please call before dropping clothes off and for more info 633-3463.

School-age Discovery

Zone 2:00 PM The Northern Collective Church

Sunday Gatherings 3:00 PM

The Northern Collective Church

The Gathering (Anglican Indigenous Service) 5:00

PM Christ Church Cathedral

A celebration of faith, reconciliation, and hospitality.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Fri Jan 30 Crochet 101 - for newcomer youth 6:30 PM Yukon Literacy Coalition Learn basic crochet techniques and make a simple handmade item in a relaxed and friendly space. No experience needed — beginners are welcome! All materials provided - Free to join Sun Feb 1 Mr. Turf 4:00 PM YAC Yukon Arts Centre Mr. Turf blends acrobatics, juggling, balancing and unicycling into a vibrant display of clowning arts, as he turns each show into a joyful journey of laughter and wonder. https://yukonartscentre. com/whats-on/mr-turf/

Monthly

1st & 3rd

Saturdays Grades

5 - 7 Junior Youth Group

7:00 PM Mountainview Church Passionate about giving kids opportunities to have fun & make new friends, while teaching them about Jesus & His great love for our world https://mountainview.church/ connect/youth

2nd and 4th

Saturdays Grade

8 - 12 High School Youth

Group 7:00 PM Mountainview

Church A positive place for your teen to hang out on the weekend. Take part in games and activities, learn about the Bible, and deepen faith. https:// mountainview.church/connect/ youth

Weekly

Tuesdays

Parent-Child Mother

Goose 10:30 AM The Child Development Centre Celebrates the power and pleasure of songs, rhymes and oral stories. Bonding time with your little one or to learn for later.

Thursdays Transformations Along The Chu

Nikwän 1:30 PM Yukon Visitor Information Centre Join Amber for a free walking tour every Thursday along the Whitehorse waterfront to learn about the Yukon First Nations people and the history of the Yukon.

Pathfinder Role-Playing Game for Youth 3:30 PM Whitehorse Public Library Youth 11-17 are invited to join, no experience necessary.

Saturdays

Science Saturdays 11:00 AM Whitehorse Public Library Free Drop-In Science and STEM Activities - no need to registerFor children to compete with a parent or guardian!

MEETINGS

Fri Feb 13 Whitehorse Disc Golf Assoc. AGM 7:00 PM Winterlong Brewing Co. Your chance to make your voice heard and help shape how disc golf happens in the Yukon - PIZZA + DRINK TOKENS + DOOR PRIZES!

Weekly

Tuesdays

Rendezvous Rotary 6:30 PM Tony’s Pasta and Seafood House Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Tony’s Pasta and Seafood. Come and join us for fun, and fellowship.

Thursdays

Toastmasters Decora 12:00 PM Sundogs Toastmasters Club. The club is open to all interested parties and we provide constructive feedback to help develop public speaking skills.

Monthly

First Monday Klondike Snowmobile Association Board Meeting 7:00 PM Sport Yukon https://ksa.yk.ca/comingevents/

First Monday Yukon Amateur Radio Association Monthly Meeting 7:00 PM EMO Building Discussion of club business.

Prospective hams are welcome.

Third Thursday Yukon AntiPoverty Coalition Monthly Meeting 5:00 PM Lewis Hall (Whitehorse United Church). For more information: 334-9317 or info@yapc.ca. Everyone is welcome.

Third Thursday Alpine Yukon Board meetings 7:00 PM Sport Yukon

Third Thursday ASAY board monthly meeting 7:00 PM Sport Yukon

ONLINE EVENTS

Tuesdays

Anglican Men’s Remote Chat 10:00 AM Zoom don_ cheeseman@msn.com for the link. Regular churchgoer or just curious, this is a welcoming, nopressure time for conversation

AA Juste Pour Aujourd’hui (C) 5:00 PM, Zoom ID 833 9614 4061 mot de passe 0 ou telephone 1-587-328-1099

Restorative Online Healing Circles 7:30 PM Online Checkin, Q&A, connect and feel the results. No experience necessary. Register online, or call 335-0078 or email alison@ alisonzeidler.com for more info.

Thursdays

AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:30 PM Online Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 pc 6y2K8a or phone 1-587-328-1099

Fridays

AA Yukon Unity Group @ 1:30 pm (O) Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 passcode 6y2K8a or phone 1-587-328-1099

Saturdays

AA Detox Meeting (OM, NS) 1:00 PM Online For Zoom Room address call 334-7693. AA Yukon Unity Group (O) 1:00 PM Online Zoom ID 868 3045 2752 pc 6y2K8a or phone 1-587328-1099

Sundays AA Yukon

AVAILABLE LIGHT FILM FESTIVAL ʻ26 ▶ FEBRUARY

TUESDAY, FEB. 10

Indigenous Land & Communities FRIDAY, FEB. 13

Talk: Documentary Films

Last Call in the North Documentary

Indigenous Land & Communities FRIDAY, FEB. 13 Shorts Program YT ALFF Talk:

The Secret Agent YAC

Kevan Byrne with Jordy Walker YT

Documentary

Agent

Nash the Slash Rises Again! YT

Documentary

The Moment: Brat Summer YAC

Documentary Nash the Slash Rises Again! YT

Documentary

The Moment: Brat Summer YAC

THE SELF-CREATED BEING

James Kirby’s magical and creative journey on

the left hand path

Jessica Hall first made a film about the late James Kirby in 2017, during summer solstice. The short documentary was called Left Hand Path and it introduced Kirby as both an artist and as a priest in the Temple of Set, an esoteric occult belief system. For much of the film, Kirby is occupied with creating a scarab from silver, using the lost-wax technique. The beetle is a Setian symbol meaning “to come into being as one’s own true self.”

Shortly after the Left Hand Path was shot, Kirby learned that he had terminal cancer. Hall was able to show him the finished film before he died on Halloween, 2017. He died on his own terms: he was one of the first Yukoners to choose medically-assisted, induced death. His partner, Claire Strauss, says that Kirby “knew exactly how he wanted to script his final days.”

This observation is made by Strauss in Hall’s 2026 feature documentary called Beyond the Left Hand Path. A friend of Hall’s suggested that there was more to Kirby’s story than was told in the 2017 short. And so, Hall turned her focus to her friend once again.

“I wanted to give James more

of a voice in the second film, to give him a chance … to share his magical journey specifically, and his art journey specifically.”

Beyond the Left Hand Path features additional footage from the 2017 film shoot, including more conversations with Kirby. Hallww

also conducted interviews with Strauss; Kirby’s daughter, Alicia; his brother, Kelly; his best friend, Bud Young; as well as with many other family members, friends, teachers and students. We see not only how Kirby saw the world but also his impact on those he was close to.

Then he suddenly grins at the camera and says, “And welcome to this film.” It’s funny, and charming, and it breaks the intensity of the scene, even more so because he’s disappointed when Hall says she’s not going to use the moment in the film.

The second film goes deeper into Kirby’s quest to become his “own true self.” This includes his art practice, which is marked by three phases, according to the material he was using: the first being bone, the second is stone, and the third is metal. Alongside Kirby’s creative evolution, we also learn of his initiation into the Temple of Set, which he describes as “putting yourself on a spiritual path” and “working on it for the rest of your life.”

For Kirby, his artistic and religious journeys were intertwined.

“I prefer to learn and choose my own path in Life and Art, as the two are synonymous for my Self,” Kirby wrote in an artist statement for a stonework called The Raven, which is now in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.

“The artistic path and the magical path are essentially the same path,” echoes Don Webb, a prior High Priest of the Temple of Set, who took on Kirby’s initiation. “James started resculpting himself so he was a better human being.”

“People often do get afraid with what James represents,” Hall says, when I admitted that I found Kirby intimidating at times. “He fully embraces his dark side; he has no qualms about wearing the inverted pentagram.”

Kirby could be both charismatic and polemic, says Hall. But he was also kind. When interviewed in the film, his friend Nicole Bauberger provides insight into his “scary” persona, and she likens him to one of Maurice Sendak’s Wild Things.

“He projected a somewhatbristly exterior,” Bauberger says, “but before long I realized that his motivating passions were parenting and teaching, and a lot of his scariness was meant to—it seemed to me—to protect the tenderness of his heart.”

This tenderness is evident in Kirby’s love for his family and his friends. His stepdaughters, Michelle and Sabrina Williams, remember him for the food he provided to the family. He would “cook us anything we wanted,” says Michelle, while Sabrina recalls that she never “experienced that much food with anyone else.”

To help us understand Kirby as a Setian priest, the film takes us to his home and studio in Mary Lake, where he practised black magic. In one scene, he wears a black robe and carries a carved wooden sceptre adorned with the Egyptian god Set.

There is a pentagram altar where he performed rituals. At one point, Kirby raises his staff and says, “Hail, Set, Prince of Darkness, and welcome to our world!”

His daughter Alicia speaks of how her father likely took on work counselling abusive men, in response to undisclosed trauma that she had experienced in her past. There are photographs of Alicia in Kirby’s studio, where she carved ivory and stone alongside him. At one point in the film, Kirby shows a sculpture that Alicia carved in serpentine, clearly proud of his daughter’s talent.

PHOTOS: Jessica Hall

James Kirby in his carving station

James Kirby with his sceptre

CARCROSS

Second Sunday of Every Month

St. Saviour’s Church Services 2:00 pm St. Saviour Church 867668-3129

First Friday of the month Mother Goose Group 11:00 AM Haa Shagóon Hídi (Our Ancestors House) Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre Learn stories, songs, and rhymes, lunch provided. Suitable for babies and children 5 and under. Please bring along a water bottle and blanket to sit on. To register, call 332-2389. https:// whatsupyukon.events/jwf Weekly

Wednesdays

Yoga with Richard Mueller 12:00 PM Carcross Firehall Free for everyone some fitness required.

Thursdays

Yoga with Jess Ghùch Tlâ Community School Beginners

welcome, all equipment provided. Drop-in, Free admission! For more info email yogajessyukon@ gmail.com.

Sundays

Sunday Mass 3:00 PM St. John the Baptist Church

CARMACKS

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

Sunshine Restaurant Carmacks Rec Centre CDC / CIBC Bank Tatchun Center General Store

Mon Jan 26 New Year Art

Journaling – Adult Night Carmacks Recreation Centre Express your goals for the new year - play around with some new art supplies and leave with an art journal you can continue

for the rest of the year! Email emilystudios@outlook.com for more info.

Fri Feb 6 - Sun Feb 8 Carmacks

Cup 2026 Carmacks Recreation Centre 8 teams max, prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Call 332-1804 for more info

Fri Feb 13 - Sun Feb 16

Sweetheart Bonspiel Carmacks Recreation Centre FridayKaraoke and Saturday Dance! Call 336-4064 for more info.

First & Third Tuesdays of Every Month Carmacks Regular Council Meeting 7:00 PM Carmacks Municipal Building Weekly Mondays Carmacks

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at:

• Dawson City General Store

Mon Jan 26 & Thu Jan 29

Garden Talk 7:00 PM Dawson Community Library Learn the basics of soil blocking with Helen Dowell and Erin Dixon. Tues Jan 27 Beaded Earring Youth Workshop 3:30 PM K’ajit-in Zho – Youth House Choose your own design with all materials provided. Call 993-4178 for more info.

Fri Feb 13 An Evening with Destroyer 7:30 PM Dënäkär Zho & KIAC Ballroom Dan Bejar started Destroyer as a solo home-recording project. musical leaps of faith, statements of purpose cloaked in subterfuge, and the joyous refrain of an optimist’s heart cloaked in cynicism. https:// kiac.ca/

Weekly

Mondays

Handbuilding Pottery Dropin 6:30-9 PM Self-guided group studio time for those who have some knowledge and experience with pottery. Newcomers are welcome, though little instruction is provided. KIAC Classroom, back door

Drop-In Pickleball 5:30 PM

Robert Service School

Adult Drop-In Basketball 7:45

PM Robert Service School

Ages 16+ -Free Call 993-7400 ext 299 for more info.

Tuesdays

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM St

Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

St Paul’s Anglican Church Evening Prayer 5:00 PM St

Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

Hand-Building Pottery DropIn 6:30 PM Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) Selfguided group studio time for those with some experience with pottery. Newcomers are welcome, little instruction is provided.

Wednesdays

St Paul’s Anglican Church Morning Prayer 9:00 AM St Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

St Paul’s Anglican Church Evening Prayer 5:00 PM St

Paul’s Anglican Church Join us in person at the church, or online (Facebook Live)

Welcome Wednesday Supper and Games 6:00 PM St Paul’s Anglican Church

QYS Drop-in 1:00 PM DCMF

Oﬃce

Screen Printing Drop-in 6:00

PM Klondike Institute of Art & Culture KIAC Classroom (enter via backdoor) Self-guided group studio time for those who have some knowledge and experience with screen printing.

Dawson City Disc Golf League

8:00 PM Crocus Bluff Disc Golf Course simple, welcoming league for all skill levels

Thursdays

CDC Toddler Program 10:00

AM Klondike Institute of Arts & Culture KIAC Free drop-In for kids 5 & under with parent/ guardian Story time & free play!

Drop-in Volleyball 7:30 PM

Robert Service School Ages 13+ - Free

Fridays

Cards & Conversation 1:00 PM

Royal Canadian Legion Branch

1 Dawson City Free! Drop-In! No registration necessary. whatsupyukon.events/dawsonlegion-8336c3

Open Studio Drop-in 1:00 PM

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) Enjoy KIAC’s bright, air-conditioned space to create and focus on your artistic practice. Even betterwe’ve waived the drop-in fee this day.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 4:30 PM Saint Mary Church

Drop-in Bouldering 6:00 PM Robert Service School Freedrop-in - all ages

Saturdays

Youth Parkour Tumbling 12:30

PM Robert Service School

All Ages - Free – Drop-In. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Open Studio – Drop In 1:00

PM Klondike Institute of Art & Culture KIAC Classroom (enter via backdoor) Space to create and focus on your artistic practice.

Saturday Mass 5:00 PM Saint Mary Church AA North Star Group (O, A) Dawson City 7:00 PM Royal Canadian Legion

Anglican Church Service 10:30 AM Anglican Church Service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Dawson

The Self-Created Being cont’d from page 14

His best friend, Bud Young, speaks to how he misses Kirby’s companionship. The two artists collaborated on several works and, after his friend’s death, Young was asked by Kirby’s family to complete some of his unfinished stone pieces.

As a partner, Strauss remembers that the one thing he asked of her was to not throw away his clothes. Kirby was “pretty good at being in his own skin,” Strauss observes. “He wasn’t shallow.”

In the film, Kirby refers to a quote by Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Kirby says that he “lives a highly examined life.” For example, the Setian belief that all living beings are sentient led him to stop using animal products in his art practice, including bone and ivory, and to instead work with stone; and later, with metal. Even then, Kirby respected his materials; for example, he salvaged pieces of serpentine from mine sites and then transformed them into sculptures. One of the most stunning examples is The Raven, an abstract stone sculpture.

from Beyond the Left Hand Path,

“I enjoy quarrying my own materials from old mine sites, in an effort to create something beautiful out of what humans have destroyed, a way of giving something back that was unseen or considered valueless,” Kirby wrote in his artist statement for The Raven

“All Life has value if one knows what to look for.”

Together with his artwork, perhaps one of the greatest legacies Kirby left—to his friends, family and community—was his unwavering commitment to living with integrity, truth and authenticity. He was his own self.

He inspired Hall to live and create the same way, and she will sometimes check in on herself and ask, Is this how I really feel? Is this who I really am? “I think I’m

a better artist for having known James,” she says.

Beyond the Left Hand Path is premiering at the Available Light Film Festival on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Yukon Theatre. Two Yukon short films: Alexandra Knowles’s The Knitting Circle, produced by the National Film Board; and Marty O’Brien’s Back to the Sun, premiered the same day at 12 p.m. at the Yukon Arts Centre. An encore screening of Jessica Hall’s 2025 film, Saturday, will be part of shorts for young people on Feb. 14. Visit yukonfilmsociety.com/alff for more information and for tickets. ■

PHOTO: Jessica Hall

James Kirby at his workstation

PHOTO: Mark Kelly Photography Shooting scenes

at the Yukon Theatre

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks

Rec Centre

Floor Hockey 5:30 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Bakers & Makers 6:00 PM

Carmacks School

14+ Floor Hockey 7:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Tuesdays

Carmacks Library 1:00 PM

Open Court 1:00 PM Carmacks

Rec Centre

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks

Rec Centre

Adult Social 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Carmacks Minor Hockey Association 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Drop-in Basketball 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Volleyball 7:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Wednesdays

Family Play Group (Ages 0-5)

10:00 AM Carmacks Rec Centre

Carmacks Library 1:00 PM

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Archery 6:00 PM Carmacks

School

Shinny Night 14+ 7:00 PM Carmacks Recreation Centre

Thursdays

Carmacks Library 1:00 PM

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Carmacks Minor Hockey Association 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Pickleball 6:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Badminton 6:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Basketball 7:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Fridays

After School Club 3:30 PM

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Open Court 5:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Teen Night 6:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Volleyball 6:30 PM Carmacks Rec Centre Ping Pong + Foosball Night

Carmacks Recreation Centre

Saturdays

Tiny Toes Tea Time 1:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Open Court 3:00 PM Carmacks Rec Centre

Sundays Sunday Mass 10:30 AM St. Judes Church

FARO

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at: Liquor Store Van Gorda

First and Third Tuesday of every month Faro Council Meeting 7:00 PM Town of Faro

Weekly Tuesdays

Parent & Tot 10:00 AM Faro

Recreation Centre

Open Gym 1:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Kids Club 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Drop-in Archery 6:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre Free, drop-in,

equipment provided, call 9942375 for more info.

Adult Floor Hockey 7:00 PM

Faro Recreation Centre

Wednesdays

Seniors Games & Walks 1:00 PM

Faro Recreation Centre. The gym is open for seniors who would like to improve their fitness goals.

Fitness Fun for Seniors 2:00 PM

Faro Recreation Centre

Pickleball 2:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Volleyball 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Basketball 7:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Thursdays

Parent & Tot 10:00 AM Faro

Recreation Centre

Kids Club 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Youth Group 7:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre Floor Hockey 7:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre For more info call 994-2375

Fridays

Pickleball 1:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Seniors Yoga 2:00 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Open Gym 2:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre Chair Yoga &

Deep Relaxation for Seniors

Basketball 3:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Saturdays

Pickleball 2:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Open Court Basketball 3:00 PM

Faro Recreation Centre

Open Gym 4:30 PM Faro

Recreation Centre

Sundays

Open Court Basketball 3:00 PM

Faro Recreation Centre

Sunday Mass 11:00 AM or 2:30 PM

Catholic Church of the Apostles

HAINES JUNCTION

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at: Little Green Apple

Mon Jan 26 Augusto! Children’s

Festival Society AGM 7:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre Everyone

Welcome - Join in and help make the 2026 festival great!

Wed Jan 30 Illusionist Chris Funk – The wonderist 7:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre See the magic of Chris Funk in Haines Junction. His unique show blends music and magic into an unforgettable performance. https://junctionjam. ca/event/chris-funk-thewonderist/

Second and fourth Wednesday of every month Village Council meetings 7:00 PM St. Elias Convention Centre Village Council meetings are also held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at

7:00 p.m. via Zoom. [Remote attendance only]

Weekly

Mondays

Fun with Food 3:30 PM St. Elias

Community School Learn new skills, share recipes and take food home!

Pickleball 5:00 PM St. Elias

Community School Meet in the school gym

Drop-In Basketball 6:00 PM St. Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Tuesdays

Romp & Run 11:30 AM Bill Brewster Arena Drop in. Programming is for kids 4 and under and their parents/ caregivers.

Tea & Bannock – Haines Junction 1:00 PM https://whatsupyukon. events/tea-bannock-68ab07 Men’s and women’s sewing group 1:00 PM Mun kų

BGC Game Night 3:30 PM

St. Elias Community School Play, have fun, build skills and challenge your friends

Fit with Nick 6:00 PM The Mezzanine

Wednesdays

Seniors and Elders Refreshments and Games 2:00 PM Haines Junction Seniors Residence

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O)

3:00 PM Haines Junction Health

Centre

Girls Club 3:20 PM St. Elias

Community School Held in the art room, open to Girls and identifying as Girls from Grade 8 to 12.

BGC Rec in the Gym 3:30 PM St.

Elias Community School Haines Junction Hoobeedoo

6:30 PM The Mezzanine

Drop-In Basketball 6:00 PM St.

Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Thursdays

Romp & Run 11:30 AM Bill Brewster Arena Drop in. Programming is for kids 4 and under and their parents/ caregivers.

Seniors Activities 2:00 PM St. Elias Community Centre Floor curling, carpet bowling and indoor walking group.

Adult Volleyball 7:00 PM St.

Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Fridays

Stories and STEM Activities

10:00 AM Haines Junction Library

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O)

1:30 PM Haines Junction Health

Centre

Pickleball 5:00 PM St. Elias Community School Meet in the school gym

Saturdays

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O) 1:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

Sundays

Anglican Church Service 10:30

AM St. Christopher’s Church Anglican Church Service at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church in Haines Junction https://anglican. yukon.net/services.html

Sunday Mass 10:30 AM Our Lady of the Way Church

AA: “Yukon Unity Group” (O)

1:00 PM Haines Junction Health Centre

MARSH LAKE

Tues Jan 27 Acoustic Slow Jam

7:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre Bring your instrument and your love of making music! More info: 335-3259

Last Wednesday of every month

MLCS board meeting 7:00 PM

Marsh Lake Community Centre

Weekly

Tuesdays

Play Bridge 1:00 PM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

North of 60 Seniors Coffee and Chat 2:00 PM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

Yoga with Richard Mueller 5:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre Free for everyone some fitness required.

Wednesdays

South of 6 10:00 AM Marsh Lake

Community Centre

Thursdays

Shuffleboard 6:00 PM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Fridays

Beginner Yoga 10:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Youth Gym Drop-In 6:00 PM

Marsh Lake Community Centre

Saturdays

Pickleball Outside 11:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

Sundays

Pickleball Outside 11:00 AM Marsh Lake Community Centre

MAYO

Pick up your copies of What’s Up Yukon at: Haldane Services

MOUNT LORNE

1st Tuesday Monthly LAC Meeting Lorne Mountain Community Centre

Weekly

Mondays Run Club 6:00 PM Lorne

Mountain Community Centre

Yoga with Jess 7:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre Yoga is for everyone, join a community class, beginners welcome and all equipment provided. Drop in by donation. Email yoga.jessyukon@ gmail.com

Tuesdays

Active Fun Fitness ClassDrop In 6:30 PM Mount Lorne

Community Centre Improve your balance, flexibility, strength and endurance in this indoor class led by Colleen Ennis. Drop in, admission by donation. Suitable for mature youth & adults. https://whatsupyukon.events/fhm

Thursdays

Community Drop In 11:00 AM

Mount Lorne Community Centre

Run Club 6:00 PM Mount Lorne

Community Centre

LMCA Tennis Drop-In 7:00 PM Mount Lorne Community Centre All equipment provided, all ages and abilities welcome!

OLD CROW

Mondays

Men’s Night At The Rec Centre 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Tuesdays Kids Gym 3:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Adult Sewing 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Youth Gym 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Wednesdays

Stroller Walks 10:00 AM Kih Tsal Parent and Tots 4:00 PM Old Crow Community Center Call 966-3015 for more info. Adult Card Game Night 6:00 PM John Tizya Centre & Old Crow Community Centre

Sundays

St. Luke’s Church Service 11:00

AM St. Luke’s Church 867-9935381

cont’d on page 19 ...

Clayton’s CAR CARE Tips

BATTERY

Batteries store energy that is needed to start your vehicle, there are a few things to remember about batteries.

Regular maintenance #1 is making sure the battery is secured properly so it doesn’t vibrate, keeping connections clean and tight at the terminal, with loose connections you may run into problems like vehicles won’t start, alternator not charging properly and could cause battery and alternator failure.

Making sure your battery is ready for the colder weather we see in the Yukon like adding a battery pad or battery blanket to keep it warm when the vehicle is not in use; by keeping the battery warm in colder weather you will get the most power out of the battery on start up. Here is a side tip: if you don’t drive your vehicle on a regular basis and are experiencing battery problems, you could ask you local mechanic to install a low amp battery maintainer; this will keep your battery fully charged even when the vehicle is parked for a long time.

JANUARY BLUES

with some “blues

Three feet of snow, a thaw that turned streets and sidewalks into sheer ice, crazy mad news from south of the border—okay, January, enough. We appreciate the extra minutes of light in the morning, but can we just turn the corner now into February?

If What’s Up Yukon readers are feeling anything like I am, you need a pick-me-up, some January blues of the right kind—blueberries. The ones you picked last summer, of which you still might have a cup or two in the freezer. Baked into cinnamon rolls, enjoyed with a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, when you don’t have to be anywhere, maybe with a mystery novel open on your lap.

Farewell January, bring on February! Bring on the axe-throwing contests of Rendezvous, the director’s chats and the four films a day of the Available Light Film Festival. We are ready.

Quick Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls

The dough uses baking powder and baking soda as a leavener, not yeast, so it’s quick. Because, in January, when you need Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls, you need them now.

INGREDIENTS DOUGH

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 4 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 cup cold butter, diced

• 1 cup buttermilk, yogurt, or milk soured with 1 tsp vinegar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Extra ﬂour

• Parchment paper for rolling FILLING

• 1/4 cup butter, melted

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

• 1 Tbsp ﬂour

• 1 Tbsp melted butter, for brushing baked rolls

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender. Make a well in the centre, add buttermilk, yogurt or milk, and gradually mix in the ﬂour, going in a circle, until a rough dough forms.

2. Knead the dough, brieﬂy, with ﬂoured hands—you don’t want to overwork it.

3. Set out parchment paper on a ﬂat surface and sprinkle liberally with ﬂour.

4. Transfer dough to the paper and pat into a rectangle. With a ﬂoured rolling pin, roll dough into a rectangle, about 9 inches wide by 13 inches long. Chill while you make the filling.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add cinnamon and whisk again.

6. In another small bowl, toss blueberries with ﬂour.

7. Take the prepared dough from the fridge. Spread brown-sugar

mixture over the dough with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula, going right to the edges. Sprinkle the blueberries evenly overtop, pressing them into the filling, and leave a oneinch border from the edges of the dough.

8. Starting from the long end, roll dough onto itself in a tight coil, using the parchment paper to help you, so you end up with a log. (The dough is quite sticky.)

9. Slice log into 8 pieces. Transfer rolls to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and if they’ve gotten squished in the

cutting, push them back into shape with your fingers.

10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Some of the filling will inevitably leak out onto the parchment paper, but don’t worry, it will caramelize into a delicious, crunchy layer on the bottom of the rolls.

11. Remove from the oven, brush the tops with melted butter and cool rolls on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and dig in. Makes 8 large blueberry cinnamon rolls. ■

PHOTO: Miche Genest

Quick Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls fresh from the oven

ROSS RIVER

Weekly

Mondays

Adult Softball 7:00 PM Baseball Field Ages 16+ Bring your glove, and friends - no experience needed.

Tuesdays

Sewing Night 7:00 PM The Hope

Centre

Street Hockey 7:00 PM Ross River School Open to all ages and skill levels

Wednesdays

Family Bible Study 8:00 PM The Hope Centre

Thursdays

Community Softball Nights

7:00 PM Baseball Field Come out and have some fun, fitness and community spirit! All ages welcome.

Fridays

Family Game Night- Coffee

House 9:00 PM The Hope Centre

Sundays

Church Service 12:00 PM The Hope Centre

Sunday Mass 2:30 PM or 6:00 PM

Saint Michael Church

TAGISH

First Monday of every month

Carcross Tagish Renewable

Resources Council 1:00 PM

Tagish Fire Hall

First Monday of every month

Tagish Advisory Council 8:00 AM Tagish Fire Hall

Third Wednesday of every month

Tagish Community Association

7:00 PM Tagish Fire Hall

Second Thursday of every month

Tagish Local Advisory Council

7:00 PM

Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday Tagish Wheely Great Community Library 12:00 PM Tagish Community Centre Site

Weekly

Thursdays

Tagish Local Advisory Council

Meeting 7:00 PM Tagish Fire Hall

TESLIN

Weekly

Mondays

Teslin Tigers Cross Country Ski

Club 3:15 PM Teslin Recreation Centre

Co-Ed Curling League 6:30 & 8:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation

Complex

AA: Teslin Group (O) 7:00

PM Catholic Church Rectory (Basement)

Tuesdays

Rookie League 3:15 PM Teslin

Recreation Complex

Open Gym 7:00 PM Teslin Arena

Come hang out or play some sports during our open gym times!

Wednesdays

Pickleball 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Youth Pickleball 3:15 PM Teslin

Lake Recreation Complex

Thursdays

Dominos 1:00 PM Teslin

Recreation Centre Drop in seniors

Fridays

Open Arena 7:00 PM Teslin Lake

Recreation Complex

Saturdays

Parent & Tots 2:00 PM Teslin Lake Recreation Complex

Sundays

Sunday Mass 20:30 Immaculate

Heart of Mary Church

Adult Volleyball 4:00 PM School Gym

WATSON LAKE

Thu Feb 5 Pool & Bowling Dropin Night 6:00 PM Watson Lake

Recreation Centre Come hang out, try a little of everything, and enjoy a relaxed night with friends.

Fri Feb 6 Gaming & Board Games Drop-in Night 6:00 PM

Watson Lake Recreation Centre

Come hang out, try a little of everything, and enjoy a relaxed night with friends. Youth 12+

welcome - Kids 11 & under with a parent - FREE

Thu Jan 31 Wild Game Banquet

5:00 PM Watson Lake Recreation Centre A buffet-style spread

packed with amazing dishes, great company, and a whole lot of fun! Email for questions wlora. yt@gmail.com

Fri Feb 13 - Sun Feb 15 Kiki

Karnival 2026 - Rec Hockey

Tournament Watson Lake

Recreation Centre We are excited to announce that the Kiki Karnival Rec Hockey Tournament is returning to our community!

Fri Feb 13 - Sun Feb 15 KiKi

Karnival 2026 Watson Lake

Recreation Centre Bundle up and bring your best energy for a 3 day celebration of fun, culture and community!

Daily Northern Lights Space & Science Centre Shows 11:00

AM The spectacular dancing Northern Lights are showcased, a video that is broadcast in the NLC’s domed 100-seat theatre daily throughout the summer season. Plays daily on the hour starting at 11:00 AM

Second Saturday of the month

Watson Lake Direct Aid 2:00 PM Northern Lights Centre

Weekly

Mondays

Badminton Night 7:00 PM

Watson Lake Secondary School No skill or equipment requiredjust come out and have fun.

Tuesdays

Smart Recovery Meetings 3:00

PM Wye Lake Cabin Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services For more information, email joey.mitchell@yukon.ca or call 332-3187

Pickleball & Badminton 7:00 PM

Watson Lake Secondary School

Wednesdays

Drop-In Ninja Tumbling 5:30

PM Watson Lake Secondary School All ages welcome. Adults are welcome too, come to do some stretching or try some handstands etc.

Rookie League 5:30 PM Watson Lake Ball Diamond

Fridays

Bowling League 7:00 PM Watson

Lake Recreation Centre For more info Call 335-7979 or frontdesk@ watsonlake.ca

Saturdays

Saturday Mass 5:30 PM Saint Ann

Church

Baptiste Power Yoga 7:00 PM Fees apply. A muscle-shaping and mind-sculpting workout, work at your own level and ability, set to electronic music.

Sundays

St. John’s Church Service 10:00

AM St. John’s Church Service (867) 536-2932

Sunday Mass 10:00 AM Saint Ann

Church

Sunday Nite Volleyball 11:00 AM

Watson Lake Secondary School

B.C. ATLIN

Weekly

Sundays

St. Martins Anglican Church

Sunday Service 10:00 AM

St. Martins Anglican Church

Everyone is welcome.

Atlin Christian Assembly 11:00

AM St. Atlin Christian Centre Everyone is welcome.

St. Joseph Catholic Mission Holy Mass 3:00 PM St. St. Joseph Catholic Mission.

Mondays

Caregiver & Tot Drop-in 10:00

AM Atlin Recreation Centre This is an unstructured hour for You and your Littles to get social and run wild. This IS NOT a drop off, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Call or email 9934102 atlinarc.coordinator@gmail. com for more info.

Carpet Bowling 1:00 PM Atlin Rec Centre

Tuesdays

Tuesday Lunches 11:00 AM Atlin

Recreation Centre Not A Set Menu, Every Tuesday Lunch Will Be Different.

Fridays

Atlin Community Library 2:00

Atlin Community Library 2:00 PM

Yukon Communities:

Wednesdays AA Yukon Unity (OM) 3:00 PM Online Yukon

Health Centers, Live Video

Meeting Beaver Creek, Carcross, Carmacks, Dawson City, Destruction Bay, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo, Old Crow, Pelly Crossing, Ross River, Teslin, Watson Lake. Online users’ sign in info: yukonbcdistrict52@gmail. com

ALASKA HAINES

Fri Feb 13 & Sat Feb 14 Alcan 200

Various Locations Haines, Alaska Friday - Sign up at the Fogcutter bar, Saturday - Racers Meet, 42 mile race start and Awards Banquet https://www.alcan200. org/

SKAGWAY

Monthly

First Wednesday of the month

First Wednesday Community Dinner 5:30 PM First Presbyterian Church check in on your neighbors over a filling meal. If you have a dish you would like to share, you are welcome to bring it

Weekly

Wednesdays

Windy Valley Babies 10:30 AM Skagway Public Library Stories, Songs, and Fun with Ms. Anna! Designed for ages 0-3.

Thursdays

Morning Women’s Prayer 9:30 AM First Presbyterian Church of Skagway

Saturdays

Music Saturday 3:00 PM

Skagway Public Library Music Saturday is open to all. Any instrument that is available, people are free to try.

Sundays

Sunday Worship 10:00 AM First

Presbyterian Church of Skagway Sunday School 4:00 PM First Presbyterian Church of Skagway

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Sun Feb 1 DPSAY Poker Run

10:00 AM A much-loved event, dog-powered teams of any speed and ability can shine: your chance at winning is determined only by luck. https://forms.gle/ eHXcHtAhVjmHbtms7

Sun Feb 1 & 8 Easy Like Sunday on the Trails 12:00 PM

Whitehorse Nordic Centre Take a break during your Sunday ski at Harvey’s Hut, warm up by the fire, enjoy delicious treats and hot beverages, and connect with fellow skiers!

Fri Feb 6 DJ Party on the Ski Trails 6:00 PM Whitehorse Nordic Centre Get outside and cross-country ski to Harvey’s Hut to dance around a campfire! https://www. whitehorsenordiccentre.ca/ calendar

Sat Feb 7 2026 First Mate Babe

Southwick Memorial Race 11:30

AM Ibex Valley Annual historical race on the only sprint track in the Yukon! 2 days of racing followed by an awards banquet.

Indoor Cycling 12:05 PM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/ Muay Thai Kickboxing Eight Days Martial Arts 12:05 PM

The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions.

Kids Muay Thai 4:45 PM Eight Days Martial Arts KIDS MUAY THAI a dynamic and engaging martial art that can be traced to the middle of the 18th century.

Open to ages 8 - 12.

PM Spinning classes 5:15 PM

True North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 5:30

PM Northern Strength Academy Broga - Yoga for Men 5:30

PM Centred - Yoga Breath Sound Chant Drum Dance Breathing, stretching, moving, strengthening, decompressing, inverting, balance work, manly self-care at its finest. Email malbacph@hotmail.com for more info.

Ladies Kickboxing 6:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Whitehorse Archery 6:30 PM

Takhini Elementary Whitehorse Archery is a non-profit club for the recreational shooter, hunters, and those who just want to work on their skills. whitehorsearchery.com/ schedule

Yoga with Jess 7:00 PM Golden Horn Elementary School Yoga is for everyone, join a community class, beginners welcome and all equipment provided. Drop in by donation. Email yoga. jessyukon@gmail.com

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu 7:30 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Wednesdays

Muay Thai Kickboxing 6:00

AM Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

AM Spinning classes 6:15 AM

True North Spinning at Better Bodies

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 7:30 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Tuesdays

Strength for Endurance 6:00

AM Northern Strength Academy

Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Indoor Cycling 6:30 AM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Morning Strength & Conditioning 7:30 AM

Sun Feb 8 Dion Canadian Snowshoe Series Yukon Race 4:00 PM Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre Come out and race and/or just have fun! Category prize winners along with draw prizes. Hot chocolate and treats at the end of the race. No experience required! Call 335-0441 for more info. https://www. healthandadventure.com/ dionsnowshoeseries

Mondays

Judo For Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight Days Martial Arts

AM Spinning classes 6:15 AM True North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 7:30

AM Northern Strength Academy

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 7:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Lifting for Longevity 10:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/ Elderactive CGC Flexihall 9:00 AM Canada Games Centre Yukon Elderactive has the Flexihall is Booked for you! Some activities get your heart pumping, while others get your mind engaged

Elderactive Pilates level 1 9:30

AM Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Northern Strength Academy Specifically designed for the retired population, but open to anyone.

Yoga with Barbara 10:00 AM

Keep Fit 10:00 AM Church of the Northern Apostles Come stretch and breathe with usonly $5.00

Elderactive CGC Flexihall 9:00 AM Canada Games Centre Yukon Elderactive has the Flexihall is Booked for you! Some activities get your heart pumping, while others get your mind engaged

Elderactive Pilates level 1 9:30

AM Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Elderactive Pilates level 2

10:40 AM Northern Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!. http://cuts2. com/jiacg

Noon Strength & Conditioning

12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy

Elderactive Pilates level 1 12:00

PM Northern Lights School of Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement

Whitehorse United Church Drop-in, no registration required, everyone is welcome. Call 335-1996 for more info.

Strength for Endurance 12:00

PM Northern Strength Academy

Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - drilling 12:05 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Leisure Hiking - ElderActive

1:00PM ElderActive Recreation

Association

Strength & Conditioning

1:00PM Northern Strength Academy

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Indoor Cycling 5:00 PM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/ Ladies Lift 5:30 PM

Elderactive Pilates level 2 10:40 AM Northern Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!. http://cuts2. com/jiacg

Noon Strength & Conditioning 12:00 PM Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/ Elderactive Pilates level 1 12:00

PM Northern Lights School of Dance Energizing Level 2 Pilates tailored for seniors. Elevate wellness with gentle movement!

Ladies Kickboxing 12:05 PM Eight Days Martial Arts Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

Fitness Hiking - ElderActive 12:30PM ElderActive Recreation Association

Elderactive Intermediate

Hiking 1:00

PM ElderActive

Recreation Association Leisure

Walking is similar to Nordic walking but is suitable for those who prefer a slower, more relaxed pace

PM Spinning classes 5:15 PM

True North Spinning at Better Bodies

Strength & Conditioning 5:30

PM Northern Strength Academy

Functional strength class teaches compound multi-joint lifts that improve athleticism, strength, coordination, power and more.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Indoor Range Night 7:00 PM

Whitehorse Rifle and Pistol Club

Muay Thai Kickboxing 7:45

PM Eight Days Martial Arts

The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions.

Thursdays

Strength for Endurance 6:00

AM Northern Strength Academy

Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels

Winter Power Hour Series 6:00

AM BrittyFit 95 Lewes Blvd

Ignite your fitness regime in 50 minutes with Brittyfit

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM Eight

Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 7:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Lifting for Longevity 10:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy

Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels.

Yoga - ElderActive 10:00 AM

Northern Lights School of Dance

Strength for Endurance 12:00

PM Northern Strength Academy

Join our supportive running community and hone your technique, speed and pace with the Yukon’s top endurance coach. Inclusive for all levels

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - drilling 12:05

PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Strength & Conditioning 1:00

PM Northern Strength Academy

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Ladies Lift 5:30 PM

Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Whitehorse Archery 6:30 PM

Takhini Elementary Whitehorse Archery is a non-profit club for the recreational shooter,

hunters, and those who just want to work on their skills.

www.whitehorsearchery.com/

schedule No-GiJiu Jitsu 7:00 PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Fridays

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 6:00 AM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Indoor Cycling 6:30 AM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Morning Strength & Conditioning 7:30 AM

Northern Strength Academy northernstrength.ca/

Strength & Conditioning 12:00

PM Northern Strength Academy

Muay Thai Kickboxing 12:05

PM Eight Days Martial Arts

The art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai Kickboxing has proven itself to be the go to striking style of many martial arts champions.

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4:45 PM

Eight Days Martial Arts

Strength & Conditioning 5:30

PM Northern Strength Academy

Muay Thai Kickboxing 6:00

PM Eight Days Martial Arts

Muay Thai Kickboxing full body workout.

Saturdays

Ladies Lift 9:00 AM

Northern Strength Academy opportunities for women to find community, learn to lift, improve performance, and build strength.

Strength & Conditioning 10:00

AM Northern Strength Academy

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu - drilling 11:00

AM Eight Days Martial Arts

Open Mat 12:00 PM Eight Days

Martial Arts

Sundays

AM Spinning classes 10:00 AM

True North Spinning at Better Bodies

WELLNESS LISTINGS

Tue Jan 27 Whitehorse Connects 10:00 AM Kwanlin

Dun Cultural Centre A community-wide event that brings together health, legal, income, housing, and social service providers under one roof. www.yapc.ca

Tue Jan 27 Dare to Create - One Night of Self Expression 6:00

PM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Open to everyone ages 10 to 25 please. All genders, non-binary, LGBTQ+ . Snacks and drinks, and the jackets, patches, paint pens, and other items provided.

Wed Jan 28 &Thu Feb 29

Yukon First Nations Health & Wellness Summit Kwanlin

Dun Cultural Centre A great opportunity to connect with healthcare systems, individuals, and to learn about health transformation and health and wellness in the Yukon. https:// tinyurl.com/46ttv9kp Fri Jan 30 Embers + Ice: A Yukon Retreat to Nourish Your

Inner Flame 3:00 PM Boréale Explorers & Boréale Ranch

https://collaborationcoaching. my.canva.site/embers-ice-2025

Sat Jan 31 The Mirror of the Soul - Tarot & Oracle Crash Course 7:00 PM Horwoods Mall A hands-on workshop designed to liberate you from the “Little White Book.” We are moving away from rigid memorization and stepping into intuitive storytelling.

Mon Feb 2 Creating Your Yukon Oasis Workshop - Plan, Plant & Prosper 6:00 PM Decora An interactive and engaging workshop series, designed for anyone looking to enhance their green thumb, create purposeful indoor and outdoor spaces, and learn about food security.

Tue Feb 3 - Thu Feb 5 YAWC - Mental Health & Wellness Conference Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre Collective Healing, Many Paths to Wellness’ focus on practical, accessible approaches to mental wellness through dialogue, education, and connection. https://whatsupyukon.events/ c4f249

Sun Feb 8 Sacred SundaySlow Flow Yoga 10:00 AM Decora Join Sara Arsenault to escape the winter chill with a grounding large-group yoga session that restores balance, melts stress, and reconnects you with calm. https:// whatsupyukon.events/9598ea

Elder and Counselor available Emotional and Spiritual support, free to Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirited in Yukon, Northern BC: Phone, video appointments or in person. Call Toll Free 866 667 6162 or visit www.yawc.ca for info.

Monthly

Every other Tuesday Sharing Circle 12:00 PM Old Justice Building KDFN Every other Tuesday for recovery focused sharing circles. Connect, share challenges and gains, and access support and wisdom. Snacks and refreshments served. whatsupyukon. events/4en

Mondays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM Salvation Army 311 Black St Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot

meal.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House Infant Feeding Mondays 1:00 PM Yukon Midwifery Program - Yukon Health and Social Services

AA Life Ahead (O, A) 7:00 PM 509 Hanson St. Held in person or by zoom – ID 251-363-5766, call 778-907-2701 for more info.

Smart Recovery 7:00 PM 509 Sarah Steele Building a supportive meeting with others seeking recovery help.

AA New Beginnings Group (OM, NS) 8:00 PM Sacred Heart - Rear Entrance - basement Tuesdays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM Salvation Army 311 Black St Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O)

12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) 6:00 PM 100 25 Firth

Rd Want to improve or maintain a healthy weight? Join us! Every Wednesday morning. Call or text 867-334-1725 for more details

AA Happy Hour Ladies Group (W, A) 6:15 PM Inclusion Yukon Ugly Ducklings Group (O,A) 8:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral Held in person or Zoom ID 251 363 5766 no passcode or by phone 1-778907-2071

Wednesdays

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) 8:00 AM Closeleigh Manor Common Room Want to improve or maintain a healthy weight? Call or text 867-3341725 for more details

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

Community Kitchen 11:30 AM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Hot nutritious meals to-go, a free, low-barrier, program for women identifying individuals and children. Call 667-2693 for more info

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance) Al-Anon 12:00 PM 407 Black Street, downstairs Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

AA No Puffin (C, A) 7:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral (Hellaby Hall)

AA Porter Creek Step Meeting (C) 8:00 PM Our Lady of

Victory

Thursdays

Sally and Sisters 11:00 AM

Salvation Army 311 Black St

Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council A welcoming environment where women and their children can enjoy a hot meal.

VFWC - Drop-In 11:00 AM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Drop-In includes Laundry and Shower.

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance)

Polar Group (O, A) 7:30 PM 311 Elliott St. & 4th Ave. Held in person or Zoom ID 251 363 5766 no passcode or by phone 1-778-907-2071

Fridays

Moth & Flame - Bright Light Morning Meditation Series 9:00

AM Queer Yukon Society - The Cache

AA “Joy of Living Group” (O) 12:00 PM 305 Wood St. Captain Martin House (Back Entrance)

VFWC – Drop-In 1:30 PM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre FREE! Drop-In. A safe welcoming space. Drop-in includes laundry and shower access.

Community Kitchen 5:00 PM

Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre Hot nutritious meals to-go, a free, low-barrier, program for women identifying individuals and children. Call 667-2693 for more info.

AA Whitehorse Group (C, A) 7:00 PM 407 B Ogilvie Street

Saturdays

AA Morning Joe Group (C, A) 11:00

Sundays

AA Detox Meeting (O, A)1:00 PM 609 Steele St. AA Hospital Meeting (O, A) 7:00 PM #5 Hospital Rd. Room 1212

TALES ON TRAILS — WOLVES

Your tiny lap dog

How does your pet dog behave when smelling his ancestral buddies, the wolves?

Do they start whining, not leaving your side, begging you to turn around? Or are they interested and wanting to explore? I guess this would depend on either critter’s sex (more about this in my future “wolf” article). Spending seven to eight months out here, as paradise-like as it is, it could get boring without a friendly-pawed dog.

Our small rucksack-fitting dachshund-cross, we intuit, knows that he’s rather puny in size and therefore sticks close to us. Alas, once he smells wolf and he’s not leashed on our near-daily onehour walk, he’ll pick up his stubby, crooked legs and hightail it for home. This happened last April, the last day out here before being picked up by plane.

Walking down a little knoll onto the river’s old side channel and looking left and right, guess what stood there in the middle of our snowmachine-made track? A big brown-black wolf, right there! And to our incredulity (the guns have already been put away), he was just standing there and looking at us. Paul started to go on with our walk, stepping towards the wolf, who was not worried and, it seemed, not wanting to retreat.

Eventually it did, but so did our dog Rupert, gunning it for home. We returned home, too, as I feared there’d be more fine specimens out hunting and maybe cutting off the dog’s ﬂight. Back home, we got the leash and ventured out on our round trip again. Sure enough, there were at least three different-sized wolf paw prints in the snow. Dogs are a good “lure” to have on a trapline—but I wouldn’t want Rupert to become a snack.

Wolves and moose

Some of our trapline trails are up on the banks of the river and meander in and out of the forest.

A grisly but natural sight that we spotted once was an only halfeaten moose calf carcass on the frozen river. Wolf tracks were all around and also crossing our trail in the bush. We had some wolf snares with us, so we set about five in the wolves’ paths.

We got back to the same spot, four or five days later, and there was a big black wolf in one of the snares. Back home, we hung the big male on a scale. He weighed 101 pounds. On that account, we noticed that wolves are moving about lots: a pack might eat its fill, move on and be back two weeks later to finish off what’s left (if a wolverine hasn’t found the kill, dragging every piece of meat and bone off to bury somewhere for a later snack time).

The lone wolf

A lone wolf might just follow a pack but will stop to chew on a

few leftover moose-rib bones. A scruffy, old yellow wolf dragged a shoulder blade onto the lake (instead of farther into the bush, to be concealed while gnawing on it). We actually saw this; the moon illuminated the snow-laden and frozen lake like it was daylight.

Paul was able to shoot the wolf and put it out of its misery. I skinned and tanned it myself, as it wasn’t going to fetch any money at auction. The hide had bald spots where the hair was non-existent, and teeth were missing or broken off. Still, I also cleaned the skull.

Another lanky lone wolf was spotted on our ride home one day. We saw him again and again, walking ahead of us on the river and then veering up onto our trail, which makes for easier trotting. We took pictures and even a video. About three kilometres from basecamp, he’d jump up onto the trail again—but not before gulping up a mouthful of snow. Then he disappeared. We had a few snares set at our moosekill site and he was in one of them, two days later.

A wolf pack and humans

In Paul’s early trapping career, he was breaking trail with his snowshoes. He came to a very small lake. A pack of wolves had just put down an adult moose in the bay. Paul didn’t feel very smug, walking by on the other shore (no gun strapped to his back), as the wolves were all staring at him and not moving. It seemed they weren’t prepared to share their fresh meat with a twolegged creature. Maybe they realized they had the “upper paw,” being in the majority!

Some readers might find these stories ugly and become sad. That’s life, though, and nature can be brutal. I think about this often, more so when I’m without a care in the world, because circumstances can change in a heartbeat.

Be safe, and travel together.

Sonja Seeber, Yukon trapper ■

with Sonja Seeber

Sonja Seeber and her husband, Paul, are Yukon trappers who live in the Pelly Mountains and who have developed a lifelong passion for their trapping lifestyle in the North.

PHOTOS: Sonja Seeber

The gorgeous wolf we saw last April

The author’s hand and the yellow wolf’s paw

54TH ALCAN 200

54th ALCAN 200 Road Rally Saturday, 10am International Snow Machine Race, Haines Hwy

Racer Signup & Calcutta Auction, Friday, 5:30pm

Fogcutter Bar, Main Street Learn More & Register:

Adventure Race Saturday, 8am haineshuts.org/kat-to-koot/

Saturday, 11am @ SEAK Fairgrounds Free Fun & Games for All Ages + Annual Chili Cook-Off

WHAT’S ON

MR. TURF!

Date : FEBRUARY 18 | 7PM

Mr. Turf blends acrobatics, juggling, balancing and unicycling into a vibrant display of clowning arts with lively music. And with his iconic little car, he turns each show into a joyful journey of laughter and wonder. Tickets $10.

Date : FEBRUARY 1 | 4PM

David will explore themes of artmaking, his Métis identity, and storytelling with Yukon’s Ivan Coyote.

Tickets are only $10.

A YAC and Yukon University co-presentation.