Dakwäkäda-Haines Junction CBC’s Yukon Morning, Community Report for March 10, 2020

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass FestivalMusic. Mountains. MagicThe festival will be June 12-14, 2020
Featured performers include: Sideline, Mile Twelve, Seth Mulder and Midnight Run, The Slocan Ramblers
50% of festival passes are already sold so get yours today! Visit: yukonbluegrass.com for more information.
 
Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay
With all of this wonderful snow, it’s hard to change gears and start thinking about preparations for the 27th annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay on June 20 2020. But registration is just around the corner, beginning Monday March 16 2020 at 12:01am. Don’t delay, as spots fill up fast. 
Visit: www.kcibr.org for details.
 
Teams can enter in one of several categories. There are solo, 2, 4, and 8-person teams for men, women, and mixed categories. This international event has filled up in a short period of time over the last few years.
 
It attracts riders locally from the Yukon and Alaska as well as from other parts of Canada, the US, and sometimes beyond. Race officials anticipate that all 1200 rider spots will fill quickly again this year. Along with the 1200 rider cap, there is a limit of 95 teams in the 8-person category. Solo riders are given a bit more time to make the big decision to ride the entire 240 kms. Registration for solo riders closes on April 10th.
 
A reminder to some rule changes from 2019: Removal of the “consecutive leg” rule and removal of “traditional” vs “non-traditional” categories. Rules, start times and other logistical information for the 2020 event are posted at www.kcibr.org.
 
As motor vehicles continue to be the primary safety concern, signage and messaging to participants will continue to focus on and encourage safe, cautious driving habits.
 
The bike relay is a 240 km, international event, crossing the US-Canada border 65 kilometres from Haines. All visitors to Alaska, including riders on Leg 7 must show a passport at U.S. Customs. Cyclists will have to dismount and show their passport. It is best for Leg 7 riders to be US or Canadian Citizens.
 
Participants should check the event website for details about clearing customs. Participants who want to purchase a souvenir t-shirt must do so by April 10th. The shirt design for this year was created by Whitehorse artist Monika Melnychuk and is posted on the KCIBR website.
 
Notice of Possible By-Election
Nomination Day will be Tuesday March 31, 2020 between 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. Nominations will be accepted in the St. Elias Centre Atrium. If a poll is required the advance poll will be held Thursday, April 9th on the main floor in the St Elias Centre Atrium between 8:00 am – 8: 00 pm. The regular poll will be held on Thursday April 16 at the same location.
 
Thrift StoreThe Thrift Store is open from 2-6pm on Thursdays (March 12 and 26, April 9 and 30 and May 14). Organized, tidy and clean assortment of gently used closes, books, toys, household items at bargain prices.
Sports ReportDrop-in SportsAdult and Teen Badminton – Thursdays at 7pm
Hockey -- Mondays and Thursdays – 7:30-9 pm
Curling -- Sundays 1-4 pm
Soccer -- Thursdays from 7:30-9 pm at the school gym. Teens and elders welcome! Lots of exercise, laughter and fun !Volleyball – Mondays at 7pm in the school gym
Yoga
Mondays at 5:15 at Yukon College, free.
Tuesdays at 5:15 pm, at Yukon College, tone and stretch, free
Wednesdays at noon, at Yukon College, restorative, free.
Thursdays at 5:15 pm, at Yukon College, tone and stretch, free.

Romp n Run
Romp n Run has fun, wiggles and movement for children 4 and under every Tuesday and Thursday until December 12th, 10am -11:30am, at the Haines Junction Arena mezzanine. Our programs include a Little Chefs program, a parent and tot yoga program, craft programs, visits from the Child Development centre and lots of other great activities. Healthy snack and coffee provided. Please wear comfortable clothes and indoor shoes. Parent or caregiver participation is required.
Thank you to Partners for Children for funding our program. 
Bill Brewster Arena
Public Skating
March 9 to 17
Monday – 3 to 6:00pm
Tuesday – 3 to 6 pm
Wednesday – 3:05pm to 5pm
Thursday – 3 to 6pm
Friday – 3pm to 6pm
Saturday – 11:30 am to 1:30pm
Sunday – 3 to 9 pm
Monday – 11 am to 6pm
 
The arena is closed for the season as of March 17.

Haines Junction Minor Hockey
Thank you to all of the organizers, volunteers, coaches, parents, arena staff and players for another great hockey season in Haines Junction. The year end banquet is on March 11 at the Convention Centre from 5:30 to 7pm.

St. Elias Seniors Society (ages 60+)
NEW Activity! Yoga for Seniors, funded by RPAY will be on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm in the Social Room, basement of the seniors’ apartments. This class can be done sitting or standing and it’s an excellent class to gain strength and mobility. We also have Happy Feet in town for a foot clinic at the end of the month, contact Patty Moore to book an appointment at 634-2720
 
Join us on Mondays for our weekly carpet bowling or floor curling in the Convention Center Atrium from 1:30 to 3:00.

Wednesdays is our Drop-In day from 1:30 to 3:00 in the Social Room on the lower floor, south end of the Senior’s Apartment Building on Martin Street.  Yearly membership is $12.00 and includes meals and other benefits.  Come on out and meet some of the 51+ members! The 2nd Wednesday of every month is our Birthday Cake day for everyone celebrating their birthday that month.

Thursday at 1:30 we have an indoor walking group in the Grand Hall of the Convention Center.  We count our loops and collectively add them up.  When we have walked the distance for Haines Junction to Kathleen Lake, the walkers will celebrate with a special dinner.  Come on out and enjoy the exercise!
 
Arts and Culture
Junction Artist in Residence ProgramThe Junction Artist-in-Residence (JAR) Program is pleased to announce Justine Woods as the selected artist for the 2020 JAR Program.
 
Justine Woods is an interdisciplinary Métis fashion designer, visual storyteller and indigenous beader originally from the Georgian Bay Métis Community located near Midland/Penetanguishene, Ontario. Currently based in Tkaronto (Toronto, Ontario), Woods combines her skills as a bespoke tailor with her practice as a Métis storyteller by incorporating hand beaded designs onto garments she creates.
 
“My design practice as a Métis storyteller and beader originated as a way for me personally connect with my heritage at a young age”, Woods states. “I was intrigued by the power that beading has to visually convey a story through the exploration of my own indigenous identity.” Through these explorations, Woods has engaged with various forms of knowledge sharing about indigenous culture, tradition and identity via her community relationships and through her artistic practice.
 
Wood’s design practice explores how beadwork generates cultural narratives that go beyond the surface of the material. She uses beadwork as an artistic output to visually share knowledge, history, traditions, spirituality and relationships found within indigenous culture. One of Justine’s many interests within her practice is how the re-interpretation of Western styles and garments can serve as a tool for decolonization.
 
The Artist-in-Residence will spend 3-months fully integrated within the natural and cultural setting of Haines Junction, YT and surrounding area. During this time, the artist will create a series of wearable works that reflect the program's theme of 'Sewing through the Landscape'. Both artist and community members will have several opportunities to engage with one another through a variety of presentations, workshops, and public programming.
 
The 2020 program will be the third term for JAR, which occurs between July and October every other year.
For press requests or inquiries, please contact Heiko Haehnsen at: junctionjar@gmail.com
 
Junction Arts and Music (JAM)
Junction Arts & Music and Whitehorse Concerts are pleased to present meagan&amy, a vibrant Canadian duo consisting of violinist Amy Hillis and pianist Meagan Milatz.
 
The duo will work with the local children's fiddle group, The Treble Makers, who will open for their evening concert! The concert is Friday, March 20 at 7:30pm at the St Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction.
 
Tickets are $20 cash at the door, $10 for students (13-18) and seniors (65+) and 12 and under are FREE. We hope to see you all there!
 
Haines Junction Public Library
Storyhour at the pubic library for 2-5 year olds and their adults. Fridays from 10-11. Free.
 
Arts and Craft Guild
The organizers of the Log Church art and craft guild are excited to announce that they will be opening again in June 2020. The gallery will accept art and crafts from residents of Dakwakada-Haines Junction and the surrounding area. More details coming soon.

Home Routes Concerts
A big thank you to the gracious hosts/organizers who open up their living rooms to bring live music to your community. Home Routes concerts are hosted in over 150 communities across Canada. This model of arts production makes it feasible for professional musicians to reach communities throughout the country. They return home with new connections, lifelong friends, money in their pockets, recordings sold, and usually want to sign up for another tour. Visit homeroutes.ca for more information.

Haines Junction dates:
Sun Mar 29 - Rick Fines, ON

Tues Apr 28 -The Schotts, ON