CBC Community Report for August 10, 2023

A HUGE thank you to all of the wildland fire personnel who are tackling fires across the territory and our thoughts are with all of those who have had to evacuate the Mayo and Old Crow area.

Congratulations to all of the North American Games Indigenous Athletes and our local competitors from the Haines Junction area: Justin Johnson (2 golds and silver medal - rifle shooting), Josh Jackson (gold and silver - rifle shooting), Jorja Jackson (gold and 2 silver medals - rifle shooting) and Koltun Jim (4th and 5th place in rifle shooting, Phoenix Widney (Gold - archery), Dawson Widney (Bronze - Archery)


Potlatch Announcements
The family of Kwan Sha (Kathy Birkel) invite Kajet (Crow Clan) and friends to the Lu Gha (Klukshu) for her Headstone Potlatch on Saturday August 12 at 2pm.


Community BBQ
Champagne and Aishihik First Nation, the Yukon Government, and Parks Canada are hosting a community BBQ at the Da Kų Cultural Centre on August 24th from 4pm to 7pm. There will be great food, lots of door prizes, and a whole lot of fun! Everyone is welcome to attend.
About Town
Garden TourThis Sunday, August 13 starting at 11am

• We'll all meet at the gazebo beside the muffin (anyone who wants to visit gardens and anyone who wants to offer garden tours)
  
• we'll make a plan and map out the gardens to visit that day
  
• We'll carpool/caravan to each garden
  
• Contact Kari at 335-0440 for more information
  

Storytime at the Haines Junction Public Library

• 10am Fridays for stories and STEM activities!
  

St Elias Seniors Society

• Seniors and Elders refreshments and games every Wednesday at 2:00 at the Drop-In (lower floor of Yukon Housing Apartment Building).   
  
• Weekly floor curling, carpet bowling and indoor walking group on Thursdays at 2:00 in the Convention Centre.    
  
• There is a new shuttle bus monthly program. Contact Patty Moore for the next opportunity to travel to Whitehorse.
  

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
General Assembly Survey

• Your opinion matters!!
  
• Names will be drawn August 25th!
  
• Complete the survey to enter your name into a draw to win an Air North voucher or Superstore gift cards! Find it linked on Facebook. You can also fill out a paper copy at either CAFN offices.
  
• If anyone requires assistance in filling out the survey contact Kathleen at 332-0056 or [email protected].
  

Elders & Summer Student Camp

• taking place in Klukshu August 14-18
  
• Traditional harvesting, food preservation and on the land activities, Elders sharing their knowledge with youth
  
• Elders please contact Jacquie Chambers at 867-634-5219 or [email protected]
  

Special GA

• A Special General Assembly is scheduled for October 14 to finish reviewing the resolutions submitted to the General Assembly in July. All resolutions that were passed in July’s GA were accepted by Chief & Council in accordance with the process in the Policy for the Administration of the General Assembly.
  
• Thank you to all Citizens who participated and to all staff who supported the GA.
  
• For more information, please contact Denise Beattie, Director of Governance [email protected] (867)456-6888.
  

St Elias School Community Committee

• CAFN is seeking applications for the community-based committee for the St. Elias Community School.
  
• The establishment of the Community Committee is intended to take back jurisdiction over how education is carried out in our community. CAFN is looking to appoint 4 members to the committee.
  
• Application can be found at https://cafn.ca/secscc
  
• Application Deadline is September 6, 2023
  

Plant Medicine Walk

• August 11 from 1 to 3pm with Marion Primozic
  
• Meet at Pine Lake and be prepared to do a short hike
  
• Ages 10+
  

Tame the Tomato Jungle, mid-season garden care

• August 17 from 11am to 1pm
  
•  with Jolene Billwiller at the HJ Greenhouse
  

Trail Hiking

• All trips leave from CAFN community wellness building at 4pm
  
• If you need transportation assistance, call Jocelyn Kinney or Kat Simon
  

• August 16 - Rock Glacier Trail
  
• September 6 - Cottonwood Trail
  
• September 20 - St Elias Lake Trail
  

Kluane National Park
Parks Canada Interpretive ProgramsCampfire Talks take place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at the Kathleen Lake Campground from 7pm-8pm.
Description: Join a Heritage Presenter for an evening around a campfire to learn more about the park’s wildlife, forests, glaciers, mountains, and history. Please bring your own mug to enjoy some complimentary tea and hot chocolate.
Every Saturday in August, the campfire talk will be co-hosted by Parks Canada, John Fingland, and youth from Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. The campfire talks will cover various topics about First Nations culture and history…
Saturday, August 12th: Uses of the Mooses (soapberry ice cream will be served at this campfire talk!)
Description (optional): Moose were an important animal for local First Nation communities. Their meat provided food, their hides were used for clothing, and various parts of the moose were used to make tools, weapons, rope, and thread.  Come learn all about the uses of the mooses.
Saturday, August 19th: Something Frozen in the Ice
Description (optional): Archaeology in this area is fascinating as hundreds of artifacts are now melting out of ice patches that have stored them for thousands of years.  In 1999, human remains melted out of a glacier in this region. Come and learn about his amazing story.
Saturday, August 26th: First Nations Storytelling
Description (optional): Stories have always played an important role in local First Nations culture. Come out and hear the different reasons for telling stories, and a few examples for each reason.
Songs of Kluane takes place every Sunday morning from 11am-12pm at the Kathleen Lake Day-Use Area.
Description: Join us for complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while you sit back and relax around a campfire and enjoy some original Kluane inspired sing along songs.
Note - there will be no Songs of Kluane on Sunday, August 27th.
The Times They are A-Changin’ Station
This Exploration Station about climate change will be set up at varying times throughout the week at Mät’àtäna Mǟn (Kathleen Lake), Thechàl Dhâl' Visitor Centre, and the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction). To inquire about the weekly schedule, call (867) 634-7207.
Kluane First Nation workshops at the Thechàl Dhâl' Visitor CentreKluane First Nation will be hosting various workshops at the Thechàl Dhâl' Visitor Centre throughout the month of August:

• Thursday, August 10: Traditional Tools and Survival Techniques
  
• Friday, August 11: Beaded Caribou Hair Tufting Pin Workshop
  
• Monday, August 14: Storytelling and Traditional Knowledge
  
• Wednesday, August 16: Salve-making Demonstration
  
• Thursday, August 17 & Thursday, August 31: "A Walk Through Time"
  
  • Description: 11am to 3pm…Enjoy an easy guided walk in the park and learn more about the long history of Lù'àn Män Ku Dän, the Kluane Lake People. Please bring a pack lunch, water and good footwear.
    
• Monday, August 28: Dań Zhùr (Silver Berry) Necklace-making
  

Northern Nights Festival (September 15th-17th)Northern Nights is returning to Kathleen Lake/Mät’àtäna Män from September 15th-17th. Since it’s origin in 2016, the Yukon’s only annual dark sky festival, Northern Nights, has become a popular destination for visitors and Yukoners alike. This year’s festival aims to encourage attendees to learn and discover more about, and celebrate the Yukon night sky through various activities, workshops, and live music. As the midnight sun fades away, Northern Nights is the perfect time to gaze up and welcome back the infinite night sky.
Thechàl Dhâl' Visitor Centre Hours

• The Thechàl Dhâl' Visitor Centre will be closed for the season after September 4th (Labour Day).
  

Art and Culture
The Haines Junction Artist Guild Gallery

• Is a cooperatively run gallery, featuring local artists and craftspeople. The hours are from Thursday to Sunday, noon to 4 pm. They are  also open by appointment. Folks can contact Marty by email: at [email protected] or by phone/text message: 867 336-1997 to make arrangements. It is located in the basement of St. Christopher's Anglican Church where the thrift shop is located in the winter (the log church on the Alaska Highway) until the end of August.
  

Junction Arts and Music

• William Prince is coming to town!
  
• August 10 at 7pm at the St Elias Convention Center
  
• Tickets are sold out.
  
• Join in a for a community reception that starts at 6pm
  

William Prince approaches the big questions with humility and curiosity, and his songwriting is a masterclass in skilful simplicity. Since his JUNO Award win in 2017, Prince’s momentum has continued to build, with each new album adding depth and dimension to an exceptional body of work that has received international acclaim. From national network television appearances, top tier media coverage and performances at major international festivals, William Prince has become one of the country’s most respected and celebrated songwriters.
Presented in partnership with @theyukonartscentre. *Please note there will be NO free tickets for seniors or youth 


Village Bakery Concert Series

• Check the Facebook page for the full line-up
  
• Dinner and the show is $40 (Friday is salmon and Saturdays is BBQ Chicken)
  
• Reservations are required
  

St Elias Chamber of Commerce
Stimulating Community Investment ProjectThe St. Elias Chamber of Commerce (SECC) would like to stimulate investment within Haines Junction. Within the community, there are several abandoned, derelict, undeveloped, underdeveloped, dormant, and “tired” properties. In some cases, these properties may pose environmental hazards, reflect poorly on the community, or tie up lands that could be better used to benefit the community and its economy. There are investors who would like to invest in Haines Junction, but who need a better understanding of the potential and limitations of these properties.
While there are many reasons why these properties are the way they are, in most cases, the reasons are poorly understood or based on speculation. As such the St. Elias Chamber of Commerce (SECC) would like to inventory and investigate these properties and find ways to help unlock their potential.
It is the hope of the project partners that better information about these properties – with accompanying recommendations for specific and systemic changes – will lead to increased investment in the community.
Business SurveyThe St. Elias Chamber of Commerce is seeking input from businesses in the region on what's working and what's not working when it comes to MUNICIPAL, TERRITORIAL, and FEDERAL by-laws, policies, rules, regulations, legislation, permitting, and inspections.
What will the SECC do with this information? It depends on what we learn. In some cases, we may choose to lobby and advocate on behalf of our membership. We may also choose to host a follow-up event so our members can collectively bring their concerns forward to the appropriate parties. Either way, we might not know what the issues are unless you tell us.
It's your choice: You can submit an anonymous survey or you can include your business name and contact information. Please complete this survey before midnight on August 31st, 2023.
Save the DateThe next Chamber Chat is scheduled for Thursday, October 12 at 7pm
For more information, visit steliaschamber.com


Shopping!
HJ Farmer’s Market

• Every Wednesday this summer from 4pm to 6pm
  
• Organized by the Haines Junction Community Association
  
• Lots of fantastic vendors!
  
• Email Isabelle at [email protected] to register
  

Sports and Fitness
Drop-in at the Bill Brewster Arena

• Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 2pm
  
• Skate Park, Electric Scooters, Hoverboards, Floor Hockey and Basketball
  

Community Bike Nights

• What: Community Bike Night, have fun riding bikes with friends. Obstacle courses, games, skill stations. All ages and abilities are welcome.
  
• Location: Spruce Street cul-de-sac
  
• Date: Every other Thursday, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24
  
• Time: 6-8pm
  
• Contact Lianna Grice for details or questions [email protected] or 613 530-7977
  
• Grab your bike, helmet, friends and family! Community Bicycle Nights are continuing every other Thursday throughout the summer. The next event will be this Thursday July 13 from 6-8pm at the Spruce Street cul-de-sac (by the water tower). The Boys & Girls Club has bike helmets to loan for those who don't have their own.
  
• All ages and abilities welcome! Come join the fun!
  

Walkabout Wednesdays

• New initiative in town for young people
  
• Organizing walks and gatherings around town → events like a Teddy Bear Picnic in the school park
  
• Starts at 10am 
  
• Contact Elaine Curran for more information
  

Baseball Nights

•  Every Tuesday and Thursday at the school field 
  
• Ages 8 to 13 from 5:30 to 7pm
  
• Ages 14+ from 7:30 to 9pm
  
• Contact Sharmane Jones or Jocelyn Kinney for more info