CBC Community Report for March 9, 2023

Congratulations to…

• Glacier Festival – Wow! What a spectacular event last weekend – there were games, dancing, snow carving, activities for young and old! So grateful to JAM and the event organizers for bringing it all together. We’re all looking forward to next year!

• Cole Pauls for winning the Yukon Historical & Museums Association 2022 award for Education, Innovation, and Community Engagement Award.
  • Cole is a Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Citizen and Tahltan comic artist, illustrator, and printmaker hailing from Haines Junction.
  • Cole’s 2022 graphic novel, Kwändǖr (“story” in Southern Tutchone), is a creative, captivating celebration of the language, culture, and heritage of Dene and Arctic peoples. Kwändǖr features a collection of short stories told in the form of comics, ranging personal experiences, to narratives featuring traditional activities and stories, to documentary-like profiles, and more. 

• Haines Junction sisters, Alia (15) and Sophie (13) Drummond have had a busy last few weeks representing The Yukon at the Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo and the Canada Winter Games in PEI. As part of the Team Yukon Female Hockey team, they helped achieve some territorial milestones at both of the events.

• The Bronze Ulu they secured at the Arctic Winter Games with a win over Team Alaska was the first medal finish in 24 years for Yukon women in this tournament. With 10 points through their 4 games, Alia tied for second in overall scoring over the week and Sophie also chipped in with 2 goals and two assists.

• This past week in PEI, the Team Yukon Female hockey team continued to set the bar for future Yukon athletes at the games national level. With a 2-2 record, they won the first two games for Yukon ever in this tournament and added the first ever shut-out with their 6-0 win over NWT. Sophie and four other of the younger girls from this team will be eligible to compete in the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

• We’re excited for local goalie Ewen Wheeler who is a member of the Whitehorse Jr. Mustangs hockey team. They are heading to Richmond on Friday, March 10 for the Richmond Jets Spring Break Classic hockey tournament. In November the team went to Pitt Meadows and won their division – they are hoping for a repeat performance! Good luck Mustangs!

About Town
Waste Water Monitoring

• The CAFN/VofHJ wastewater monitoring program is detecting high and increasing levels of COVID-19 in local wastewater. CAFN has reinstated its mask directive temporarily to help manage transmission and keep government services operating. They are also detecting higher levels of RSV and influenza.

Grief and Gratitude Ceremony broadcast to communities

• CYFN is hosting a Grief and Gratitude Ceremony at Rotary Park on Saturday March 11 from noon to 4pm. It’s an opportunity for us to honour loved ones lost during the pandemic and celebrate their lives. It’s also an opportunity for us to show gratitude to our frontline workers and community members who helped keep us safe. 
• It will begin with an Acknowledging Grief Ceremony led by Elders and Firekeepers. After the Grief Ceremony there will be an intermission and then the Gratitude Gathering will begin featuring amazing Yukon First Nation musicians and comedians. 
• It will be a great opportunity for us to heal as a community.
• All are welcome.
• The event will be broadcast on CYFN’s facebook page, Northwestel community TV and CHON FM.

Storytime at the Haines Junction Public Library

• 10am Fridays for stories and STEM activities!
• Open House!
  • March 11 from 1-4pm
  • Meet the amazing volunteer board, chat with the librarians and on-call librarians
  • The director of Public Libraries and community library liaison will be there!
  • There have been some changes and updates - come look around and chat with snacks!
  • There will also be prizes!

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.    

Growing!Local gardening maven Jolene Billwiller is getting ready for Spring! She’ll be offering local gardening workshops soon. Contact her at sprucecottagefarm@gmail.com for more information.
Champagne and Aishihik
Day of Honouring Anthony Promozic: 

• March 9th from 2-8 @ Pine Lake

Dän K’è̀ Kwänje Ghäkenīdän – Info Sessions

• The two-year Adult Language Immersion Program is accepting applications for its second cohort! 
• The Dän Kʼe Kwänjē Ghäkenīdän Program is accredited through Simon Fraser University (SFU). 
• Students will earn a Certificate in Language Proficiency during the duration of the program. We offer CAFN citizens an opportunity to reconnect to their language and culture. 
• The Students will follow a typical school calendar from September 11, 2023 to early-June. Classes will run from 8:30-4:00 pm Monday-Friday.

Info Sessions: Held over Zoom
o   Friday March 10               2 pm - 3 pm
o   Friday March 24         7 pm - 8:30 pm
o   Friday April 14            12:10 pm - 1:10 pm
Family Ice Fishing Day 

• Kusawa Lake Campground: Saturday, March 11 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

 
The Spring Break Family Days 

• Has programming a variety of programming in Whitehorse, Champagne, Da Ku, Pine Lake, Takhini River Subdivision and Mount Sima from March 13 to 22. Contact Shannon Maloney or Alexia Workman for details.

Dakwakada Dancers Photos Wanted

• We are looking for photos, video or audio recordings of the Dakwakada Dancers to be showcased at the Da Ku Cultural Centre. Email Millie Joe @ mjoe@cafn.ca by March 15th 

Youth Bison Hunt - March 16 - March 19

• If you are interested in being a Hunter, passing and teaching DÄN K’E or looking for more information regarding this Youth Bison Hunt Camp, please contact Micheal Jim or Josée Lemieux-Tremblay or call our HLR’s Office in Haines Junction at (867) 634-4200, ext. 251.

Shopping!
Thrift Store

• The Thrift Shop, located in the basement of the Log Church is open every Thursday from 2-6 PM.  
• It is run by volunteers, that sort and organize donations of clothing and small household items in the hopes that these items can be reused by community members. 
• Donations of clean, good condition items can be dropped off outside the Thrift Shop at any time. 

Health and Wellness
Art Journaling

• Wednesday evening art journal group provides time and space to be creative in whatever way works for you…. draw, paint, glue, write .  
• All adults welcome- school art room 7-9pm

Art and Culture
Parks Canada

• The application deadline is quickly approaching for the Kluane National Park and Reserve Artist in Residence program. 
• Made possible through a partnership with the Yukon Arts Centre and the Arctic Institute of North America’s Kluane Lake Research Station, this is an amazing opportunity for artists to spend two weeks creating work in this incredible region while connecting with researchers and scientists. 
• The deadline for applications is March 20th, 2023. Don’t wait – apply today! http://ow.ly/qHQj50N2uTj 
• For more information visit Yukonartscenter.ca and follow the links under artist opportunitieshttps://yukonartscentre.com/artist_opportunities/kluane-national-park-artist-residency

Junction Arts and Music (JAM)

• March 10 at 7:30 at the Convention Center- meaganandamy. Tickets are $20. Seniors and youth are free.
• March 18 at 7pm -  Matthew Liens & Friends (Alana Martinson, Elijah Bekk, Dave Haddock and Lonnie Powell).  Tickets are $20. Seniors and youth are free.

Sports and Fitness
St Elias Ski Club

• Did you know we have over 40km of groomed trails in the Haines Junction area? 
• A huge thank you to our local volunteer trail groomers and Parks Canada
• Join the ski club for access to trail maps. There is a trail map at the trail hub near the Wildland Fire base.
• Members is pay what you can. They suggest $50/family or $30/individual for the year. 
• Donations can be made by etransfer to steliasskiclub@gmail.com or find them on Facebook for more information.

Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay

• The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is gearing up for an exciting race on Saturday June 17, 2023. Gather a team and sign up!
• Online Registration begins on Wednesday March 15 at 6am. Go to kcibr.org's registration page for details.
• What's new? E bikes are allowed on 8-person teams but are not required for every rider on that team. See Race Rules for more information.
• We hope to see you there!

BGC Yukon Programming

• BGC Yukon is offering new youth programming in HJ
• Mondays – Fun with Food program is 3:30 to 5:30pm → learn new skills and eat food!
• Mondays - Youth basketball is from 3:30 to 4:30pm
• Tuesday – Girls Group from 3:30pm to 5:30pm for grades 6-12
• Wednesdays - Open gym time from 3:30pm to 5:30pm - ages 12+
• Thursdays - Badminton and Pickleball 3:30pm to 5:30pm
• Thursdays - Introduction to Mindfulness, youth 10+ with adult, or 12+ (adults too!) Be kind to your mind! 6 to 7pm

Hardwater Race

• 2023 races at Pine Lake are scheduled for April 1-2
• Yukon Hardwater racing will be hosting the Third annual Pine Lake
• Entry fees for x country lake race – cash only $150.00 per class
• Friday Night : X country Lake Race Registration 7pm - 9pm (at Pine Lake)
• Saturday: 
  • 8:00am - 10:00am Kids, Trapper Class Registrations.
  • 11:00am Mandatory Racers meeting
  • 11-1:00pm Kids racing , (Kids 11 and under race free)
  • 1:00pm Women’s Race (Age 16 up)
  • 2:00pm 0-600 Race (Age 16 up)
  • 3:00pm 601-open Race (Age 16 up)
  • 4:00pm Trapper Class race (Age 12 - up) 100HP limit must have skimmer
  • 4:00pm Awards
  • 7:00pm - Midnight. Dinner and Live music !!!!
• Sunday:
  • Entry for Drag racing cash only $40.00/class
  • 8:30am - 10:00am All drag racers registration.
  • 10:30am Racer meet
  • 11:00am - 4:00pm Drag racing
  • Drag racing will be double knock out
• Race Rules:
  • No traction products (ie. studs)
  • Racers require Helmet, Tekvest and knee/shin pads
  • Tether cord is highly recommended

Romp n Run

• Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11:30am
• Today’s activity is Sing Along Songs and Bouncy Castle Fun. It’s in the Grand Hall this week.
• Activities are for Kids and their caregivers
• Snacks provided

The Bill Brewster Arena

• Lots of skating - check the schedule online

Adult Volleyball 

• 16+, and St Elias junior and senior volleyball team members are invited.
• Wednesday’s at 7:00- 9:00pm.
• At the school gym.

Basketball

• Mondays at 7pm. 13+

Badminton and Pickleball

• 7 to 8:30pm