CBC Radio Community Report for July 10, 2025

​This is the July 10, 2025 CBC Yukon morning radio community report for Dakwakada-Haines Junction. This report is produced from information sent by the community or gathered from bulletin boards and Facebook groups for HJ. Please let Kari Johnston know of any errors or omissions. The report is also published to volunteerhainesjunction.com and to the Echo (when possible.)


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👋 Introduction


👉Weather: K’ùk kulį- it is cloudy


👉 Much needed rain a few weeks back really helped to green things up. Gardens are growing and Pine Lake has been a busy place as people enjoy the warmer weather.


👉 A big thank you to everyone working in Wildfire management and response. We’re so grateful for all the work you do to protect our communities.


👉Congratulations to all of the competitors in the Bike Relay – and thank you to the organizers and volunteers.


👉 New fun businesses are springing up in the community – most recently, the Little Green Apple is expanding their offerings to include boat rentals! And Heather Grantham has opened a fabulous “Pop Up Pie Shop” outside the Raven’s Rest Inn where she’s offering pies, sourdough bread, fresh produce, preserves and other treats!


👉Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt Dance Festival was fabulous and so very special – see you again in 2027!


👉Thank you to the Village of Haines Junction for hosting a fabulous Canada Day event, volunteers, parade participants and Lions Club for flipping the burgers and hotdogs! There was also a great Bear Awareness demonstration as well.


👉Congratulations and thank you as well to Mayor and Council and Village Staff for hosting some great Financials 101 and 201 presentations for the community on the Village of Haines Junction’s financial health. It’s really heartening to see what a strong financial position the Village of Haines Junction is in – decades of strong financial management and capital planning and implementation have done us well. You can read the report in the June 25 Committee of the Whole Agenda package: https://hainesjunction.ca/p/council-agendas-and-minutes


👉 Phase 4B of water/wastewater replacement underway – they are currently working near the Convention Center. It’s so great to see the continued investment in our community in our infrastructure. We’re a growing town, with 28 lots coming into market later this summer/fall. 




👉 Congratulations to the 2025 Community Recognition Award Recipients:


Awardee
Reason for Nomination
Category
Description of contribution

Cathy MacKinnon
Volunteerism and long service
Music, arts, culture
Dakwakada Dancers

Patty Moore
Volunteerism and long service
Social services, citizenship
St. Elias Seniors and Elders Society

Jolene Billwiler
Volunteerism
Sport
St. Elias Ski Club

Cindy Cowie
Volunteerism
Sport
Haines Junction Soccer Club

Nicolas Filteau
Volunteerism
Arts
Lighting for Creative Junction's year-end performance

Chantal Freniere
Volunteerism
Music, arts, culture
Glacier Nights Festival, Halloween dances, arena disco nights

Andy Hall
Volunteerism
Sport
St. Elias Ski Club

Collin Kallio
Volunteerism
Sport
St. Elias Ski Club

Ryan Kinna
Volunteerism
Sport
St. Elias Ski Club

Megan MacKellar
Volunteerism
Sport
St. Elias Ski Club

Grace Mendez
Major achievement
Culture, education, social services
Business-related contributions


In recognition of significant milestones:
Awardee
Milestone

Roy and Beth Martinson
50th Wedding Anniversary

Ron and Iris Wilson
57th Wedding Anniversary

Ron Wilson
80th Birthday








👋Champagne and Aishihik First Nations


👉General Assembly
Happening in Klukshu and Dalton Post this year July 18 to 20.
For more information, please contact Millie Joe
CELL:      634-5243
OFFICE:  634-4200 ext. 233
KLUKSHU COMMUNITY SWAP AND SELL  
Join us for a day of fun, deals, and community spirit at this local re-use market!
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: CAFN General Assembly, Klukshu
Bring your items to sell, some cash to shop, and a good dose of community cheer. See you there!


👉Vendors Wanted!
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations is seeking vendors for this year's General Assembly!
Date: July 18-20, 2025
Location: Klukshu
Contact:
Heather Callaghan, Economic Development
867-335-9361




Call out for CAFN Citizens!
The Language & Culture Department is creating an interactive Language Calendar, and we want you to be part of it!
We’re looking for:
Southern Tutchone or Tlingit speakers;
CAFN artists (honorarium provided!);
Photos of Citizens on the land or in cultural activities.
Help us celebrate and preserve our language, culture, and stories,  through your voice, your art, and your experiences.
Deadline to submit or connect with us: August 1, 2025
Email [email protected]




👉Travel Advisory
The status of the Aishihik Road has been changed from "closed" to "travel advisory."
This means CAFN Citizens can travel to the Asheyi community. However, they should still be careful when travelling the road as there is still a wildfire in the area.


👉CAFN Elders
Haines, Alaska Day Trip
July 29, 2025
Registration deadline is July 22, 2025.
There are Waivers to be filled out prior to leaving.
Please ensure you have proper Identification/Passports for this trip.
Transportation from Whitehorse, Takhini & Champagne available.
There is limited seating.
To reserve your seat, please sign up with
Darline Blair- Graham at 634-5216




👉CAFN Citizens: Economic Development Strategy Survey
CAFN is creating an Economic Development Strategy and wants your input. Share your feedback and be entered into a draw for one of three $150 FasGas gift cards!
SCAN HERE to take the survey and enter into the draw.
Survey link: https://tinyurl.com/CAFN-EcDev-Citizen
The survey will be open until July 30, 2025


Help Us Name the New Takhini Community Hall!
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) is excited to name the brand-new community hall in Takhini—and we want your help.
Got a name in mind? Send your ideas to Jennifer Lee at [email protected] Deadline: Midnight on Thursday, July 17th
Spread the word and share your suggestions today!


👉Champagne Fun Day
Please join our CAFN Education Department at Champagne -
Kids aged 12 and under require adult supervision
July 26, 2025 from 10am to 3pm
Champagne Hall


👉Takhini Citizens, we are hosting a Community Kitchen from 5-9pm on July 31
At the New Takhini Hall.
Please Contact :
Beth Dawson
Utsän nànji (Case Manager) Whitehorse/Takhini River Subdivision
Dän Tsʼän Nännji; Community Wellness
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
CELL: 867-334-9428
OFFICE:  867-456-6888
[email protected]


Calling all Yukon First Nation individuals and families
A n y  P l a n s ..... this weekend?
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY, HARVEST, CREATE & PRESERVE EDIBLE PLANTS?
Join myself (Äts'kia) and my mother (Chukälma) on either **** JULY 10th or 11th**** from 11:30am to 4:30pm from pick up/drop off in Whitehorse.....or anywhere along the highway to Takhini Subdivision area.
Please note this programming is fully funded by Council for Yukon First Nations as part of their 'Land-based Healing Fund' and is open to all Yukon First Nations (individuals/families) and other First Nation families living in Yukon.
Feel free to text message or call me with any questions:
778.220.1053 (*I do not have notifications on for Messenger, hence slower response time if reaching out in this way).


👋Community Health & Wellness Plans
👉 Haines Junction engagement Sessions happening July 28-30
Help plan and create a vision for community wellness and identify strengths, needs and priorities.
More information coming soon!


👋Village of Haines Junction
👉 Free Store has reopened
Fresh coat of paint and maintained by volunteers who receive an honorarium. A huge thank you to all who have helped to make it happen! If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the Village office.


👋Junction Arts and Music
👉Let Gwaandak Theatre tell you a story…
This year for Indigenous Summer Play Readings, we are excited to be sharing two scripts that are new to the Yukon - The Spirit of the Valley by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse and Jordan by Yvette Nolan - and you are invited to join us in Haines Junction!
Sunday July 20th - Jordan (12:00PM Start) & The Spirit of the Valley (1:30PM Start)
Location: Village Bakery & Deli - Haines Junction YT
Hosted by Junction Arts & Music


This event is free to attend!




👋Community Markets
👉 The fabulous summer markets are returning again this season.
The first summer Market is Wednesday, June 18 from 4-6pm. The last Market is September 3rd. Markets will be hosted at the St Elias Convention Center.


👋Village Bakery
A reminder that reservations are required for the famous music & dinner at the bakery on Fridays and Saturdays.
It’s a BIG line up this weekend – Cows Go Moo on Friday and Kevin Barr on Saturday!
Grab your reservations now -
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/villagebakery2025 


👋Parks Canada


Parks Canada has a great lineup of free programs for all ages running until the end of August.


Special Campfire Talk with John Fingland: Something frozen In the Ice
Saturday, July 12th at 7:00pm
Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake)
Come hear historian and storyteller John Fingland talk about the First Nation knowledge of glaciers and ice patches and then tell stories about them.
Experience replicas of tools found originating thousands of years ago trapped within ancient ice patches.
 
Bring a mug for tea or hot chocolate
 
Parks Day Guided Hike / Sheep Creek Trail / July 19 / 11am-5pm: Meet at the Ä’äy Chù West parking lot and learn how climate change is impacting the hydrology, vegetation, and wildlife in the park.  Wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks.
 
 
Kluane Creates
Sunday / 11am-1pm / FREE
Kathleen Lake Day-Use Area
Explore your creativity in the heart of
Kluane! All ages and skill levels are invited
to experiment with diverse art mediums
and create memorable pieces with family
and friends.
 
Glacier Evenings
Wednesday / 7pm-8pm / FREE
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Visitor Centre in Haines Junction
Celebrate the UNESCO International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and
discover the vital role of Canada’s changing frozen landscapes through
engaging speakers, films, and talks, all while enjoying a complimentary cup
of hot tea or hot chocolate.
July 9 - Losing Blue
Watch a powerful cinematic poem about losing the otherworldly blues of ancient mountain lakes and together the audience will have a chance to reflect and share about what losing blue means to them.
July 16- Water on the Landscape
Join glaciologist Dr. Michel Baraer from the University of Quebec as he presents his research on how climate change is affecting mountain water sources– especially glaciers and permafrost.
 
 
Campfire Talks
Thursday-Saturday / 7pm-8pm / FREE
Kathleen Lake Campground
Gather around the fire and hear about Kluane’s history, wildlife, and
ever-changing ecosystems. Please bring your own mug to enjoy some
complimentary tea and hot chocolate under the Yukon sky.
 
Kokanee Stroll
Saturday / 3 pm-4 pm / FREE
Kathleen Lake Day-Use Area
Join us on a scenic walk on the stunning shore of Kathleen Lake and hear the
mysterious story of Kluane’s Kokanee salmon along the way.
 
 
Northern Nights Festival / September 19-20:  Celebrate the return of the night sky at Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake) with Parks Canada, the Yukon Astronomical Society, and many other partners.


 
👋Augusto!
👉Ticket sales are underway and selling fast! Join us for the 6th annual Augusto! Children's Festival happening August 8th to 10th for kids aged 2 – 12. A full weekend of dedicated kid fun! The Great Balanzo from Edmonton will be joining us this year along with Vancouver magician Travis Bernhardt. The Dakwäkäda Dancers will open the festival late Friday afternoon, followed by a family dance with Claire The Clown Dance Band. There are 34 confirmed one hour workshops – art, music and robotics are all on offer! Add in the Friday dance and two theatre shows and it is a great family weekend. Purchase weekend passes online at www.augustokids.ca    $25 for ages 2-4 and $40 for ages 5-12.


👋Thrift Store
👉 The Haines Junction Thrift Shop is closed for the summer, and cannot accept any donations until the fall when we reopen.  We thank everyone for their donations and purchases over the past year, and we will see you in the fall.   Have a great summer! 


👋Sports, Health and Fitness


👉Romp-n-Run
Romp n Run is on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-11:30am
Come enjoy a facilitated program, followed by a healthy snack, and free play.


👉Massage
Rebecca Schatz, massage therapist, will be relocating to Bear Creek Lodge as of Oct 1st located at 103091 Alaska HW. 
Sessions can be covered through insurance. To book online head to https://lotus.janeapp.com/ or text (250)797-4921.


👉Pedal Junction


WE GOT FUNDED!!!!!!
The Pedal Junction team is excited to share that our Lotteries Yukon funding application was successful! The bike skills park project is funded!


Over the coming weeks we will be working on pre-construction activities, including bike skills park design and continuing to fundraise our portion of the project budget, while we wait for the land tenure process to be completed. Now is a great time to buy Pedal Junction t-shirts!


Bike Nights are baaaaaack! Meet us at the Spruce Street cul-de-sac every other Thursday from 6-8pm for an evening of riding bikes with friends. We'll bring the skills stations and wooden features, you bring your bike and helmet! A huge thank you to Castle Rock Enterprises for donating rundown old pylons and candlesticks for us to build our obstacle courses at Bike Nights.


Pedal Junction T-Shirt Fundraiser!
T-shirt artwork by Shadunjen van Kampen
$30.00/each
Comes in sizes Youth Small, Medium and Large
Adult Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL
email [email protected] to order
or text/call 867-335-0440




👉Kluane Running Club


Pine Lake Triathlon


Sunday, July 20: Join for the first (hopefully annual) Pine Lake Triathlon leaving from Pine Lake/Tsi Man beach for a 1km swim, 23km bike ride and 6km run. This is volunteer-run and self-supported, with safety checkpoints along the way. This is open to all and supposed to be a fun relaxed event for the community! Thanks to our volunteers and sponsors! It is $15+tax to register, covers the cost of hot dogs/hamburgers and a couple of prizes.


Additional Information:
While Pine Lake does warm up, you may want a wetsuit for the swim this is a personal choice. The water temperature will be posted here days before the event. There will be Search and Rescue boats on the water during the swim. Participants must carry bear spray for bike and run portion. Dirt logging road for the bike section so hybrid/gravel bike recommended. Bikes can be dropped off ahead of time on the other side of Pine Lake, with volunteers watching this transfer station. The bike ride is dirt logging road and then highway. Running on paved Trans Canada trail along the highway back to the campground. If you;re visiting from Whitehorse farther out, you can camp at Pine Lake! Email [email protected] for questions.

For more information: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/105714/pine-lake-triathlon