Newsletter of the Conservation Society Fall 2017 photo: Sarjana Amin

Inside: • Summer at the Canyon • Yukon State of Industry • I Spy A Problem 2 Walk Softly Walk Softly 3

We recycle white goods and e-waste: FLYING TO SAVE THE EARTH Alaska Hwy ll The Yukon Conservation Society is The Yukon Conservation Society has According to their website at www. Raven Recycling Society can now accept all sorts of e-waste (most i H e often described as an environmental turned to eyes in the sky to better lighthawk.org they “…accelerate anything with a cord or a battery) as well as white goods. These il M items must be sent out for recycling. This costs and Raven must 2 Porter Creek watchdog. In the broadest sense that understand what is happening on the conservation success through the charge tipping fees just as the landfill does. means the group keeps an eye on ground. As in the words of the song, powerful perspective of flight.” They Industrial Road Copper developments within the Yukon that “I am the eye in the sky, looking at believe that “seeing our world from Bring these items to the back of Raven Recycling could have an impact on the land. you.” above causes people to care about 9:30am - 3:30pm, Mon. to Sat. what they witness from the air and downtown A typical workday at YCS usually This means YCS has been using More info: ravenrecycling.org stirs them into action when they means ploughing through mineral aircraft fitted with cameras to take return to the ground.” General guideline for pricing: and energy development proposals what are essentially surveillance on the Yukon Environmental photographs. After all, no mining In addition to this, YCS has also been Prices are charged at the discretion of the attendant because Quartz Road Galena and Socio-Economic Assessment company or government entity the recipient of other aerial footage electronics are not created equal. Board website, or reviewing on- responsible for an abandoned mine, obtained by individuals operating RAVEN RECYCLING line applications to the Yukon will let environmentalists wander all on their own. These individuals White Goods: is located here! Water Board, and then developing over the place whenever they please have very kindly turned over the • stoves, washers, dryers $12 each 100 Galena Road written comments that will address taking pictures of all the nastiness photographs to YCS. • fridges, freezers and air conditioning units $35 each environmental concerns associated happening on site. Visual identification of development Microwave ovens: $15 with the applications and proposals. To be fair, they do offer guided tours projects and associated areas within Handheld items: curling irons, computer mice, keyboards, cell phones, recycling when p The idea that environmentalists of their facilities, but one gets the the Yukon do not necessarily have to cameras, etc. $2 each han ossib r t le. spend their days chaining themselves sense they are somewhat controlling show environmental disasters. Aerial tte Blenders, toasters, printers, vacuum cleaners and audio devices $7.00 be to trees or helping baby deer find what one can see and photograph. An pictures taken prior to a project s ay their mothers isn’t really that independent overflight by a camera- commencing can identify important Flatscreens TVs and computer monitors: lw a accurate at YCS. Like most people, equipped plane can see all and it can environmental values and guide 29" or less $15; 30" and above $30 s i our work routine usually consists of be done at the time of YCS’s choosing. development. e CRT TVs and computer monitors: s u staring at a computer screen 29" or less $20; 30" or more $40 e Air photos taken during R for about eight hours a day, Computers for Schools Yukon and after a project can show usually for low wages and no Computer towers and laptops: $15 important remediation and Raven Recycling accepts some e-waste for use in the benefits. Computers for Schools Program. Items collected are closure initiatives. They WHY? Electronic waste in landfills is a toxic time bomb: given to them for certified data destruction. They are It is a rather unfortunate are but one tool groups the heavy metals leak into the soil and groundwater then refurbished and given out to schools and truth that the some modern- such as YCS use to ensure eventually leading to human health issues. White goods take non-profit organistions. Check their website for era environmentalists get to development happens in an up lots of room in landfills and are very recyclable. current needs. www.cfsy.ca spend little time on the land. environmentally sustainable Being a watchdog in this day and age For instance, YCS obtained aerial manner. means a lot of electronic paperwork photographic evidence of a stream So the next time you’re on a mining and not much else. downstream of the Faro Mine site somewhere in the Yukon and Refunds are given to ALL READY TO SERVE LIQUID BEVERAGE CONTAINERS sold in the Yukon. turning a rather unusual colour this However, there is another form of there’s a buzz in the sky, it could well spring. The pictures and analysis are watchdogging that occurs and that’s be the Yukon Conservation Society’s available on the YCS website at www. reviewing what impact existing eyes in the sky. yukonconservation.org. projects are having on the land. Check out the Yukon Conservation How do we get these vital images? This can take numerous forms, from Society website at www. It’s all thanks to volunteers, who examining water test results coming yukonconservation.org and look take these airborne pictures, on their off mine sites (the Faro Mine water at the mining pages. There are own or under the auspices of the test results are particularly awful) numerous aerial pictures and videos LightHawk Organization. to looking at air (and even satellite) of the impacts of mining upon the photographs of the impacts project LightHawk links pilots and land. 750ml and larger less than 750ml milk & milk substitutes are having on the Yukon. conservation groups. Their mandate Lewis Rifkind, Yukon Conservation is “We fly to save the Earth.” 25¢ refund 25¢ refund (all sizes: 5¢ refund) Environmentalists might always Society Mining Analyst These include: juices, soda pop, alcoholic drinks, coffee drinks blended with These include: soy, almond, hemp, rice, get to be on the land, but there is milk or milk substitutes, liquid coffee flavoring, fruit smoothie drinks or coconut milk, milkshake products, the opportunity to visually see what blended with milk or milk substitutes, drinkable yogurt liquid dairy or non-dairy creamer, is happening on the land through liquid whipping cream photography. Aerial photography, to be specific. Fall 2017 Fall 2017 4 Walk Softly Walk Softly 5

This activity, the physical The money being spent on coal YCS Awards the Ted Parnell Walk Softly Coal Mining Isn’t Cool is published by the Yukon Conservation exploration, is not dissimilar to hard exploration would be better spent Memorial Scholarship to Sonny Society for members and subscribers. The Yukon Conservation Society We are already seeing the effects rock exploration, and while there are on exploring for minerals that Parker Memberships and information about the (YCS) is not opposed to mining, of climate change and if we don’t environmental impacts associated are actually useful. Renewable Sonny Parker grew up in Society can be obtained by contacting the as long as it is done in appropriate soon get a handle on climate change with exploration they are minimal energy technologies all use and is entering his third year studying YCS office. areas, in an environmentally caused by the burning of coal (and if done correctly and in accordance copper and zinc. The Yukon is with best practices. blessed with deposits of these in the Northern Environmental and 302 Hawkins Street friendly-as-possible manner, with other fossil fuels), we are all cooked. minerals and surely mining’s Conservation Sciences degree program Whitehorse, Yukon closure plans are comprehensive and The problem is the next stage. If To their credit, the current Canadian energies would be better spent (Yukon College/University of Alberta). Y1A 1X6 adequately funded. commercially viable quantities of Federal Government has committed exploring for and perhaps His love for the outdoors has led him to PHONE: 867 668-5678 coal are found, the decision will Which is all well and good, but what to phasing out coal-fired electricity developing those deposits. question how we as humans can manage FAX: 867 668-6637 does one do when a proponent wants by 2030. No word yet on whether have to be made as to whether sustainable development of the earth’s EMAIL: [email protected] to mine a mineral that is, in the view there will be any commitment to to permit further exploration or Even better, perhaps the natural resources to benefit ourselves, WEBSITE: yukonconservation.org of YCS, positively dangerous? There phasing out coal exports. development. The answer, of course, exploration dollars could be used while at the same time providing for are some obvious candidates for is a resounding no! to recycle and recover existing We welcome newsletter submissions The Yukon has used coal in the past. the conservation of the environment. and letters to the editor. Deadlines for these dangerous minerals. Asbestos minerals from scrap materials. Deposits near Carmacks and Ross YCS recognizes that there are many He has worked in wildland firefighting, submissions are Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, and and coal immediately spring to mind. River were both used in mineral jurisdictions in the world dependent The mere concept of exploring mineral exploration, placer mining, and Nov 1. Views expressed in Walk Softly upon coal for an energy or heat for coal is outdated, much like as a salmon technician field assistant. are not necessarily those of the Society. In the Yukon asbestos was previously production at the Faro Mine. The mined at Clinton Creek and just Yukon has coal deposits near source, but that does not mean we the regulations that govern it. More recently, his work on bird species Publications Mail Agreement number 4154991 across the border at Cassiar, in Whitehorse, Carmacks, Ross River, must permit Yukon coal to feed The world is hotter now, and we population monitoring projects has Changes of address or undeliverable copies northern British Columbia. Clinton and within the Peel Watershed. their coal addiction. They have a know better. The coal age should opened his eyes to the importance of should be sent to YCS at 302 Hawkins St., Creek is now one of the four responsibility to get off fossil fuels, be over. long term monitoring for conservation. Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1X6 Just because a jurisdiction has infamous Type II minesites the just as the Yukon has a responsibility He also has a passion for photography deposits of coal, or any other form Lewis Rifkind, Yukon Federal Government is paying to to develop mineral resources that and believes that imagery can help of fossil fuel, doesn’t mean it should Conservation Society Mining clean up and close with taxpayers’ do not result in the cooking of the people connect with nature and push develop it. In fact, it should do the Analyst YCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS: dollars. The other three are Mt planet. them to take action in a meaningful exact opposite; either develop a Shawna Smith (President) Nansen, the Keno complex, and of way. He plans to pursue a career in new technology, or use an existing The Yukon does have coal deposits, Matt Landry (Vice President) course the Faro Mine. natural resource management and one, to transition away from fossil and it also has coal regulations to environmental stewardship and says, “I Stuart Clark (Treasurer) manage these deposits. They are Mike Tribes (Secretary) Asbestos, including the asbestos from fuels (including coal) for energy hope to use education, photography, Clinton Creek, is a very dangerous generation. The result must be O.I.C. 2003/54 if anyone is interested and a passion for the outdoors to help Alberto Suárez-Esteban in looking at them. Bonnie Burns material. It causes cancer in humans. to leave all currently known coal create a sustainable future for many Dave Mossop The Canadian government says it will deposits in the ground and certainly Despite the 2003 tag in the title generations of Yukoners to enjoy.” Shyloh van Delft completely ban it by 2018. to avoid developing new ones. it looks like they are essentially Skeeter Wright Coal is a bit of a different type Using coal for energy contributes unchanged from the 1954 Territorial of dangerous material. It helped a lot to the gasses that are causing Coal Regulations. How else to STAFF power the industrial revolution and climate change. Coal produces explain the current fees applied to Christina Macdonald laid the foundations of our energy almost twice the carbon dioxide as Yukon coal?. These include such (Executive Director) driven civilization. Even today many natural gas for a unit of energy. There fiscally rewarding provisions as an Roxanne McCutcheon (Finance jurisdictions in Canada rely upon are also very serious concerns in annual rental per acre under lease of Manager) coal for their energy needs. Alberta regards to air pollution. $1.00. relies upon coal for about 41 percent Lewis Rifkind (Mining Analyst) The reason this has all come up is But don’t worry about that low fee, of its electricity generation capacity. Anne Middler (Energy Analyst) because a company has submitted the royalties are even lower. In addition to the annual rental, “a Sebastian Jones (Energy Analyst) Coal also has a hazardous history. an application to the Yukon From the ‘miner’s lung’ of the old Environmental and Socio-Economic lessee shall pay annually a royalty Julia Duchesne (Communications & coal-mining days to the soot, acid Assessment Board (YESAB) to at the rate of $0.10 per ton on Outreach Manager) rain, and other air pollution caused explore for coal deposits near merchantable coal.” Please don’t Sarjana Amin (Trail Guide Program by today’s power plants, coal is Braeburn. It’s on the YESAB website show the placer miners this figure; Coordinator) one of the world’s dirtiest fuels. If as project 2017-0142 and is titled they’ll probably start complaining that wasn’t bad enough, it could Division And Corduroy Mountain that the $0.375 cents royalty they pay WORKERS ON THIS ISSUE also destroy the planet’s current Coal Exploration. on gold per ounce is too high. Tanya Handley comfortable temperature levels Julia Duchesne through climate change. printed on 100% recycled paper photo: Sonny Parker Fall 2017 Fall 2017 6 Walk Softly Walk Softly 7 The Post-Legal Era in the Peel Watershed Invasive Plant Removal at Range Point The Yukon Invasive Species Council Bird vetch is a frustration to home As you probably know, the Yukon Have you paddled in the Peel? Peel Photo Exhibit in Fort (YISC) and the City of Whitehorse gardeners and is a threat to natural Conservation Society was in Ottawa are battling invasive plants growing areas, small grain fields, and Help us share the beauty of the McPherson! this March as the Supreme Court of at the entrance to Range Point, part vegetable market gardens. If not Peel Watershed by sending us one Canada heard the Peel Watershed Monday August 21, 1pm onwards, of the McIntyre Creek Regional Park. removed, bird vetch could expand or two of your favourite photos case. Fort McPherson Rec Complex its range into the adjacent forest, from your paddling trip into the Invasive plant species flourish in PROTECTING THE PEEL compete with native vegetation After decades of First Nation Peel Watershed. Be sure to include disturbed environments like exposed WATERSHED: VOICES FROM and grow towards the creek. White governments and the public calling a caption and your name for the slopes and the margins of roads and CANADA’S NORTH is a unique photo sweetclover can pose a safety hazard for protection of the wild Peel photo credit. CPAWS Yukon and the paths. They can permanently alter exhibition presenting the faces and by obstructing the view of roadside Watershed, and over 3 years of legal Yukon Conservation Society will use landscapes and ecosystem functions words of some of the many whose ditches. battles, we expect to hear the final these photos on social media, at our by competing with native plants for lives are entwined with the Peel judgement from the Supreme Court public events and in our newsletters. nutrients and water. In the Range Removing invasive plants is not easy watershed, an incredible Yukon of Canada this fall. The judgement Occasionally the media will request Point area, bird vetch (Vicia cracca) and requires a multi-year effort. wilderness area recently discussed at will have implications for the Peel, for images for stories they are running is covering the road side and has During the summer of 2017, heavily the highest level of court in Canada. land use planning across the Yukon – please also let us know if you are started to overgrow shrubs such infested areas will be stripped down, Territory and the interpretation of okay with the images being used After its March debut at the SAW as willow and aspens. Bird vetch plant material will be removed and modern treaties across Canada. We by the media. If you would like to Gallery in Ottawa, the show has hit spreads rapidly; it reproduces by seed safely disposed of. Smaller patches don’t know when the judgement will share your experience in another home soil and is making its tour of the and vegetatively through spreading will be dug up by hand, flagged and This multi-year project is funded by be released, but you will be hearing way – through a short story or poem, communities involved in its creation. rhizomes (underground stems). monitored for regrowth. Regrowth the Environmental Damages Fund about it throughout the Yukon and for example – we will happily share Once established, bird vetch is able of native species will be encouraged The exhibit will be up for a special of Environment and Climate Change beyond! those, too! to flourish in a range of conditions and reseeding with native plants will one-day display at the Rec Complex, Canada and in-kind contributions and it is tolerant of fire and drought. be implemented after the first year The Yukon Government has alongside special events hosted by from the City of Whitehorse. Friends Unlike many invasives, bird vetch is of monitoring the site. This is the committed to upholding the Final the Tetlit Gwich’in DGO to mark of McIntyre Creek and the Yukon also capable of invading undisturbed first removal project on a large scale Recommended Plan for the Peel the Gwich’in Tribal Council General Conservation Society as well as the areas. White sweetclover (Melilotus in Yukon! Project progress will be Watershed pending the ruling from Assembly. Visitors can enjoy the Ta’an Kwäch’an Council also support alba) is also found growing along documented and the project will be the Supreme Court of Canada, which beautiful photos and powerful words the project. Interested in joining the road in Range Point. Both plant evaluated. is an important step in the right of those who participated in the the battle against invasive plants? species can form large monospecific direction. This plan recommends project, alongside the special arts Interested persons can take part in stands, overgrow and shade native 55% permanent protection and and crafts displays, feast and dance! the project by helping with the hand- species. 25% interim protection for the removal of plants or collecting seeds. watershed. But there is still a lot of Christina Macdonald For more information please contact work ahead to secure this protection (YCS Executive Director) [email protected] and ensure the waters and caribou of Andrea Altherr the watershed run free and healthy forever. Thank you for your steadfast support over the years – please continue to stand with us as we move into the post-legal era for the Peel.

Mother & Daughter(s) FUND The most touching experience for me was meeting the First Nations people of Fort McPherson. Due to flooding, we forced to stay in the Fort McPherson Campground for a number of days waiting for the road to be restored. We were visited daily by RAISER for the Peel the people of Fort McPherson, bearing gifts of fish, bannock and even a birthday cake for my daughter. One day they prepared a This past summer, I was part of a ten- delicious spread of caribou, bannock and salad from their own garden for everyone in town who was delayed. person canoe trip lead by Jamie Pope I was moved by their genuine hospitality and extraordinary kindness. It is so inspiring to meet people who live off the land in and Emily Cameron. The twenty-day a true community. They share all the gifts the land provides, the porcupine caribou when they come, fish from the Peel river trip took us down the Wind River and the fresh water from the mountains. We were strangers, but they treated us like family sharing their water and food. So in the Yukon to the Peel River in when I returned to Victoria I wanted to do something to acknowledge their kindness. I decided along with my two daughters to the Northwest Territories. It was host a mother daughter(s) art show to raise funds to support them in their quest to save their water which eventually becomes a wonderful trip filled with beautiful everyone’s water. The people of Fort McPherson feel it is their responsibility for future generations to protect the land. I believe scenery, amazing wildlife and good following their lead will show people how to build a sustainable community that will thrive in the future knowing we are all Peel Trip Painting company. by Lynda McLeod connected. The Yukon Conservation Society does great work in supporting this paradigm shift. Lynda McLeod is a Nurse, Artist, Educator and Coach from Victoria,B.C. Fall 2017 Fall 2017 8 Walk Softly Walk Softly 9

We also hosted special themed hikes Created at the Canyon Summer at the on topics from Beringia to Wild By the Numbers Edibles in the canyon and on the This summer was our sixth year hosting our annual art-on-the-trails event, Canyon Over 1600 people took part Created at the Canyon. Created at the Canyon is a unique opportunity to Millennium Trail, including hikes in our free programming this YCS does a lot of great work experience nature through art – and art through nature. During this two-day for the Cadets, Girl Guides, and summer, an increase of more than throughout the year, but summer event, six local artists stationed themselves on the tails around Miles Canyon, ElderActive Recreation Association. 30% from 2016. is special because we get out A new addition this year was a Field creating art and sharing their creative process and stories with more than 400 onto the trails. Our free summer Notebook Workshop where visitors • 757 people joined us for hikes in visitors. Visitors and the artists love this event as well as the amazing artwork programming is one of the ways YCS had the chance to learn about field Miles Canyon – from a total of resulting from the inspiration gained at the Canyon. The artists’ work was gives back to the community. While note-taking strategies and drawing 16 countries including the USA, displayed for the month of August at the Northern Front Studio. This year we working to raise awareness and plants from local artist Misha New Zealand, France, Russia, had all new artists, and new artistic media as well! Our talented artists this protect the Yukon’s environment, we Donohoe. Mexico, Sweden, and Japan! year were: ink drawing and mixed media artist Gorellaume; tapestry and rug have the privilege of helping people • We ran 2 hikes a day, 5 days a hooking artist Françoise La Roche; painter and story teller Shirley Adamson; get out into nature and experiencing encaustic, paint, and mixed media artist Anne Hoerber; paper making and week – that’s nearly 100 hikes! Our Trail Guiding Team the gorgeous land we live on through We also hosted 5 themed hikes sculpture artist Helen O’Connor; and painter and sketch artist Sheelah Tolton. our summer programming. and events, with guest leaders Each summer, we hire three students This event is gaining in popularity with artists and visitors every year, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s art. We have been running guided sharing their expertise on to coordinate and deliver our outdoors programming. This year, hikes in Miles Canyon for more Thank you to our special topics. Thanks to the generosity of our funders, our summer events and programming than 20 years. Our knowledgeable funders! • 488 art and nature lovers saw our trail guiding team of Sarjana are free. Our Miles Canyon programming is supported by funding from the and friendly trail guides have the Canyon from a new creative Amin (coordinator), Tessie Aujla Yukon Government’s Department of Tourism and Culture, the Yukon Summer accompanied thousands of locals and Thanks to the generosity of our perspective during the Created and Tannicka Reeves (trail guides) Career Placement Program, and the federal Canada Summer Jobs program. visitors on free guided hikes over funders, our summer events at the Canyon event and exhibit had a great season on the trails. Created at the Canyon is made possible by the Yukon Arts Fund. and programming are free. Our They jumped into their roles with the decades. Our trail guides take launch party. The artwork is on display at Northern Front Studio until Aug. 31, at which point Miles Canyon programming enthusiasm, enriching the program hikers to Canyon City and back, with • 162 cadets and Girl Guides photos of the art will be online at YCS Guided Hikes and Kid Ed-Ventures on is supported by funding from with a fresh perspective and friendly stops along the way to learn about enjoyed a hiking adventure from the Yukon Government’s interpretive skills. Facebook, and at www.yukonconservation.org. the area’s geological history, First Miles Canyon to Canyon City. Nations and Gold Rush heritage, Department of Tourism and Sarjana Amin • 387 children took part in Kids’ Work at YCS is a great start for animals, edible plants, and much Culture, the Yukon Summer (Trail Guide Program Coordinator) Ed-Ventures, our summer careers in science, education, and more. Career Placement Program, programming for kids aged 5-14. interpretation. Sarjana, Tessie, and and the federal Canada Summer French artist Gorellaume recently arrived in Whitehorse. We think Guided hikes aren’t the only activity Tannicka have now fallen even more Jobs program. Created at the that his striking, richly-detailed otter drawing is the largest piece ever we offer. Our Kid’s Ed-Ventures are in love with outdoors education – Canyon is made possible by the produced at Created at the Canyon! nature- and conservation-themed Yukon Arts Fund. and have become great ambassadors educational adventures tailored for YCS, Yukon history, nature, and specifically for children. Throughout conservation! We’re sad to see them the summer, groups of kids from the go but we’re glad they had a great and Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Skookum memorable summer. Jim Friendship Centre, and other Our summer programming camps and daycares play games and would not be possible without the do activities that revolve around volunteers who dedicate their time plants, wildlife, geology, and history. to help train our trail guides, develop We offer a drop-in Kid’s Ed-Venture promotional materials, help with at the Fireweed Market as well. Over outreach and events, and lead special 250 kids joined us at the market this themed hikes and events. Thank summer to do hands-on learning you to everyone who was part of this activities. season on the trails! We’re already excited about next year, our 50th anniversary year. If you have ideas for a guided hike or special event for the summer or another time during the year, please let us know. Thank you Our trail guiding team (L-R): for supporting our outdoors Tannicka, Tessie and Sarjana at programming – and stay tuned for the canyon. 2018!

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Reflections from the Created at the Canyon artists: Gorellaume Anne Hoerber Sheelah Tolton “I work very much on instinct, and “Taking part in Created in the “Painting at Miles Canyon was a Shirley Adamson being on site at Miles Canyon allowed Canyon was inspiring. Meeting welcome reminder that an intriguing me to be in closer contact with the the other artists and getting to talk scene can be found everywhere “By means of stories told during the energy and power of this land that with the people who come to watch and at vastly different scales- from darkness of winter my ancestors I felt on my 2 first visits, and that I us work gave me so much positive views of dramatic landscapes and passed down through the generations hope translated into my work: the energy, and was such an empowering skies to tiny glimpses of plants our history beginning with creation. mix of beauty and harshness, the experience. daringly dangling out into space. sometimes uneasy experience of With each scale came a different Stories filled with magic and imagery Spending the time in Miles Canyon, the wind, rain and wildlife (insects way of understanding the site. The described our relationships with the taking in those dramatic views, and everywhere!) while drawing, and the landscape is a product of decades physical and the metaphysical. Tagish Kwaan elder connecting with my surroundings wonderful hypnotic sound of water, encompassing ice ages, volcanoes, Shirley Adamson was deeply satisfying. The granite Events were documented in stories the curves and graceful lines of this and the dramatic results of tireless told and illustrated cliffs seem frozen in time, the river that remained unchanged in the environment. movement of water. Imagining the the story of the is always changing, the beauty and telling in order to share with those power and time required to carve the Daughters of the I was also lucky to hear quite a few power of it all imprinted on my soul. who followed how our lives were canyon gave me a new perspective Sun. anecdotes from locals and people lived and the importance of the And oh the colours of the water!! of how truly brief the highlighted who were very familiar with this respect that allowed us to co-exist in I love how the river is alive with goldrush era really was, and by site. I was happy, as a new resident harmony with all the other energies. colour… There are a million shades extension the brevity of human of the Yukon, that my work instigated of blue and green, constantly history in the area. At the same Throughout my childhood I conversation with a lot of different changing and endlessly fascinating!” time, visualizing the daily and hourly heard these stories spoken by my people, and made thematic sense to struggles of a fireweed plant valiantly grandmother in the language of the those that knew the Canyon well - the clinging in a crack mere feet over the Tagish peoples who are the original churning of the water and land, the rushing water brings to mind the occupants of the area in which Miles repetition of curves, and a love for its minute to minute vitality of the flora Canyon is located. animal and plant inhabitants. and fauna in and around the canyon. As I sat before the canvas on All of this, with special emphasis Above and beyond the inspiration the eastern bank of the canyon, on an admiration and respect gained from the location itself, I remembering the Southern Tutchone for the land and its people that really appreciated getting the chance names of the region and hearing the again increased for me during this to interact with the public and not voices of those who walked before me experience. And my gratitude for only share my own vision but to echoing through my mind, the old getting to learn so much about this catch glimpses through others’ eyes stories flooded back to me. site from different sources, such and lives.” The story of The Daughters of the as First Nations stories about the Sun was and continues to be a elusive resident otters. This provided favourite with me; in the ways of the the energy and motivation I needed people it describes one element of to finish the canvas, and underscored the two volcanic eruptions of Mount Françoise La Roche Helen O’Connor the warm Yukon welcome I have Churchill in the Wrangell Range of “Animals were my main source of “Miles Canyon is such a visually experienced since arriving here.” Alaska that laid what is known today inspiration until working at Miles stunning place! The unique turquoise as the White River Ash over our Canyon a few weeks ago. That is blue of the river, the orange lichen- homelands. where water struck me as a new speckled rocks and the many My canvas captures a single image element. I discovered a perpetual delicately fragrant wild flowers and of that event and the accompanying motion which is really hard to plants make it a feast for the senses. story is as close as possible to the replicate on burlap. It was a I was impressed by the constant original telling given my limitations challenge for me. The forest smells motion and flow of the river as I with the English language.” and the beauty of the water helped observed the sway of plant life in Artist Anne Hoerber me focus and become part of the the wind and rain. I was delighted used paint and encaustic work. Comments and questions to use water and plants (wax) to represent the from visitors were like a pep talk and from the canyon location to make luminous colours of the encouraged me to continue creating. handmade paper on site for painting, canyon and the Yukon Getting out of my cabin and receiving sculpture and wild flower collage.” River. (Photo Sarjana feedback from complete strangers Amin) nourished my passion for rug hooking.” Fall 2017 Fall 2017 12 Walk Softly Walk Softly 13

State of Industry in the Yukon Eagle Plain - Northern Cross Yukon Mining Kudz Ze Kayah project – BMC Minerals • Eagle Plain in north central Yukon lies within the Coffee Gold Project – Goldcorp • In March 2017, BMC Minerals, a private company in If you’re like us in the YCS Office, your head is spinning North Yukon land use planning region. London, England submitted a project proposal to YESAB when it comes to the mining, and oil and gas industries • The Coffee Gold project is located approximately 130 • Thirty three wells were drilled in the Eagle Plain basin for a new mine located approximately 115 km southwest in the Yukon – big news is breaking regularly and project kilometres south of the City of Dawson. The project is between 1958 and 1985, one was drilled in 2005 and of Ross River. The proposed Kudz Ze Kayah mine would developments are coming fast and furious. To help you proposed as an open pit, heap leach; no development four wells were drilled in 2012-2013. Currently there be an open pit and underground copper, lead, zinc, silver keep track, we’ve summarized the status of projects has taken place to date, the project is scheduled to begin are eight inactive (suspended) wells at Eagle Plain; and gold mine and would begin commercial production currently in the news. Give us a call at the YCS office – production sometime in 2021. the others have been abandoned. One had to be re- in 2022. 668-5678 – if you want to learn more! We also encourage • In 2016, Goldcorp, one of the world’s largest gold abandoned in 2015. • The project is currently being assessed by the Yukon you to get to know our new government – connect with producers, agreed to purchase the project from Kaminak • In 2014, Northern Cross Yukon (NCY) submitted Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board Ministers and their departments if you have questions or Gold Corporation, a junior mining company. concerns about these projects. a proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio- (YESAB); YESAB recently filed a 94 page information economic Assessment Board (YESAB) to drill and • Goldcorp filed its proposal to the Yukon Environmental request to the company. The company has responded, conduct flow tests on up to 20 exploratory oil and gas and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) at the and a number of review bodies have asked for further wells in the Eagle Plains region. NCY is a small Calgary- end of March 2017. Since then, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in has information from the company regarding the response. filed documents presenting its concerns with Goldcorp, Oil and Gas based outfit; its only backer, the Chinese Overseas Oil • YCS’s main concerns: on-site water treatment issues citing aggressive timelines and inadequate responses to Company (CNOOC) recently sold all of its shares in the and the amount of financial security that will be asked of Kotaneelee – EFLO, Apache and Yukon Government questions and First Nation concerns with the project. company. the company. • Located in the extreme south east of the territory, the Selkirk First Nation has filed documents with YESAB • YESAB referred the project to an Executive Committee Kotaneelee site is where the only commercially viable outlining lack of appropriate consultation. The White Eagle (Victoria) Gold project - StrataGold review due to unresolved questions about the impacts petroleum (gas) was ever produced in Yukon – the site River First Nation has also filed documents with YESAB of the project on the Porcupine Caribou Herd. NCY • A proposed open pit gold mine located between Mayo and opened in 1977 and ceased production in 2012. expressing concerns about how YESAB addresses issues then sought a judicial review of the referral and the Keno; cyanide heap leaching techniques would be used to regarding a First Nation with an unsettled land claim as • Kotaneelee sits on top part of the Liard Basin, one of the case was heard by the Federal court in Whitehorse in extract gold. compared with those that do. largest shale gas resources in the world. April 2017. The ruling was released in late June: the • The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic • In 2015, the company in charge of the site, Houston-based Federal Court dismissed Northern Cross’s application • YESAB has discontinued its assessment process on this Assessment Board (YESAB) completed an environmental EFLO Energy Inc. became insolvent and licenses for three for a judicial review and the project will be reviewed by project until such time as adequate consultation has and socio-economic assessment in 2010. The Government of the four wells were turned over to another company, the YESAB Executive Committee. occurred between Goldcorp and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, of Yukon, Natural Resources Canada, Department of Selkirk First Nation, and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Apache. The fourth well become the property and financial • News broke in April that NCY is suing Yukon Fisheries and Oceans, and Transport Canada, as the Nation. responsibility of Yukon Government’s Energy, Mines and Government for up to $2.2 billion dollars, claiming the four Decision Bodies, issued their decision documents Resources (EMR) oil and gas branch. Both Apache and government put a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing • YCS’s main concerns: an extensive, government to ‘accept’ the recommendation of the YESAB Executive EMR then filed applications with the Yukon Environmental in 2015. The company is seeking reimbursement subsidized all season road running south from the Committee to allow the project to proceed subject to and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) to have for rentals, capital expenditures, and the oil and gas Dawson region to the project area would open up a mitigative terms and conditions. A water licence was the wells abandoned. revenues they won’t be able to cash in on because of the region of the Yukon that does not have a land use plan; issued by the Yukon Water Board. The Eagle Gold Project • Well abandonment involves filling the well with cement moratorium. Yukon Government has not yet filed their increased hunting and wildlife impacts; powered with has signed a Comprehensive Cooperation and Benefits and capping the pipe below ground, and removing statement in response. fossil fuels; water treatment and final reclamation plan; Agreement with the local First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk financial security deposit. Dun. associated infrastructure; experience has shown that it is • In July, Northern Cross dissolved and was re-named not uncommon for well abandonment to fail and the well Chance Oil after NCY’s then CEO withdrew from the • In May 2017, the Yukon Water Board contacted StrataGold will need to be re-abandoned. company. regarding its Project Reclamation and Closure Plan • News emerged last month that the estimated cost of (RCP), identifying “significant deficiencies in the RCP • YCS’s main concerns: a large public payout for that need to be addressed.” These include the presence abandonment for the one well under YG ownership is a private company that never had a viable business $2.4 million. The original owner, EFLO Energy Inc., left of irrelevant and incorrect information, unaddressed plan to develop oil and gas resources; the security questions regarding water treatment, security estimate a security deposit for $625,000 with the government of deposit at Eagle Plain to cover abandonment is only Yukon, which leaves Yukon taxpayers on the hook for $1.8 deficiencies and significant calculation errors in the $1.1M, grossly inadequate to cover abandonment of costing of certain aspects of mine closure. million. eight wells; precedent that a local government cannot • Apache has recently sold all its Canadian assets. The make decisions to care for the land without industry • YCS’s main concerns: (at least) $64.5 million public new owners, Paramount, will be responsible for care and demanding steep compensation for potential “lost investment to upgrade the electricity transmission line maintenance – at least until ownership transfers again. profits” (similar to the concerns about foreign trade between and Keno in order to provide grid power to Eagle Gold Mine; connecting this mine • YCS’s main concerns: security deposits are not deals preventing local governments from regulating activities on their land). to the grid will likely result in more fossil fuels being adequate to cover the cost of abandonment; if public money burned to generate electricity, which will result in higher is used to heavily subsidize closure, there is an incentive greenhouse gas emissions and also higher electricity for companies to walk away from wells. rates.

Fall 2017 Fall 2017 14 Walk Softly Walk Softly 15

Faro Mine – Federal and Placer mining – Dawson region goldfields Territorial Governments • Several placer mining operations (and reality TV stars) have recently been • Located 15 km from the town for fined for infractions of Yukon’s Environment, Lands, and Waters Act. Faro, the Faro mine was once the Infractions have included allowing sediments to flow directly into a stream world’s largest open-pit zinc mine. and depositing waste into a waste management system without reporting. YES! I want to protect the Yukon’s environment and support the Yukon Conservation Society! The mine was abandoned in 1998 and • In 2016 a proposal to placer mine in the Indian River wetlands south of I’d like to make a tax deductible gift! its owner went bankrupt, leaving the Dawson City resulted in a recommendation from the Yukon Environmental __ $60 __ $200 __ $500 __ $1000 __ Surprise us! ______mine for the Federal government to and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) that the wetlands be avoided. take ownership of and responsibility The decision body, Yukon Government, rejected the YESAB recommendation __ I’d like to make a monthly pledge by credit card of $______(charged on the 15th of each month) for. and approved the project. The Yukon Water Board (YWB) then issued a __ I have made a bequest to YCS in my will • At least $250-million has already licence with conditions that supported YESAB’s recommendation to avoid been spent maintaining the mine the wetlands, but the Board was ultimately forced to withdraw this licence Please, sign me up as a member: Memberships are activated on day site and yet not even a handful for legal reasons (under Final Agreements, the YWB cannot issue conditions of receipt and good for 1 year, and of dirt has been cleaned up. The contrary to a decision document). __ Student $10 __ Individual $25 __ Family $40 (2 or more people) include a subscription to the Walk government is spending $40-million • The YWB is holding a public hearing in Fall 2017 on another water license, for __ I am a new member! Softly newsletter. Both donations annually to run pumps to prevent reality TV show associated company Tamarack which has applied for a water __ I am renewing my membership for 2017! the toxic tailings from breaching the license to mine more of the Indian River wetlands. and memberships are dams. The cleanup itself could cost • Discussions about wetland reclamation are currently being undertaken Do not send me newsletters. Instead, notify me by email when they are online. tax-deductible. a further $1-billion, and will most between Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon Government. likely end in a scenario where water Payment Method: Total $______treatment will have to occur on site • YCS’s main concerns: Yukon does not have a Wetland Protection Act. __ Cheque #______enclosed (payable to Yukon Conservation Society) in perpetuity. __ Visa/Mastercard # ______Expiry ______Signature ______• The Federal government has just Tiger Gold Road – ATAC Resources announced a series of community meetings over the month of June to • An all-season, 65 km road proposed to run north-east of to a region Name(s):______Phone: ______get public input on the closure and known as the Tiger gold deposit. Address:______• In March 2017, the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment reclamation plan for the Faro mine. Email – for Tax Receipt and YCS Email List ______• YCS’s main concerns: water Board (YESAB) recommended the project proceed with conditions, including treatment. Water testing results are the development of a comprehensive access regime for all land users and Mail completed slip to: 302 Hawkins St. Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1X6 – Phone: 668-5678 – [email protected] slowly being released by the Faro harvester groups and avoidance of nesting peregrine falcons. Government of Mine Remediation Project team. Yukon is currently reviewing the recommendation and consulting with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. It is of note that the Yukon Government still has not released a Decision Document on the YESAB recommendation after Thank You Volunteers! Casino Mine – Western Copper and two months. Usually Decision Documents are released within thirty days. Thanks to: Gold • YCS’s main concerns: 46 permanent creek and river crossings; habitat • This huge project is currently ‘on fragmentation; increased access leading to wildlife impacts; no regional land The Yukon Conservation Marada and Kaitlin for their help with Created at the Canyon hold’ while the proponent provides use plan in place to help fully understand all the values and impacts. Society wouldn’t be more information to the YESAB the vibrant, active Joshua, Anat and Mary A. for keeping our data systems Panel Review. The company has working smoothly until Dec 31st, 2017 to provide a Roads to Resources/Yukon Resource Gateway Project – Yukon and organization it is without lot of information that YESAB has Federal Governments your help! Misha, Nina, Mary W., and everyone who helped with the trail guiding program and led special events this summer requested. • In 2016, news broke that the Yukon Government had made a pitch to the • YCS’s main concerns: access Federal Government asking them to pay $250 million toward road upgrades Tanya for her help with designing trail guiding material road north-west of Carmacks goes that would benefit three possible major mines in the territory - Coffee, Selwyn through the grounds of the Klaza and Casino. The mining road application, called the Yukon Resource Gateway Caribou Herd; the amount of fossil Project, would see the Yukon government contribute $112 million and industry fuels consumed on site would contribute another $109 million toward roadwork in the Dawson and Nahanni double the Yukon’s greenhouse gas ranges. emissions; proposed wet tailings • YCS’s main concerns: landscape transforming decisions in the absence of a dam (at 286 metres high) would be regional land use plan; no public consultation. an environmental catastrophe in the making. Christina Macdonald (YCS Executive Director)

Fall 2017 Fall 2017 302 Hawkins St., Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1X6

4003 7322

An Army of Problem Solvers is coming to the Yukon! We’re excited about an upcoming event with Shaun Loney, author of An Army of Problem Solvers: Reconciliation and the Solutions Economy. We’ll be learning about how communities can turn environmental and socieo-economic problems into opportunities through creative, grassroots solutions such as social enterprises. We hope to host workshops and a public evening event with Loney and local Yukon ‘solutionaries’ in the first week of November. We’re busy writing funding applications to make this event possible – stay tuned!

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