Yukon commemorates 125 years since becoming a territory of Canada

Following a gold rush boom propelling the remote northern region into the international spotlight.

Yukon entered confederation on June 13,1898 and was established Canada’s second northern territory by Yukon Territory Act.

Steeped in history the territory is an integral part of the tapestry of Canadian heritage.

According to Statistics Canada, Yukon led the country in population growth by 12.1 percent from 2016 to 2021, as its population grew from 35,874 to 40,232.

Approximately 22.2 percent of Yukon’s population, according to the 2021 Census are Indigenous Peoples.

There are 14 Yukon First Nations and eight language groups across the territory.

During the anniversary commemorations, the Government of Yukon, in collaboration with the Yukon Historical and Museums Association (YHMA), launched the $400,000 'Yukon 125 Fund.'

The funding is set aside for each First Nation and municipal government and is aimed at community projects promoting the territory's heritage, culture or history.

Janna Swales, YHMA’s board president, reportedly said the fund is about recognizing the different experiences that led to the “territory we know today” while acknowledging the “darker parts of our past.”

“We are all working with our past to build a really positive feature,” Swales told CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

Swales said half of the funding is still available. The deadline to apply is June 30.

The Yukon Legislative Assembly held a special sitting Tuesday afternoon, in Dawson City, Yukon's first established capital and historic place where gold was discovered in the late 19th century.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)