Claire Festel

Claire Festel was born and raised in a small town in Gaspé, Quebec.  She came west to attend college and then north seeking a summer job in 1977.  She moved to the Yukon in 1979, living for 11 years in the Elsa-Keno area.  She now resides at Marsh Lake.

A writer, trapper and destination marketing expert, Claire has worked in the media, mining and tourism.  She is known for her organizational leadership skills and was instrumental in putting together teams to develop the internet in the Yukon, establish tourism as a key economic engine in the territory, and bring the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race onto a solid financial and organizational footing.

Claire’s interest in Yukon’s heritage has grown as a result of her connections to tourism and the community.  She was selected chair of the Yukon Heritage Resources Board in July, 2007.