Board Meetings
A few highlights from YHRB
The Yukon Heritage Resources Board held its May 7-8, 2010, Board meeting in Mayo at the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun Government House. In addition to a tackling a full meeting agenda, the Board was able to tour the new FNNND building, visit Binet House Interpretive Centre and the Keno City Mining Museum, tour Mayo heritage sites, and meet with residents in Mayo and Keno City to learn more about local heritage issues and concerns. The Board joined former YHRB member Mike Mancini, FNNND Mining Liaison Josee Tremblay, and Elsa Reclamation & Development Company Ltd. (ERDC) staff for a tour of Elsa and an opportunity to learn about plans for the buildings on the site. The Board appreciates the assistance of the following in making its May meeting a success: Chief Simon Mervyn, Sr., Council, and staff of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun; Mayo Historical Society; Silver Trail Tourism Association; Village of Mayo; Alexco Resource Corporation and ERDC; and Mayo and Keno City residents. Locally based Board members Anne Leckie and Sharon Peter were instrumental in organizing events and making the Board feel welcome. YHRB appreciates the opportunity to learn more about Yukon heritage issues during its community meeting each spring, and felt that May's meeting was particularly informative and provided useful direction for the Board.
The Board's November 2010 and February 2011 meetings in Whitehorse provided opportunities for updates on the activities and projects of the Yukon Department of Tourism and Culture's Cultural Services Branch and the Self-Government Secretariat. The Board also participated in training related to the Yukon's Historic Resources Act and started a Strategic Planning process to guide its activities for the coming years.
During its November meeting, the Board considered applications for the 2010 intake to the Yukon Historic Resources Fund (YHRF) and forwarded funding recommendations to Minister Elaine Taylor. In January of 2011, Minister Taylor approved the Board's recommendations to fund the following projects through the YHRF :
- Ed and Star Jones: Cemetery Restoration
- Erin McMullen and Babe Richards: The Unsinkable Babe Richards biography project
- Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club: History of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club
- Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society: Interpretive Boreal Signage/Train Audio Capability for Community Museums
- MacBride Museum of Yukon History: Yukon Sternwheeler/Waterfront History General Interest Book
This year, $15,300 was made available for these projects through interest generated by the fund and supplemental funding from the Yukon Government Department of Tourism and Culture.
The Board's recommendation to designate the wreck of the A. J. Goddard as a Yukon heritage site was approved by Minister Elaine Taylor, and designation was finalized in June of 2010. The designation process for Ft. Selkirk was also finalized in 2010.
In 2010, the Yukon Heritage Resources Board welcomed reappointed Board member Testloa Smith and new Board members Roger Ellis and Sharon Kabanak. The Board would like to thank outgoing members for their years of service with the Board and for their dedication to heritage causes in the Yukon.
The Board enjoyed hosting the November Heritage After Hours at its office in Whitehorse. The event was a great opportunity meet members of the public, heritage, and UFA Boards and Committees communities. In the coming year, the Board looks forward to continued participation in the heritage community and engagement with the UFA Parties, as well as training related to its mandate.
The YHRB office is located in the historic Taylor House at 412 Main Street in Whitehorse. We can also be reached by phone at 668-7150 or by email.
The board in Old Crow