June 13, 2007
OTTAWAHer Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct their first official visit to Yukon from June 17 to 21, 2007.
It will be the 13th and last of the Governor General's official visits to each province and territory.
During their five-day trip to the territory, which will include visits to Whitehorse, Dawson City and Klukshu, Their Excellencies will focus their activities on civic engagement, the arts, Aboriginal issues, youth, and the Francophone community. Their Excellencies will also get a chance to experience the extraordinary landscape that makes Yukon so spectacular when they go on a guided tour of Kluane National Park. The Governor General will also present one Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards and preside over a citizenship ceremony.
This visit will also coincide with National Aboriginal Day. Their Excellencies will take part in the celebrations with members of the First Nations and the people of Whitehorse.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
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Media informationIsabelle SerrurierRideau Hall Press Office 613-998-0287www.gg.cawww.ecoutedescitoyens.gg.ca
Detailed ItineraryVisit to Yukon, June 17 to 21, 2007
Sunday, June 17 Whitehorse
1:30 p.m.Official welcoming and investiture ceremonyThe Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond will be greeted by Commissioner Geraldine Van Bibber, the Honourable Dennis Fentie, Premier of Yukon, Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations Andy Carvill, MP Larry Bagnell, and the mayor of Whitehorse, Bev Buckway. The welcoming ceremony will include the review of a guard of honour made up of members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Rangers, the presentation of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, and a citizenship ceremony. Yukon Government Administration Building, 2071 Second Avenue, WhitehorseSPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
2:00 p.m.Meeting with the Honourable Dennis Fentie, Premier of YukonCLOSED TO MEDIA
2:30 p.m.Reception hosted by the Honourable Dennis Fentie, Premier of YukonCLOSED TO MEDIA
5:30 p.m.Meeting and discussion with Yukoner members of the Order of CanadaCLOSED TO MEDIA
6:45 pm. Dinner hosted by the Honourable Dennis Fentie, Premier of YukonHigh Country Inn, 4051 4th avenue, WhitehorseSPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
Monday, June 18 Whitehorse
8:45 a.m.Visit to the Yukon Artists@Work galleryTheir Excellencies will visit a co-operative gallery that exhibits and sells the works of art of 40 local artists.#3B Glacier Road, WhitehorsePHOTO, OPEN TO MEDIA
10:00 a.m.Visit to the Arts Underground studio and galleryThe Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond will visit the facilities, which was donated by a property management company to the arts community to allow artist to exhibit their works and provide classes to the public.Hougen Centre, 305 Main Street, lower level, WhitehorsePHOTO OP, OPEN TO MEDIA
10:30 a.m.Visit to the Sundog Carving studioTheir Excellencies will visit the studio, which was set up by the Sundog Retreat. The centre offers the "Carving our Path" program, which helps young dropouts find a way to express themselves and explore their potential through woodworking.4th Avenue and Strickland, WhitehorsePHOTO OP, OPEN TO MEDIA
11:30 a.m.Their Excellencies Yukon Art MattersThe Art Matters forums encourage dialogue and provide a place for reflection on the creative process and society's perception of art. Similar discussions have already taken place during the Governor General's official visits to other provinces and territories. These conversations go beyond politics and funding, and offer a unique vantage point on a culture in motion. This will be the 18th Art Matters held across Canada and at Rideau Hall. Yukon Arts Centre, 300 College Drive, WhitehorseSPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
3:30 p.m.Their Excellencies "Living Together" Discussion on civic engagementAround thirty representatives from social agencies and non-profit organizations serving young people, women, Aboriginals, immigrants, the poor, and those suffering from addictions will discuss the needs of people in Whitehorse and the surrounding regions, the efforts being made to solve the problems, and the accomplishments of which they are proud. Whitehorse United Church, 601 Main Street, WhitehorseSPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
Tuesday, June 19 Kluane National Park Dawson City
9:00 a.m.Visit to Kluane National ParkCLOSED TO MEDIA
11:30 a.m.Reception with the Champagne-Aishhihik First NationSharing of bannock bread and tea with Their Excellencies.Klukshu VillageOPEN TO MEDIA
6:45 p.m.Dinner hosted by Geraldine Van Bibber, Commissioner of the YukonPalace Grand Theatre, 2nd Avenue and King, Dawson CitySPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
Wednesday, June 20 Dawson City
8:45 a.m.Opening of the new daycare Tr'inke Zho DaycareThe Governor General will preside over the opening of the daycare, which all families in Dawson City will have access to.Tr'inke Zho Daycare, 2nd avenue and Albert Street, Dawson CityOPEN TO MEDIA
9:15 a.m.Visit to the Danoja Zho cultural centreTheir Excellencies will visit the cultural centre to learn about the Trond'ek Hwech'in First Nation before taking part in a discussion with its representatives. Trond'ek Hwech'in Tribal Administration, 1242 Front Street, Dawson CityVISIT OPEN TO MEDIA
10:00 a.m.Discussion with the Trond'ek Hwech'in First NationThe Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond will meet with about twelve representatives from this dynamic First Nationcouncillors, elders, and youthto discuss their ambitions and the challenges they face.Trond'ek Hwech'in Tribal Administration, 1242 Front Street, Dawson CitySPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
11:45 a.m.Community feastThe Trond'ek Hwech'in First Nation will invite the community to eat with Their Excellencies.Trond'ek Hwech'in Tribal Administration, 1242 Front Street, Dawson CityOPEN TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m.Theirs Excellencies "Living Together" Discussion on civic engagementRepresentatives from social agencies and cultural organizations will share testimonials on living in an isolated community with Their Excellencies.Commissioner of Yukon Historical Residence, Front Street, Dawson CitySPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
6:00 pm. Dinner with Francophone leaders for the 25th anniversary of the Association franco-yukonnaiseThe Association franco-yukonnaise will invite Their Excellencies to discuss this small community's accomplishments and the challenges it is facing. They will also celebrate its 25th anniversary.Alpine Bakery, 411 Alexander Street, WhitehorseOPEN TO MEDIA
7:50 p.m.Opening of the Centre d'accueil pour les immigrantsUnder an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Centre de la francophonie has become the onestop shop in Yukon for immigrant hosting and assistance. The Association franco-yukonnaise now offers a complete range of settlement services at the Centre de la francophonie.Centre de la francophonie, 302 Strickland Street, WhitehorseOPEN TO MEDIA
8:00 p.m.Reception with the Francophone communityFrancophone members of the community are invited to meet Their Excellencies and also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Association franco-yukonnaise.Centre de la francophonie, 302 Strickland Street, WhitehorseSPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
Thursday, June 21 Whitehorse
10:00 a.m.Celebration of National Aboriginal DayTheir Excellencies will take part in National Aboriginal Day activities with Andy Carvill, Yukon Grand Chief.Elijah Smith Federal Building, WhitehorseOPEN TO MEDIA
