OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will be in Yukon, from August 5 to 7, 2013.
The visit will commence in Whitehorse, where Their Excellencies will observe the work of federal and territorial agencies working in collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces members participating in this year’s Operation NANOOK. They will also travel to Takhini, Haines Junction and Klukshu, where they will meet with the Chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, as well as with members of his council and the community.
On the second day, His Excellency will return to Operation NANOOK to witness the first-response work of Canadian Armed Forces troops. During this time, Her Excellency will visit Bridges Café at the Ledge and meet with some of the employees who are living with disabilities, including mental illness. Later that day, Their Excellencies will attend a reception where His Excellency will present the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to individuals who contribute to the well-being of their community.
Here is a detailed schedule of Their Excellencies’ itinerary (Pacific Daylight Time):
Whitehorse
Monday, August 5
5:15 p.m.
Arrival at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
Their Excellencies will be greeted at the airport by Lieutenant-General Stuart Beare, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command; Chief Warrant Officer Gerard Poitras; Brigadier-General Greg Loos, Commander Joint Task Force North; and Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Blais.
Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, 75 Barkley Grow Crescent
PHOTO OP ONLY
Whitehorse
Tuesday, August 6
8:40 a.m.
Visit to Operation NANOOK Headquarters
Their Excellencies will attend a briefing about this year’s exercise and will meet with Canadian Armed Forces members working at the headquarters.
Operation NANOOK 2013 will take place in four distinct geographical locations: Whitehorse, Yukon; Cornwallis Island, Nunavut; King William Island, Nunavut; and Resolution Island, Nunavut. The exercise will showcase Canadian Armed Forces support to civil emergency management situations, its response to threats to public safety, and its assistance to law enforcement agencies.
Takhini Arena, 345 Range Road
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650, stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
9:30 a.m.
Government of Yukon Emergency Preparedness Exercise
Their Excellencies will attend a briefing on the work that the Government of Yukon is doing in emergency preparedness, specifically in response to forest fires. Following the briefing, Their Excellencies will travel by helicopter to Carmacks, the site of recent forest fires, where they will meet federal and territorial partners, as well as volunteers participating in the exercise.
As part of this year’s Operation NANOOK, the Government of Yukon is leading an emergency preparedness exercise in the Whitehorse area. A series of staged exercises will test Yukon’s ongoing emergency planning and preparedness and inter-agency coordination. This is an opportunity for Yukon’s emergency agencies to work with the Canadian Armed Forces and to practice a coordinated approach in responding to emergencies. The following agencies will be involved: the Government of Yukon, the City of Whitehorse, the Whitehorse General Hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other agencies supported by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Various locations
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650, stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
Takhini
1:30 p.m.
Visit to a Habitat for Humanity Build
Along with Chief James Allen of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), Their Excellencies will visit the first Habitat for Humanity build on First Nation settlement land in Canada. The building, a triplex for members of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, is scheduled to be completed in fall 2013.
The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations is self governing with traditional territories in Yukon and Northern British Columbia. Today, CAFN’s main offices are located in Haines Junction, with permanent communities in Haines Junction, Canyon Creek, Champagne, and Takhini River Subdivision. The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations was one of the first four Yukon First Nations communities to sign a land claims agreement in 1993.
Takhini River Subdivision, Alaska Highway
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237,almckinnon@cafn.ca
Haines Junction
3:30 p.m.
Visit to Da Kų Cultural Centre
Accompanied by Chief Allen and members of his council, Their Excellencies will tour the newly opened cultural centre. Officially opened on June 1, 2013, the Da KųCultural Centre is a gathering place that recognizes and celebrates the cultural contributions and way of life of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations peoples. Da Kų means “Our House” in the Southern Tutchone language. It is owned and operated by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. One-third of the centre is leased to Yukon Tourism & Culture and to Parks Canada (Kluane National Park & Reserve) for their respective visitor information services.
280 Alaska Highway, Haines Junction
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237,almckinnon@cafn.ca
Klukshu
5 p.m.
Community Dinner
Their Excellencies will attend a community dinner held at Klukshu, a traditional fishing camp for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. There, Their Excellencies will meet with members of the community who are taking part in an eight-day hike from Neskatahin to Hutchi. Also in attendance will be Chief Allen, members of the council and some of the families attending the Strengthening Families Camp, which is held in Klukshu.
Klukshu Village, Haines Highway
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACTS: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237,almckinnon@cafn.ca
Whitehorse
Wednesday, August 7
9 a.m.
His Excellency to Visit Operation NANOOK Exercises
The Governor General will have the opportunity to witness first-hand the work of the Canadian Armed Forces in collaboration with territorial and municipal authorities during Operation NANOOK. His Excellency will first visit the Immediate Reaction Unit Headquarters, followed by a tour of a mobile medical unit situated at the Canada Games Centre. The Governor General will then travel to Copper Ridge to observe sprinkler line operations, after which he will move to McLean Lake Road to view fuel break operations.
Various locations
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650, stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
10:30 a.m.
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston to Visit Bridges Café at the Ledge
Her Excellency will spend part of the morning cooking and baking with employees of Bridges Café at the Ledge. The Café’s staff are people living with disabilities, including mental illness. This employment provides them an opportunity to gain practical skills and experience, as well as to interact with the public.
The Bridges Café at the Ledge was officially opened in April 2013 in the Yukon Government Main Administrative Building, by the Challenge-Disability Resource Group. This non-profit organization has been assisting people with disabilities in Yukon since 1976. Its mandate is to assist people with disabilities to become active in their community, by learning real job skills and entering the job market.
Lower level of the Government of Yukon Main Administrative Building, 2071 Second Avenue
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Living, 867-667-3673, patricia.living@gov.yk.ca
1:15 p.m.
Reception Hosted by the Government of Yukon and Presentation of the Caring Canadian Award
The Honourable Doug Phillips, Commissioner of Yukon, and Ms. Dale Stokes, along with the Honourable Elaine Taylor, Deputy Premier of Yukon, will host a reception to mark their Excellencies’ visit. On this occasion, His Excellency will speak and present the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to two individuals who contribute to the well-being of their community. The recipients’ names and their citations will be made available at a later date.
The Wheelhouse Restaurant, 2237 Second Avenue
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Cheryl Major, 867-667-5339,cheryl.major@gov.yk.ca
About the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award
Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character. For more information about this award, visit www.gg.ca/caring.
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