Presented by
Association franco‑yukonnaiseFollow in the footsteps of Yukon Francophones and discover their heritage in downtown Whitehorse.
Armed with their courage, the first Francophones set foot in the Yukon in the late 1820s. For the most part, they were coureurs de bois who had worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company where they were involved in the fur trade with the region’s First Nations.
EXPLORE
Consult the interactive map to discover the history that correspond to the main points of interest suggested.
CONTEXT
In the 1870s, large numbers of Francophone gold prospectors, clerics and entrepreneurs decided to make a go of it as well. As a result, during the Klondike Gold Rush, French Canadians were already well established in the region, where they played an important role in the local social and political life. During the last century, high emigration following the decline of the Gold Rush, isolation and the lack of adequate infrastructure made English the language of choice, despite an ongoing Francophone presence.
After the Second World War, owing to the development of infrastructure and mining activities, Francophones gradually repopulated the territory, along with others. In the early 1980s, Yukon’s Francophones came together to protect their language rights and establish institutions and services vital to ensuring that their language and culture flourished.
Today, the Francophone community is recognized and highly visible; it is an integral part of the Yukon community.
ON SITE
For a better experience, we suggest that you download the BaladoDiscovery application on your cell phone and use the Preload option. You will then be guided and informed in the field without having to be connected to the Internet network during your travels.
CREDITS
PRODUCTION
Association franco-yukonnaise
DIRECTION, RESEARCH AND WRITING
Stéphanie Chevalier
REVISION
Françoise La Roche
TRANSLATION
Penni Jacques
VIDEO SHOOT AND EDITING
Johan Demarle
FINANCIAL PARTNERS
Economic Development Department, Government of Yukon
Government of Canada
CONTRIBUTORS
Yann Herry, Nancy Power
Photo: Music Yukon
Comments
Whitehorse with a French Touch