Heritage Day

Heritage Day (YT) History

Heritage Day, as observed in Yukon Territory, honors the unique cultural heritage and distinctive historical legacy of the territory. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge and revere the rich blend of First Nations, European, and Asian cultures that encompass Yukon's historical tapestry. This event not only provides a platform for individuals to deepen their understanding of Yukon's cultural diversity but promotes preservation activities that ensure the safeguarding of the area’s multicultural heritage.

The beginnings of Yukon's Heritage Day extend back to the 1970s when the Yukon Historical and Museums Association, motivated by Canada’s Centennial in 1967, initiated the event to commemorate Yukon's past. Significantly, in a country as diverse as Canada, Heritage Day reflects the country's commitment to embracing and honoring its cultural diversity. For the people of Canada, Heritage Day in Yukon serves as a vivid reminder of the manifold contributions of various cultures to the nation's identity, fusing together an array of traditions, customs, and narratives that make up the rich tapestry of Canadian heritage in the north.

Heritage Day in Yukon is customarily observed with an array of activities that help to enhance understanding of the territory's history and culture. These can include exhibitions, parades featuring traditional dresses of different cultures, music and dance routines, and a host of family-centered activities. Yukon’s Heritage Day is a statutory holiday and it takes place annually on the Friday preceding the last Sunday in February. The day invites Canadians, notable in Yukon, to appreciate their past and encourages them to weave it into their present and future, enhancing their sense of identity and fostering a more culturally sentient society.

Top facts about Heritage Day

• The theme for Heritage Day in 2024 was Diversity of heritage – recognizing the past and celebrating the future.
  In 2023, the theme was Heritage Changes.
• According to Yukon.ca, in 2023, Yukon has a population of over 44,000 people. About 28,000 people live in the capital city Whitehorse.
• Heritage Day coincides with an annual celebration known as the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous. It is a community-wide winter festival that has been going on since 1945.
• This is the law of the Yukon, that only the strong shall thrive; that surely the weak shall perish, and only the fit survive - British-Canadian poet Robert W. Service, nicknamed the Bard of the Yukon.

In the News and Trending for Heritage Day

Top things to do for Heritage Day

• Visit the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous in Whitehorse, Yukon. It is an annual winter festival that occurs in February.
• Nominate someone for a heritage award. The Yukon Historical & Museums Association present awards to individuals, organizations, or businesses that make special contributions to the conservation of Yukon heritage. More details can be found at Yukon Heritage Awards.
• Watch a film that highlights the culture and diversity of the Yukon. Here are our suggestions:
  The Yukon Assignment (2017)
  Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016)
  Belle of the Yukon (1944)