1970

Other News From 1970

The Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, announces an oil discovery by Imperial Oil forty miles northeast of Tuktoyaktuk.
The Liberals run a slate of candidates for election to the Yukon Territorial Council. Liberal candidates are: Clive Tanner, John Hoyt, Don Branigan, Hilda Watson, and Fabian Solois. Other candidates include Jack Burrows, Harvey Kent, John Watt, Ken McKinnon, Ralph (Buzz) Hudson, Norm Chamberlist, and Mike Stutter. Clive Tanner, Norm Chamberlist, Hilda Watson, Mike Stutter, Ken McKinnon, Don Taylor, and Ronald Rivett are elected. Appointed to the new Executive Council are Hilda Watson and Norm Chamberlist.
On February 1st, the Canadian Forces establish a three man detachment in Whitehorse to improve liaison and coordination with local authorities. Following the creation of the Northern Command on 15 May 1970, this Detachment and its sister unit in Yellowknife became part of the Northern Region with the Canadian Forces Northern Area Headquarters located in Yellowknife. Major Stu Deacon is Commander of the Yukon detachment.
Charlie Abel is named the Justice of the Peace in Old Crow.
A winter road is constructed to Old Crow and on to an exploration site forty miles past the settlement. Geophysical tests are carried out.
Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous dog team races are held on the Yukon River but farther down stream than in the past since the Whitehorse Hydro Dam has affected freezing of the Yukon River in front of the White Pass train depot. Fourteen teams compete. Seventeen year old Stanley Njootli of Old Crow is champion.
Sybil Hackney of Whitehorse is named Rendezvous Queen. U.W.E. Meyer, working at Hougen’s Photo store, is the flour packing contest winner. He carries seven hundred and fifty pounds.
The first Arctic Winter Games are held in Yellowknife. Two hundred and thirty Yukon Athletes compete and bring home forty-six medals. Hudson Bay Mining announces plan to build a six hundred tonne per day concentrator at Quill Creek, near Kluane on their nickel property. Start-up is expected in 1972.
Gavin Relly, President of Anglo American Corporation, a subsidiary of Oppenheimer’s DeBeers Corporation, visits the Yukon. The company controls Hudson Bay Mining with mining interests in the Quill Creek area and twenty percent of White Pass Corporation.
Bert Norrie is President of the Whitehorse Board of Trade with Bill Royds, V.P.
"Black Mike" Winage of Dawson City celebrates his 100th birthday.
Bill Wiegand and Mrs. Paul Germain are named to the Yukon Liquor Board.
Legalized gambling is permitted in the Yukon.
Mrs. Marie Ange Cyr dies at age 85.
G.I. Cameron retires after forty-five years of government Service in the Yukon.
Mary Frost of Old Crow is the Canadian Cross Country Junior Ski Champion.
The third annual Polar Games is held in Whitehorse with eight hundred competitors.
Hon. Jean Chretien announces that two elected territorial councillors will join Commissioner James Smith and two civil servants, R.A. Hodgkinson and Keith Fisher-Fleming to form a five person executive council.
White Pass plans survey for rail extension north to Carmacks.
Through the efforts of Cal Miller, "Yukon Day" is held at the horse racing track in Vancouver.
Yukon Territorial Council holds sessions in Watson Lake.
One hundred and two Airstream trailers of the Wally Byam Group arrive in Whitehorse.
Whiskey Flats has been planted with grass and renamed Rotary Park.
The annual Canadian Legion European charter leaves on Wardair 727 on July 1st with 114 Yukoners on board.
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau accompanied by cabinet ministers Arthur Laing, Don Jamieson and Jean-Luc Pepin visits the Yukon.
The City of Whitehorse appoints Robert Byron to position of Economic Development Officer.
Alex Berry is named "Pioneer of the Year" by the Yukon Order of Pioneers.
The first meeting to form a University of Canada North is held in Inuvik.
The first Yukon Indian Days is held in Whitehorse. The Teslin Dancers in traditional clothing performed.
Commissioner James Smith welcomes twenty-one ambassadors from Ottawa on their annual northern tour.
Jack Butterworth, long time Dawson City businessman, dies in October.
Colin MacDonald retires from Anvil Mines. He joins Venus Mines as General Manager .
Keith Belliveau resigns as City Manager. He is succeeded by Bob Byron.
Mike Comadina is elected Mayor of Dawson City.