Life inYukon: An overview for new arrivals 

This series will concentrate on the important features of each province and territory, such as the environment, culture, and employment prospects. 

Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories provide a vast array of possibilities for new immigrants to choose from upon settling there. With distinct employment opportunities, way of life possibilities, and cultural differences, each province and territory have something special to give new arrivals. 

One of the three territories of Canada, the Yukon is spread out in the north of the country as well as it is home to a small scattered population. Canada’s territories are directly authorised by the federal government, which is vested with its constitutional authority. Yukon provides new arrivals a new chance to experience the beauties of the Northside of Canada such as the Northern Lights and breathtaking lakes and mountains, in addition to a wealth of career and growth chances in the less crowded northern communities. 

In this article, we will outline what victors should know about the Yukon before arriving there.  

Basics about Yukon territory for newcomers 

Yukon’s geography 

Canada’s territory Yukon is located in the northwest. Northwest Territories to the west, British Columbia to the south, and Alaska, a U.S. state, to the west are its borders. 

Seasonal climate changes significantly in Yukon. Although Yukon experiences extremely harsh winters, newcomers may be shocked to learn that the region also experiences warm early summer temperatures, frequently reaching between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius under bright, sunny skies. In the summer, Yukon receives long stretches of sunshine, with the sun occasionally rising well after midnight or, in the far north, even throughout the entire day.  

Like other northern Canadian provinces and territories, Yukon generally has long, freezing winter weather. Winters can occasionally reach temperatures below 30% including a lot of snow as well. The length of the winter evenings increases the further north you go.  

The Yukon has to be prepared for winter. Spend between $150 and 200 CAD on a good winter coat, plus extra money on hats, scarves, gloves, and other layers to cover alongside. Try these retailers for outerwear as a starting point: 

  • Walmart 
  • Marks Work Warehouse 
  • Sport Check 

We suggest parkas for outdoor excursions that last a while. Parkas which may cost over $1000 CAD, are very warm winter jackets designed for below-freezing weather. Numerous premium Canadian parka brands, like Skookum brand and Canada Goose, are available. Rentals of winter apparel are also offered by businesses like The Base Yukon, Arctic Range, and several others for short-term outings.  

Yukon’s population 

Across a sizable region, the Yukon Territory is home to more than 35,000 people. Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, has a population of close to 25,000. The majority of immigrants to Yukon opt to settle in Whitehorse because it is the biggest city in northern Canada. Faro, Watson Lake, and Dawson City are some additional major localities.  

The population of Yukon is made up of about 25% of the First Nation people. These people have lived on his ground for countless years, along with other First Nations tribes that are now divided across Canada. More than 20 First Nations tribes reside in Yukon or have native homelands that extend beyond its present limits. 

Spoken language in Yukon 

English and French are both recognized as the primary language of the Yukon. In the majority of villages in Yukon, English is the primary language that is used to speak. Along with aiding French-speaking immigrants in collaboration with the Association franco-yukonnaise, the Yukon participates in the Francophone Welcoming Communities project. The local First Nations population also speaks eight indigenous languages, including Athapaskan and Tlingit. These languages, some of which are now endangered, are being preserved by the Yukon Native Language Centre.  

The Culture of Yukon 

Yukon’s History 

Its most notable and dynamic cultural groupings are those based on the native people’s history, practices, and language. Up until 12,000 BC, the Northwest Territories were completely covered by thick glaciers, yet the indigenous Dene people soon settled in these difficult and chilly regions. North America’s Dene population is one of the continent’s biggest indigenous groups. As it was thousands of years ago, hunting large game like caribou, deer, and moose and fishing in the Northwest Territories are still important aspects of Dene and Northwest Territories culture. Many Dene gatherings feature talented Dene drummers as a symbol of both celebration and prayer. 

The Klondike Gold Expedition in the 19th century completely altered life in this serene and incredibly habitable northern region. In search of supposed gold in the rivers, 40,000 Europeans travelled from the South to Yukon. They passed via coastal cities and First Nations territory on their way there, altering the traditional ways of living of the First Nations as a result of this protracted encounter. Numerous treasure hunters failed to find gold, but the infrastructure built to accommodate and transport them helped establish Yukon as a recognized jurisdiction first before explorers left again years later. 

Indigenous culture today in Yukon 

Through bright artwork like traditional carvings, deft weavings, and paintings, together with dance and drumming at celebrations and festivals like the Adaka summer festival, the Yukon First Nations peoples have a significant cultural presence in the North. As well as providing insight into the many viewpoints of the First Nations in the Yukon, contemporary First Nations writers of song, poetry, and films also do so. 

Yukon exploration: unusual wildlife and beautiful landscape 

The natural beauty of Yukon can be used to learn about the history of the territory, or you can just enjoy the serene, unspoiled beauty of the north. At the nearby Yukon Wildlife Preserve, tourists can witness spectacular creatures like caribou, lynx, and bison that have existed in the region for thousands of years in their native habitat. To recapture the excitement of the nineteenth-century Gold Rush, hike Miles Canyon or visit the MacBride Museum or S.S. Klondike. 

Yukon’s Emerald Lake and other vividly hued glacier lakes, as well as the serene Takhini Hot Springs, provide for wonderful day outings from Whitehorse where you can appreciate the true grandeur of the Canadian North. 

Economic sectors and employment outlook for a prosperous Yukon 

key industries in Yukon’s economy 

Yukon’s economy is broad and relies on a variety of industries, most of which are resource-based: 

Mining: Numerous people came to the Yukon region in search of gold in 1896, as well as the gold mining business there is still flourishing today. These days, lead, silver, tungsten, iron, coal, and other materials are also mined and explored. 

Fishing: In 24 Yukon lakes and many rivers, whitefish, salmon, and game fish are frequently fished economically and recreationally. 

Hunting and Trapping: Yukon’s First Nations have a strong tradition of both hunting and trapping. Yukoners go hunting for sport, to get in touch with nature, and to provide food for their families and neighbors. 

Energy: Yukon is able to produce a substantial amount of hydropower due to its raging rivers. Additionally, the region uses solar, wind, natural gas, and diesel combustion to produce electricity. 

Tourism: Seasonal tourism is a major source of income for many Yukon enterprises, including tour operators, lodging, entertainment, museums, and more. 

Film and sound: The Yukon’s booming film industry is lured to the region for its stunning landscapes and lengthy daylight hours that permit extensive filmmaking. From throughout the nation, a lot of artists travel to the Yukon to work in the elevated noise recording sector. 

Ways to find a job in Yukon 

Whitehorse is where the majority of jobs in Yukon are expected to be found. Along with the numerous resource-related and service opportunities that exist based on your qualifications and the location of Yukon, numerous residents are employed in government administration by the Yukon government. The Yukon Work Information Network is the province’s most recent job board and employment resource. Based on your desired talents and location, this tool offers free labor market information on more than 100 occupations in Yukon. Utilizing the YuWIN website, you can instantly apply for jobs. 

Ways to migrate to Yukon 

The Yukon Nominee Program  

Through the Yukon’s provincial Nominee Program, the Yukon territory collaborates with IRCC to sponsor international businesspeople and talented workers for accelerated permanent residency status. 

Employers are the driving force behind the Yukon Nominee Program. This means that Yukon firms must first post a job opening locally, and only after getting no applications from Yukon residents may they make a full-time employment offer to a qualified foreign worker. Without a full-time employment offer, newcomers are unable to apply for immigration through the YNP. 

Some Yukon Nominee Programs are listed below: 

Yukon Express Entry: Applicants that satisfy the federal Express Entry criteria can migrate through the Yukon Express Entry draw

Skilled workers Program: Enables individuals with NOC levels of 0, A, or B to work in the Yukon in order to fill roles that cannot be completed internally. 

Business Nominee Program: Additionally, there is a process that allows people to relocate to Yukon to start and run a business.  

Critical Impact Worker Program: To fill occupations that cannot be supplied locally by qualified employees who satisfy the NOC levels of C or D. 

Traveling around the Yukon 

In Canada’s far north, only Whitehorse has a public transit system. Seniors and children receive discounts on the $62 CAD monthly passes. In Whitehorse, taxi services are generally accessible. Personal vehicles are often the most popular mode of transportation for Yukoners. You have the choice of renting, leasing, or purchasing a vehicle if you think you’ll need a car to move around. The advantages and disadvantages of leasing or buying a car as a newbie in any location are listed by the Canadian government

How to proceed with your studies in Yukon as a foreigner?  

A fantastic opportunity to get a completely unique perspective on your education is to study in Yukon as an undergraduate or graduate student. The Whitehorse-based Yukon University is a small university that can provide small classrooms and hands-on learning opportunities in a wide range of subjects. While enrolled in advanced English as Second Language classes designed exclusively for students, you can also enhance your English. Unlike other universities, Yukon has reduced tuition costs, which can lower the costs associated with enrolling overseas students. View the features Yukon University offers prospective students from around the world. 

Conclusion 

Migrating to the Yukon is an opportunity that is unparalleled because it allows residents to explore Whitehorse’s advantages as a modern metropolis while also learning about the historic First Nations cultures and adventurous gold Rush attitude. Newcomers will have the chance to live in one of the world’s greatest serenely wonderful places and experience professional growth and generate new opportunities for themselves and their families if they use Yukon’s helpful resources to find employment or if they decide to move there to launch a business. 


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