Julia Lane, a Vancouver mining geologist who died in a Yukon plane crash in August, is the recipient of the 2019 Kate Carmack Women in Mining award.

Lane, 33, was a passenger aboard an Alkan Air Cessna 208 piloted by Whitehorse resident Shawn Kitchen, 24, when it crashed Aug. 6 on the north side of Mayo Lake. He also died.

“Yukon Women in Mining (YukonWIM) is honoured to recognize Julia Lane was a rising star in the mineral sector, having spent the past decade exploring Yukon and advancing projects, in her role as partner at Archer Cathro (AC) and as the vice-president of Exploration for ATAC Resources Ltd. (ATAC),” YukonWIM said in a statement Tuesday.

“Her passion and enthusiasm for her work and life came through at every opportunity, and she was known globally for being an exceptional geologist and leader.”

The award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the inclusion of women in the Yukon’s mining sector, through leadership, education, and innovation; active disruption of myths and misconceptions; and demonstrated leadership through positive change, collegiality and teambuilding.

“Julia’s many accomplishments in a short and brilliant career, had a significant impact on Yukon projects and people,” said Anne Turner, YukonWIM’s president and founder.

“She was an amazing advocate for AC, ATAC, Yukon, as well as women in mining, who she stood out as a role model for, not through any specific intention, but by embodying what it means to be professional, accomplished, passionate and dedicated to your work, engaged with the people you work with, and an advocate for the Industry she was an integral part of.”

At the start of each year, YukonWIM added, the organization would connect with Lane at the annual PDAC Convention, “and her excitement for the potential of the new exploration season was contagious.

“As she shared discoveries from the past year and ideas for a new one, you were drawn into the story with her energy and dynamism,” YukonWIM added.

“She made geology approachable, engaging and relevant to everyone she connected with, so that you too could share in the excitement.”

The celebration and presentation of the award took place Monday as part of the annual Yukon Women in Mining Networking Reception at the Yukon Geoscience Forum in Whitehorse.

“Yukon and Canada’s mineral industry have suffered an immeasurable loss this year, and she will be greatly missed by many,” YukonWIM said.

“YukonWIM is privileged to recognize Julia Lane for her accomplishments and honoured to remember her contributions through the Kate Carmack Women in Mining award.”

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ranj Pillai read out tributes to both Lane and Kitchen in the legislature on Monday.

YukonWIM is a regional, not-for-profit organization focused on creating awareness and attraction to the opportunities for rewarding careers for women in the mineral and mining industry.

It develops initiatives that foster personal and professional development, through awareness, education and networking opportunities.

“Through promotion of the dynamic and rewarding careers for women in the minerals and mining industry, YukonWIM will help to meet the future labour needs in Yukon and ensure the minerals industry is diverse, inclusive and represents a culture that includes all,” the organization said.

Carmack was the daughter of Kaachgaawáa, the head of the Tlingit crow clan, and Gus’dutéen, a member of the Tagish wolf clan.

Carmack – Shaaw Tláa – grew up in a Tagish village near Carcross.

In 1896, while fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Klondike River, Carmack, alongside her husband, George, brother, Skookum Jim Mason, Robert Henderson and Dawson Charlie discovered gold at what is now known as Bonanza Creek.That launched the Klondike Gold Rush.

Many claim that Kate may have been the original discoverer of gold, and that is was registered by her husband and the co-discoverers, as women could not register a claim at that time.

In 2019, Kate was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, alongside the “Klondike Discoverers”, who were inducted in 1999.

The award represents the essential role that women and Yukon First Nations have played in the foundation of Yukon and Canadian mining history.

“Through Kate Carmacks’ induction into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, and the establishment of a Yukonbased award, YukonWIM aims to recognize the untold contributions of all the women who have blazed a trail for those that follow, and continues to build a strong Yukon and Canada, with a foundation rich in resources and inclusion,” YukonWIM said.