There’s going to be some precious metal found in the Yukon later this year. Just not the kind you might be thinking.

The Yukon government is preparing to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the territory by handing out 250 medals to accomplished Yukoners.

The news came from a plainly-pleased Premier Ranj Pillai during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re trying to tell our story to the rest of Canada,” he said.

The medals are featuring original artwork by Violet Gatensby of the Carcross-Tagish First Nation.

Pillai said the medals will be awarded to Yukoners who embody values of leadership and reconciliation.

This will include people from all walks of life and a variety of sectors, including public service, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, arts and environmental stewardship. 

“Of the total 250 medals, 125 medals will be given to Yukon First Nations leadership to distribute at their discretion,” the government said in a statement.

“A further 125 medals will be distributed based on input from cabinet, the leaders of the official Opposition and third party, the Commissioner and members of the public.”

No posthumous nominations will be accepted, Pillai said. All of the nominations must be for the still-living who have made exceptional contributions to the territory.

The medals will be distributed based on guidance from an advisory committee, composed of Victoria Fred, deputy ministers Justin Ferbey and Sierra van der Meer, and the Star’s Jim Butler.

Pillai said he thought this is a unique way to celebrate the anniversary, though he wasn’t familiar with how similar occasions, such as the territory’s 100th anniversary in 1998, had been marked.

The public can download a nomination form at https://yukon.ca/125 and submit it to yukon125@yukon.ca by March 11to nominate a deserving Yukoner.

Recipients will be announced later this year.

“The Yukon’s 125th anniversary is a significant milestone in our shared history, and it is important to celebrate the people who helped make the Yukon the special place it is today,” Pillai said.

“The medal will pay tribute to individuals who embody leadership and reconciliation and have left a lasting impact on the territory. I look forward to celebrating Yukoners of today as we look forward to our next 125 years.”

Gatensby said she is “proud to have contributed artwork for this medal celebrating the Yukon’s 125th anniversary.

“My design, Resilient Hearts/Insightful Vision, is intended to honour the Yukoners who have brought insight in approaching the future and have rolled up their sleeves to put the hard work in, helping people heal while remembering who we are.”

Gatensby also spoke eloquently of incorporating balsam branches into her design.

She said the branches represent an Indigenous “olive branch” symbol, one that she learned as a child.

“It’s very powerful,” she said. “We can heal together.”

Gatensby presented the medal design to Yukon First Nations leadership during the Yukon Forum held Sept. 26-27, 2023 in Dawson City.

The Yukon’s anniversary is being commemorated from June 13, 2023 – 125 years from when the territory joined Confederation – to June 13, rather than the calendar year of 2023.

“It is important that we pause and recognize the remarkable Yukoners who are building a brighter and more resilient future,” said Tourism and Culture Minister John Streicker.

“As a part of this celebration, we are very excited to highlight the work of talented Yukon artist Violet Gatensby.

“The design of the Yukon’s 125th anniversary medal reflects the heart of this honour, and we look forward to awarding these medals to recipients.”