DAWSON CITY – The Saturday closest to June 13 (the territory’s birthday) has been the date for the annual Commissioner’s Tea, organized by the IODE, for decades. Of course, it could not be held during the COVID-19 years.

So this year, Saturday, June 11 was a good date to hold Dawson’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne.

People began to gather in the foyer and gift shop room at the Dawson City Museum between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

This being Dawson, the event did not start at the appointed hour, which was just as well, for the larger part of the eventual crowd began to arrive shortly after 5 p.m.

Former museum director Alex Somerville actually welcomed everyone at about 5:25.

He led with the museum’s connection to the Royal Family, which occurred when the Duke of Edinburgh visited the museum when it was in its original location on Front Street in the late 1950s. Impressed with the facility, he subsequently honoured it with his patronage.

Somerville turned the room over to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in elder Clara Van Bibber, who opened the event with a prayer and blessing. She especially thanked all those who had donated artifacts over the many decades.

TH Deputy Chief Simon Nagano offered a welcome on behalf of the First Nation and reflected on the special connection that First Nations people feel to the monarchy.

“She always recognizes the Indigenous or First Nation people, as well as Paddington Bear,” he said, referring to one of the royal broadcasts over the previous weekend. “Enjoy yourself and let’s enjoy this Jubilee.”

Mayor Bill Kendrick brought greetings from the City of Dawson. He recalled having seen the Queen when she visited Windsor, Ont. in 1984.

Commissioner Angélique Bernard gave the main address at 5:30 p.m., which brought the program back on the prepared schedule.

“It is a pleasure to welcome you tonight, in person – whoohoo! – to the traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to celebrate the Platinum Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen, she exulted.

“I would like to wish a welcome to the dignitaries, Dawsonites, Yukoners from across the territory, and visitors. I hope you will enjoy all that this town has to offer.

“Dawson’s a great place to hold a party, and the Dawson City Museum is the perfect location to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, an event that we will never see again in our lifetime,” Bernard added.

“Tonight, we are highlighting 70 years of the Queen’s service to the Commonwealth.

“It is great to see so many people in the audience that exemplify this notion of service to our community with their tireless efforts to better the community.

“I will not name you all, as I wouldn’t want to forget any of you. You know who you are, and we know who you are, and we know where you live – in a good way of course. Thank you for your dedication to your communities, and to the Yukon.

“And to the younger generation here tonight, I would like you to think about how you can make your communities better,” the commissioner said.

People were permitted to tour the museum and could stop to listen to the two groups of young local fiddlers, who were playing small sets in the north gallery.

In the audio-visual room there was a Power Point presentation of slides from a century of Royal and vice-regal tours of the territory.

There was a fine buffet, provided by Bonton & Company and, as the earlier rain had stopped, people were able to sit out on the rear deck to enjoy the freshened air.

That was also the location for a presentation by Michael Gates, the first Story Laureate of Yukon. He spoke, quite appropriately, about several royal and vice-regal tours of the territory, ending with that of Gov. Gen. Lord Byng, just a century ago.

After much consumption of delicious food, the formal events ended with the formal toast to the Queen, held by Somerville and Bernard. on the grand staircase in the foyer.

This was announced as if it would be a major event. In the end, it was just a matter of raising a glass of champagne (or pop) and chanting

“The Queen, La Reine!” – which took about 10 seconds.