Photo by Vince Fedoroff
ARTIST DISCUSSES WORK – Esther Bordet, right, one of the artists whose work appears on the new tourism banners, speaks at the unveiling Monday. On the left is Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie McLean. Bordet’s banner design is the one on the far left.
A new series of banners featuring the artwork of six Yukon women were unveiled Monday in Whitehorse in recognition of Women’s History Month.
A new series of banners featuring the artwork of six Yukon women were unveiled Monday in Whitehorse in recognition of Women’s History Month.
The selected artists are Emma Barr, Esther Bordet, Amber Church, Maegan Garrett, Violet Gatensby and Sharon Vittrekwa.
Their designs explore the themes of Only in the Yukon, Natural Wonders and Transformational Experiences.
The banners are displayed outside the six Yukon visitor information centres, at visitor attractions and along roadways across the territory.
They welcome visitors and showcase the talents of the territory’s established and emerging artists. The banners will be hung across Whitehorse on Friday.
The initiative is part of Women’s History Month, which takes place every October to mark the anniversary of the Persons Case of 1927, when women were recognized as persons under the law.
The Famous 5 – Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby – brought the case to the Supreme Court of Canada, and later to the Privy Council of England before being granted the right to vote in this historic decision.
“The Government of Yukon is proud to recognize the dedication and excellence of the territory’s artists, and is proud to have their work greet our visitors,” said Jeanie McLean, the minister of Tourism and Culture and minister responsible for Women’s Directorate. (She has changed her name from Dendys after marrying during the summer.)
“These new banners reflect the richness of Yukon First Nations culture and history, the territory’s majestic wilderness, and the life-changing adventures that abound in the North,” McLean said.
“Promoting these works of art by Yukon women is a perfect way to mark the commencement of Women’s History Month.”
The Department of Tourism and Culture oversees a bi-annual call for and production of a set of promotional banners by Yukon artists.
A jury compromised of representatives from the Yukon tourism and arts sectors chose the six designs from 20 submissions last spring.
Postcards and stickers with the banner designs and artist info will be available at Yukon Visitor Information Centres throughout the year.
Women’s History Month has been celebrated in Canada since 1992, and marked locally with events, publications and posters created by the government and various community organizations.
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (20)
Up 4 Down 8
Duelin Banjos on Oct 10, 2020 at 9:05 pm
Hello JC - Men’s history month will be celebrated right after Caucasian Appreciation Day... So get some of your buddies together and head on down to 2071 - 2nd Avenue and lobby the government for a holiday to celebrate your Caucasian Pride! If you are successful you could host themed community level events such as: You Might Be a Redneck If... Maybe even some banjo music... Fun for the family... Are y’all ready for this years Honkey Tonk?
Up 18 Down 7
U. Gogerl on Oct 9, 2020 at 5:50 pm
Female privilege is:
You are in control of reproduction rights.
You do not have to go to the frontlines of a war.
You have a seat reserved for you on a lifeboat next to the children.
You experience less violence.
You are favoured in custody battles.
You are seen as non-violent despite the propensity rates are the same.
Your toxic gossip and reputation destruction are often seen as non-violent/non-threatening.
The automatic presumption is you get the seat.
The list is not exhaustive... Try adding your own!
Up 19 Down 2
Just Sayin' on Oct 9, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Society needs to realize that we will never be equal. When we support one sex or praise one sex, indirectly we are putting down the other. It's not right. I do not think we need a Men's History month nor do we need a Women's history month. Let's also realize that Women's history month only promotes those who are identified by society as women and not those who are transitioning to a women. See another group excluded. Let's just make every one equally, by not promoting any gender.
Honestly, the only time I look at the banners is winter, when xmas lights are on some of them.
Up 20 Down 24
T on Oct 8, 2020 at 10:22 am
I agree with Resident, every month ( and year) has been men's history, share the spotlight a little. People complain about minority groups getting the spotlight, because they never bothered to share it and are disgruntled. Excuses such as, it's a "waste of tax payers money" and "where's white male month" are just that, excuses not to change the status quo.
JC, your comments are constantly tiring and speak to your own self importance and low self esteem. I'm sure you will have some " witty" comment on your woe is me, bad leftest blah blah blah. Normally I don't engage and I won't respond because this is about as much effort as I can muster because you are so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. I wish you the best, I hope you can start focusing on positives in things instead of always feeling like the world is out to get you. Go for a walk, have a cup of tea/coffee and stop being such a downer about anything that doesn't conform to your tiny rigid worldview. That view doesn't exist and for good reason. Take care and enjoy your long weekend.
Up 16 Down 22
EJ on Oct 7, 2020 at 9:26 pm
Hey Helen,
Don't mind JC. He is just one of the regular 'Yukon Party' boosters. All he does is attack anything that mentions progressive issues or Liberals in general.
Up 14 Down 19
JC on Oct 7, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Helen, you're right, it's been all about women since the 1960s. Evidently, you don't believe in equality. Helen Redy was one of the main co-founders of the feminist movement. Strange she died the other day of dementia in her early 70s.
Up 23 Down 10
Dan Davidson on Oct 7, 2020 at 4:23 pm
To the protesters: These banners get revamped every few years, so it's not like they're just for a month. The last set are getting a bit tattered. "Their designs explore the themes of Only in the Yukon, Natural Wonders and Transformational Experiences." So what has anybody got against those ideas? The banners may have been designed by women but they're pretty gender neutral in theme.
Up 24 Down 33
Resident on Oct 7, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Every month is Men's History Month. History has literally been written by men. Numerous examples of women being written out of history have been uncovered and will continue to be uncovered. Art is another area where women have been traditionally shut out, forced to paint or write under pseudonyms or under their husband's name.
Up 20 Down 15
John on Oct 7, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Helen McCullough: Yes, and not everything is about women !
JC has a good point if one would take the time to pull their head out of the sand.
Up 25 Down 9
Obi on Oct 7, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Can I have my rib back?
Asking for a friend.
Up 38 Down 15
TMYK on Oct 7, 2020 at 9:09 am
We're only $31.6 Million in debt. Why don't the liberals spend more money on useless things.
Up 17 Down 23
Daver on Oct 7, 2020 at 8:57 am
Great idea, looks good!
Up 28 Down 17
Matthew on Oct 7, 2020 at 5:52 am
Thought we were all supposed to be equal here.. this is sexism by definition. I mean when the UN says they are only here to help women and girls you'd better listen. Poor boys getting left out of the NWO..
Up 34 Down 15
Jack on Oct 6, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Total rip-off History Channel's idea and 'history month' concept. Banners, postcards and stickers are single-use and damage the environment.
Why do we need to spend public money on a Women’s History Month anyway?
Up 31 Down 21
Al on Oct 6, 2020 at 10:26 pm
JC: Don't hold your breath my friend. Men are at the bottom of the heap, and at the very, very bottom of that heap is especially true if you are white...
Up 38 Down 13
Shannon on Oct 6, 2020 at 9:57 pm
Yeah, I cringe to think how much taxpayers were forced to spend on this unessential project...just like so many in the past. Tell you what... if these politically correct idiots REALLY cared and really spent five solid minutes thinking about it logically, they would have taken the thousands spent on this fanciful 'project' and spent it on food and needed supplies for the women on our local streets or in the shelter. That would prove you do actually value women and it is not just some social-political stunt. These people are do-gooders who do (no) real good and waste others' money that could be used wisely on women.
Man, I hate useless government pushing agendas with the money of others. That is about ALL they do it seems.
Up 24 Down 17
Bingo on Oct 6, 2020 at 9:49 pm
My goodness what is this anyways? What’s next, K9s history month!
Up 28 Down 6
Fred Norris on Oct 6, 2020 at 8:40 pm
Tourism?
What tourism?
Up 27 Down 33
Helen McCullough on Oct 6, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Really, JC, you can't just congratulate these women and move on? -- Not everything is about you, or men!
Up 46 Down 23
JC on Oct 6, 2020 at 4:31 pm
When is Men's History Month? Anybody know? I would like to celebrate it.