The Yukon’s star ski siblings capped an outstanding season by receiving one of their home club’s top honours Tuesday morning.

Signs bearing the names of Graham Nishikawa and Emily Nishikawa were unveiled on the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club’s Olympic Trail, to applause by a gathering of the local ski community.

Emily Nishikawa became the first Yukon winter Olympian in more than 20 years last season, while Graham Nishikawa served as a Paralympic guide for blind skier Brian McKeever, leading him to three gold medals.

The two siblings were back in their hometown to pull the tarp off their new trail signs last week.

“This is incredible and so special,” Emily Nishikawa, 25, told the assembled group of supporters. “I’ve skied on the Olympic Trail since I was a little kid and I always looked at the signs. It’s pretty cool to see my name up there now, and I hope to see many more of your names up here soon.

“Thanks for being such an incredibly supportive community,” she added. “We wouldn’t be here without you guys.”

“This is very special,” continued Graham Nishikawa, 31. “Both of us had an amazing time in Sochi. I remember racing up here as a kid, looking at Alain (Masson’s) sign and Lucy (Steele-Masson’s) sign, so this is really, really special.”

Olympic Trail’s origin came in the mid-’90s following the performances of Yukon cross-country skiers Lucy Steele-Masson and Jane Vincent at the 1992 Olympic Games.

The easy two-kilometre trail begins at Sumanik Drive bridge.

Other athletes who have been honoured with trail signs include: Zach Bell, Jim Boyde, Stephanie Dixon, Daniel Hall, Katherine Hall, Jane Isaakson, Christine Larsen, Jeane Lassen, Alain Masson, Owen Munroe and Harvey Reti.

The two skiers were introduced by their longtime coach, Masson, who praised them for their hard work, positive attitude and determination.

“They have exemplified the type of values that this ski community has seen in most of its skiers,” Masson told the crowd on hand.

“They are amazing individuals ... It’s not a surprise that they have been able to reach the level of performance they have, making it all the way to the top. I’m sure we’ll see many more (trail signs) in the future because we have lots of similar individuals as part of this community.”

Masson also pointed thanks to the skiers’ parents and the ski community present for the ceremony.

“This level of achievement never happens on its own,” he said. “It requires a community for support.”

The duo weren’t the only Nishikawas honoured last week.

The ski club also presented their parents, Bob Nishikawa and Joan Stanton, with the Father Mouchet award – named in honour of the late Oblate priest regarded as the father of cross-country skiing in the Yukon.

The award recognizes dedication, leadership and commitment to cross-country skiing, explained ski club official Claude Chabot.

“Both Joan and Bob have shown all of the qualities recognized by this award,” Chabot said of the couple, who has been an integral part of the local facility for more than 25 years.

Bob Nishikawa, who referred to the Whitehorse club as the “best in the country,” is a high-level timing official, preparing many others in the leadup to the 2007 Canada Winter Games and 2010 Haywood Ski Nationals – both in Whitehorse.

Not to be outdone, Stanton served on the organizing committees of both events, and remains a dedicated volunteer in the community, said Chabot.

“Our ski club and our community have been enriched by your presence,” Chabot told the couple.

Stanton said it was an honour to carry on Mouchet’s legacy by receiving the award in his name.

Yukon Commissioner Doug Phillips was also in attendance to honour Nick Stratis and Linda Stratis with Commissioner’s Awards for Public Volunteer Service.

“The selfless work of Linda and Nick Stratis epitomizes dedicated volunteerism,” Phillips said. “Sports programs and communities across the territory have grown thanks to their decades of generous personal contribution.

“It’s been people like Nick and Linda who have really made this a great place to live,” the commissioner added. “They are the ones who really make it all happen. Thank you for that commitment.”

Nick Stratis is one of the longest serving ski coaches in the territory, while his wife, Linda Stratis, has worked as a timing official for more than 20 years.

“It’s been our pleasure and our honour to be involved with such a great community,” Nick Stratis said during the ceremony held in the ski club’s wax room. “Very positive for us. Hopefully it’s been very positive for you. Thank you very much. This is a terrific honour for us both.”

Meanwhile, Linda Stratis was recognized with words from Cross Country Yukon president Jan Horton, who said Linda Stratis’s “personal touch” helped get many volunteers involved.

“She brings a spirit that just doesn’t stop,” Horton said of her friend, who has also spent time as mission staff and a board member supporting local cross-country skiing, and is well-known for her cookies.

“The standard line about Linda is: ‘If it’s moved in the Yukon, she’s timed it,’” Horton added with a chuckle.

Each of the awards was met with a rousing ovation by members of the Yukon Ski Team.