Yukon - Wikipedia Yukon This article is about the Canadian territory. For other uses, see Yukon ( disambiguation ). Yukon Flag Coat of arms Motto ( s ) : ( No official motto ) BC AB SK MB ON QC NB PE NS NL YT NT NU Confederation June 13, 1898 ( 9th ) Capital Whitehorse Largest city Whitehorse Largest metro Whitehorse Government Commissioner Doug Phillips Premier Sandy Silver ( Liberal ) Legislature Yukon Legislative Assembly Federal representation ( in Canadian Parliament ) House seats 1 of 338 ( 0.3 % ) Senate seats 1 of 105 ( 1 % ) Area Total 482,443 km ( 186,272 sq mi ) Land 474,391 km ( 183,163 sq mi ) Water 8,052 km ( 3,109 sq mi ) 1.7 % Area rank Ranked 9th 4.8 % of Canada Population ( 2016 ) Total 35,874 Estimate ( 2017 Q3 ) 38,459 Rank Ranked 13th Density 0.08 / km ( 0.2 / sq mi ) Demonym ( s ) Yukoner FR : Yukonnais ( e ) Official languages English, French GDP Rank 12th Total ( 2011 ) C $2.660 billion Per capita C $75,141 ( 3rd ) Time zone UTC - 8 Postal abbr. YT Postal code prefix Y ISO 3166 code CA - YT Flower Fireweed Tree Subalpine fir Bird Common raven Website www.gov.yk.ca Rankings include all provinces and territories Downtown Whitehorse along the Yukon River Yukon ( / ˈjuːkɒn / ; French : ( jykɔ̃ ) ; also commonly called the Yukon ) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada 's three federal territories ( the other two are the Northwest Territories and Nunavut ). The territory has the smallest population of any province or territory in Canada, with 35,874 people. Whitehorse is the territorial capital and Yukon 's only city. The territory was split from the Northwest Territories in 1898 and was named the Yukon Territory. The federal government 's Yukon Act, which received royal assent on March 27, 2002, established Yukon as the territory 's official name, though Yukon Territory is also still popular in usage and Canada Post continues to use the territory 's internationally approved postal abbreviation of YT. Though officially bilingual ( English and French ), the Yukon Government also recognizes First Nations languages. At 5,959 m ( 19,551 ft ), Yukon 's Mount Logan, in Kluane National Park and Reserve, is the highest mountain in Canada and the second - highest on the North American continent ( after Denali in the U.S. state of Alaska ). Most of Yukon has a subarctic climate, characterized by long cold winters and brief warm summers. The Arctic Ocean coast has a tundra climate. Notable rivers include the Yukon River, after which the territory was named, as well as the Pelly, Stewart, Peel, White and Tatshenshini rivers. Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Geography 3.1 Climate 4 Demographics 4.1 Municipalities by population 4.2 Ethnicity 4.3 Language 4.4 Religion 5 Economy 5.1 Tourism 6 Arts and culture 6.1 Events and festivals 7 Government 7.1 Federal representation 7.2 First Nations 8 Infrastructure 9 See also 10 References 11 Further reading 12 External links Etymology The territory is named after the Yukon River, the longest river in Yukon. The name itself is from a contraction of the words in the Gwich'in phrase chųų gąįį han, which means white water river and refers to `` the pale colour '' of glacial runoff in the Yukon River. History Main article : History of Yukon Long before the arrival of Europeans, central and southern Yukon was populated by First Nations people, and the area escaped glaciation. Sites of archeological significance in Yukon hold some of the earliest evidence of the presence of human occupation in North America. The sites safeguard the history of the first people and the earliest First Nations of the Yukon. The volcanic eruption of Mount Churchill in approximately 800 AD in what is now the U.S. state of Alaska blanketed southern Yukon with a layer of ash which can still be seen along the Klondike Highway, and which forms part of the oral tradition of First Nations peoples in Yukon and further south in Canada. Coastal and inland First Nations had extensive trading networks. European incursions into the area only began early in the 19th century with the fur trade, followed by missionaries. By the 1870s and 1880s gold miners began to arrive. This drove a population increase that justified the establishment of a police force, just in time for the start of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. The increased population coming with the gold rush led to the separation of the Yukon district from the Northwest Territories and the formation of the separate Yukon Territory in 1898. Geography Map of Yukon Main article : Geography of Yukon The territory is the approximate shape of a right triangle, bordering the U.S. state of Alaska to the west and northwest for 1,210 km ( 752 mi ) mostly along longitude 141 ° W, the Northwest Territories to the east and British Columbia to the south. Its northern coast is on the Beaufort Sea. Its ragged eastern boundary mostly follows the divide between the Yukon Basin and the Mackenzie River drainage basin to the east in the Mackenzie mountains. Most of the territory is in the watershed of its namesake, the Yukon River. The southern Yukon is dotted with a large number of large, long and narrow glacier - fed alpine lakes, most of which flow into the Yukon River system. The larger lakes include Teslin Lake, Atlin Lake, Tagish Lake, Marsh Lake, Lake Laberge, Kusawa Lake and Kluane Lake. Bennett Lake on the Klondike Gold Rush trail is a lake flowing into Nares Lake, with the greater part of its area within Yukon. Canada 's highest point, Mount Logan ( 5,959 m or 19,551 ft ), is in the territory 's southwest. Mount Logan and a large part of the Yukon 's southwest are in Kluane National Park and Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other national parks include Ivvavik National Park and Vuntut National Park in the north. Mount Logan from the southeast Other watersheds include the Mackenzie River, the Peel Watershed and the Alsek -- Tatshenshini, and a number of rivers flowing directly into the Beaufort Sea. The two main Yukon rivers flowing into the Mackenzie in the Northwest Territories are the Liard River in the southeast and the Peel River and its tributaries in the northeast. Notable widespread tree species within Yukon are the black spruce and white spruce. Many trees are stunted because of the short growing season and severe climate. The capital, Whitehorse, is also the largest city, with about three - quarters of the population ; the second largest is Dawson City ( pop. 2,016 ), which was the capital until 1952. Climate See also : Climate change in the Arctic Köppen climate types in Yukon While the average winter temperature in the Yukon is mild by Canadian arctic standards, no other place in North America gets as cold as the Yukon during extreme cold snaps. The temperature has dropped down to − 60 ° C ( − 76 ° F ) three times, 1947, 1954, and 1968. The most extreme cold snap occurred in February 1947 when the abandoned town of Snag dropped down to − 63.0 ° C ( − 81.4 ° F ). Unlike most of Canada where the most extreme heat waves occur in July, August, and even September, The Yukon 's extreme heat tends to occur in June and even May. The Yukon has recorded 36 ° C ( 97 ° F ) three times. The first time was in June 1969 when Mayo recorded a temperature of 36.1 ° C ( 97 ° F ). 14 years later this record was almost beaten when Forty Mile recorded 36 ° C ( 97 ° F ) in May 1983. The old record was finally broken 21 years later in June 2004 when the Mayo Road weather station, located just northwest of Whitehorse, recorded a temperature of 36.5 ° C ( 97.7 ° F ). Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected locations in Yukon City July ( ° C ) July ( ° F ) January ( ° C ) January ( ° F ) Whitehorse 21 / 8 70 / 46 − 11 / − 19 12 / − 2 Dawson City 23 / 8 73 / 46 − 22 / − 30 − 8 / − 22 Old Crow 20 / 9 68 / 48 − 25 / − 34 − 13 / − 29 Demographics Distribution of Yukon 's eight municipalities by type Main article : Demographics of Yukon The population of Yukon in the 2016 census is 35,874, an increase of 5.8 % from 2011. With a land area of 474,712.64 km ( 183,287.57 sq mi ), it had a population density of 0.1 / km ( 0.2 / sq mi ) in 2011. Municipalities by population Main article : List of municipalities in Yukon Name Status Official name Incorporation date 2016 Census of Population Population ( 2016 ) Population ( 2011 ) Change Land area ( km2 ) Population density Carmacks Town Village of Carmacks 000000001984 - 11 - 01 - 0000 November 1, 1984 493 503 2999801192842942350 ♠ − 2.0 % 7001369500000000000 ♠ 36.95 13.3 / km Dawson Town City of Dawson 000000001902 - 01 - 09 - 0000 January 9, 1902 1,375 1,319 7000424564063684610 ♠ + 4.2 % 7001324500000000000 ♠ 32.45 42.4 / km Faro Town Town of Faro 000000001969 - 06 - 13 - 0000 June 13, 1969 348 344 7000116279069767440 ♠ + 1.2 % 7002203570000000000 ♠ 203.57 1.7 / km Haines Junction Town Village of Haines Junction 000000001984 - 10 - 01 - 0000 October 1, 1984 613 593 7000337268128161890 ♠ + 3.4 % 7001344900000000000 ♠ 34.49 17.8 / km Mayo Town Village of Mayo 000000001984 - 06 - 01 - 0000 June 1, 1984 200 226 2998884955752212390 ♠ − 11.5 % 7000106000000000000 ♠ 1.06 188.7 / km Teslin Town Village of Teslin 000000001984 - 08 - 01 - 0000 August 1, 1984 124 122 7000163934426229510 ♠ + 1.6 % 7000192000000000000 ♠ 1.92 64.6 / km Watson Lake Town Town of Watson Lake 000000001984 - 04 - 01 - 0000 April 1, 1984 790 802 2999850374064837910 ♠ − 1.5 % 7000611000000000000 ♠ 6.11 129.3 / km Whitehorse City City of Whitehorse 000000001950 - 06 - 01 - 0000 June 1, 1950 25,085 23,276 7000777195394397660 ♠ + 7.8 % 7002416540000000000 ♠ 416.54 60.2 / km Total municipalities -- -- -- 29,028 27,185 7000677947397461840 ♠ + 6.8 % 7002733090000000000 ♠ 733.09 39.6 / km Territory of Yukon -- -- -- 35,874 33,897 7000583237454642000 ♠ + 5.8 % 7005474712680000000 ♠ 474,712.68 0.08 / km Ethnicity This article 's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out - of - date information. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( April 2017 ) According to the 2006 Canada Census the majority of the territory 's population was of European descent, although it has a significant population of First Nations communities across the territory. The top ten ancestries were : Ranking Ethnic group Population 1. English 8,795 2. North American First Nations 7,070 3. Scottish 7,005 4. Canadian 6,075 5. Irish 5,735 6. German 4,835 7. French 4,330 8. Ukrainian 1,620 9. Dutch ( Netherlands ) 1,475 10. Norwegian 1,340 The 2011 National Household Survey examined Yukon 's ethnocultural diversity and immigration. At that time, 87.7 % of residents were Canadian - born and 24.2 % were of Aboriginal origin. The most common countries of birth for immigrants were the United Kingdom ( 15.9 % ), the Philippines ( 15.0 % ), and the United States ( 13.2 % ). Among very recent immigrants ( between 2006 and 2011 ) living in Yukon, 63.5 % were born in Asia. Language First Nations linguistic groups by tribes / clans Linguistic group Tribe / clan Gwich'in Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Old Crow Hän Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation, Dawson City Upper Tanana White River First Nation, Beaver Creek Small communities near Tok ( Alaska ) Northern Tutchone Selkirk First Nation Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, Mayo Southern Tutchone Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Haines Junction Kluane First Nation, Burwash Landing Ta'an Kwach'an Council, Lake Laberge Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Whitehorse Kaska Ross River Dena Council, Ross River Liard River First Nation, Watson Lake Inland Tlingit Teslin Tlingit Council Tagish Carcross / Tagish First Nation Mother tongue, 2011 census Rank Language Population Percent 1. English 28,065 82.9 % 2. French 1,455 4.3 % 3. German 805 2.4 % 4. Tagalog 425 1.3 % 5. Kaska 265 0.8 % 6. Northern Tutchone 200 0.6 % 7. Spanish 180 0.5 % 8. Southern Tutchone 140 0.4 % 8. Dutch 130 0.4 % 10. Chinese 130 0.4 % The most commonly reported mother tongue among the 33,145 single responses to the 2011 Canadian census was English at 28,065 ( 7001850000000000000 ♠ 85 % ). The second-most common was 1,455 ( 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 % ) for French. Among 510 multiple respondents, 140 of them ( 7001270000000000000 ♠ 27 % ) reported a mother tongue of both English and French, while 335 ( 7001660000000000000 ♠ 66 % ) reported English and a ' non-official language ' and 20 ( 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 % ) reported French and a ' non-official language '. The Yukon Language Act `` recognises the significance '' of aboriginal languages in Yukon ; however, only English and French are available for laws, court proceedings, and legislative assembly proceedings. Religion This article 's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out - of - date information. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( May 2012 ) The 2011 National Household Survey reported that 49.9 % of Yukoners reported having no religious affiliation, the highest percentage in Canada. The most frequently reported religious affiliation was Christianity, reported by 46.2 % of residents. Of these, the most common denominations were the Catholic Church ( 39.6 % ), the Anglican Church of Canada ( 17.8 % ) and the United Church of Canada ( 9.6 % ). Economy Yukon 's historical major industry was mining ( lead, zinc, silver, gold, asbestos and copper ). The government acquired the land from the Hudson 's Bay Company in 1870 and split it from the Northwest Territories in 1898 to fill the need for local government created by the population influx of the gold rush. Thousands of these prospectors flooded the territory, creating a colourful period recorded by authors such as Robert W. Service and Jack London. The memory of this period and the early days of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as the territory 's scenic wonders and outdoor recreation opportunities, makes tourism the second most important industry. Manufacturing, including furniture, clothing, and handicrafts, follows in importance, along with hydroelectricity. The traditional industries of trapping and fishing have declined. Today, the government sector is by far the biggest employer in the territory, directly employing approximately 5,000 out of a labour force of 12,500, on a population of 36,500. On 1 May 2015, Yukon modified its Business Corporations Act, in an effort to attract more benefits and participants to its economy. One amendment to the BCA lets a proxy be given for voting purposes. Another change will allow directors to pursue business opportunities declined by the corporation, a practice off - limits in most other jurisdictions due to the inherent potential for conflicts of interest. One of the changes will allow a corporation to serve as a director of a subsidiary registered in Yukon. The legislation also allows companies to add provisions in their articles of incorporation giving directors blanket approval to sell of all of the company 's assets without requiring a shareholder vote. If provided for by a unanimous shareholders agreement, a corporation is not required to have directors at all. There is increased flexibility regarding the location of corporate records offices, including the ability to maintain a records office outside of the Yukon so long as it is accessible by electronic means. Tourism Yukon welcome sign Yukon 's tourism motto is `` Larger than life ''. Yukon 's major appeal is its nearly pristine nature. Tourism relies heavily on this, and there are many organized outfitters and guides available to hunters and anglers and nature lovers of all sorts. Sports enthusiasts can paddle lakes and rivers with canoes and kayaks, ride or walk trails, ski or snowboard in an organized setting or access the backcountry by air or snowmobile, climb the highest peaks in Canada or take a family hike up smaller mountains, or try ice climbing and dog sledding. There are also various festivals and sporting events such as the Yukon International Storytelling Festival and Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous. There are many opportunities to experience pre-colonial lifestyles by learning about Yukon 's First Nations. Wildlife and nature observation is exceptional and a wide variety of large mammals, birds, and fish are easily accessible, whether or not within Yukon 's many territorial parks ( Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Tombstone Territorial Park, Fishing Branch Ni'iinlii'njik Park, Coal River Springs Territorial Park ) and national parks ( Kluane National Park and Reserve, Vuntut National Park, Ivvavik National Park ) and reserves, or nearby Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park in British Columbia. The latitude enables the view of aurora borealis in Yukon. Arts and culture See also : Music of Yukon Although English is the main language used in the territory, as evidenced by the census, the Government of Yukon recognizes several aboriginal languages as part of the cultural heritage of the territory : the Tlingit, and the less common Tahltan, as well as seven Athapaskan languages, Upper Tanana, Gwitchin, Hän, Northern Tutchone, Southern Tutchone, Kaska and Tagish, some of which are rare. As noted above, the `` aboriginal identity population '' makes up a substantial minority, accounting for about 25 percent. Notwithstanding, the aboriginal culture is strongly reflected in such areas as winter sports, as in the Yukon Quest sled dog race. The modern comic - book character Yukon Jack depicts a heroic aboriginal persona. By far the strongest cultural and tourism aspect of Yukon, however, is the legacy of the Klondike Gold Rush ( 1897 -- 1899 ), which inspired such contemporary writers at the time as Robert W. Service, Jack London and Jules Verne and which continues to inspire films and games from Mae West 's Klondike Annie to The Yukon Trail ( see Cultural legacy of the Klondike Gold Rush ). Notable residents have included Leslie Nielsen, Erik Nielsen and Pierre Berton. Events and festivals See also : Category : Festivals in Yukon Yukon also has a wide array of cultural and sporting events and infrastructures that attract artists, participants and tourists from all parts of the world ; Yukon International Storytelling Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, Yukon Quest, Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, the Adäka Cultural Festival, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Northern Lights Centre, Klondike Gold Rush memorials and activities, Takhini Hot Springs, and the Whitehorse fish ladder. Government Chief Isaac of the Hän, Yukon Territory, 1898 In the 19th century, Yukon was a segment of North - Western Territory that was administered by the Hudson 's Bay Company, and then of the Northwest Territories administered by the federal Canadian government. It only obtained a recognizable local government in 1895 when it became a separate district of the Northwest Territories. In 1898, it was made a separate territory with its own commissioner and an appointed Territorial Council. Prior to 1979, the territory was administered by the commissioner who was appointed by the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The commissioner had a role in appointing the territory 's Executive Council, served as chair, and had a day - to - day role in governing the territory. The elected Territorial Council had a purely advisory role. In 1979, a significant degree of power was devolved from the commissioner and the federal government to the territorial legislature which, in that year, adopted a party system of responsible government. This change was accomplished through a letter from Jake Epp, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, rather than through formal legislation. In preparation for responsible government, political parties were organized and ran candidates to the Yukon Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1978. The Progressive Conservatives won these elections and formed the first party government of Yukon in January 1979. The Yukon New Democratic Party ( NDP ) formed the government from 1985 to 1992 under Tony Penikett and again from 1996 under Piers McDonald until being defeated in 2000. The conservatives returned to power in 1992 under John Ostashek after having renamed themselves the Yukon Party. The Liberal government of Pat Duncan was defeated in elections in November 2002, with Dennis Fentie of the Yukon Party forming the government as Premier. The Yukon Act, passed on April 1, 2003, formalized the powers of the Yukon government and devolved additional powers to the territorial government ( e.g., control over land and natural resources ). As of 2003, other than criminal prosecutions, the Yukon government has much of the same powers as provincial governments, and the other two territories are looking to obtaining the same powers. Today the role of commissioner is analogous to that of a provincial lieutenant governor ; however, unlike lieutenant - governors, commissioners are not formal representatives of the Queen but are employees of the federal government. Although there has been discussion in the past about Yukon becoming Canada 's 11th province, it is generally felt that its population base is too sparse for this to occur at present. At the federal level, the territory is represented in the Parliament of Canada by a single Member of Parliament and one senator. Members of Parliament from Canadian territories are full and equal voting representatives and residents of the territory enjoy the same rights as other Canadian citizens. One Yukon Member of Parliament, Erik Nielsen, was the Deputy Prime Minister under the government of Brian Mulroney, while another, Audrey McLaughlin, was the leader of the federal New Democratic Party from 1989 to 1995. Federal representation Main article : Yukon ( electoral district ) The entire territory is one riding ( electoral district ) in the Canadian House of Commons, also called Yukon. The current holder of the seat is Liberal Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell following his victory in the 2015 federal election. Yukon is allocated one seat in the Senate of Canada and has been represented by three Senators since the position was created in 1975. The Senate position is held by Conservative senator Daniel Lang, who was appointed by then - Prime Minister Stephen Harper on December 22, 2008. It was previously filled by Ione Christensen, of the Liberal Party. Appointed to the Senate in 1999 by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Christensen resigned in December 2006 to help her ailing husband. From 1975 to 1999, Paul Lucier ( Liberal ) served as Senator for Yukon. Lucier was appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. First Nations Much of the population of the territory is First Nations. An umbrella land claim agreement representing 7,000 members of 14 different First Nations was signed with the federal government in 1993. Eleven of the 14 Yukon First Nations have negotiated and signed comprehensive land claim and self - government agreements. The 14 First Nations speak eight different languages. The territory once had an Inuit settlement, located on Herschel Island off the Arctic coast. This settlement was dismantled in 1987 and its inhabitants relocated to the neighbouring Northwest Territories. As a result of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the island is now a territorial park and is known officially as Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Qikiqtaruk being the name of the island in Inuvialuktun. Government Seat Chief Carcross / Tagish First Nation Carcross Khà Shâde Héni Andy Carvill Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Haines Junction Steve Smith First Nation of Na - cho Nyak Dun Mayo Simon Mervyn Kluane First Nation Burwash Landing Mathieya Alatini Kwanlin Dün First Nation Whitehorse Doris Bill Liard River First Nation Watson Lake Daniel Morris Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation Carmacks Eric Fairclough Ross River Dena Council Ross River Jack Caesar Selkirk First Nation Pelly Crossing Kevin McGinty Ta'an Kwach'an Council Whitehorse Kristina Kane Teslin Tlingit Council Teslin Richard Sidney Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Dawson City Roberta Joseph Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Old Crow Bruce Charlie White River First Nation Beaver Creek Angela Demit Infrastructure Road sign on Dempster Highway, Eagle Plains Before modern forms of transportation, the rivers and mountain passes were the main transportation routes for the coastal Tlingit people trading with the Athabascans of which the Chilkoot Pass and Dalton Trail, as well as the first Europeans. From the Gold Rush until the 1950s, riverboats plied the Yukon River, mostly between Whitehorse and Dawson City, with some making their way further to Alaska and over to the Bering Sea, and other tributaries of the Yukon River such as the Stewart River. Most of the riverboats were owned by the British - Yukon Navigation Company, an arm of the White Pass and Yukon Route, which also operated a narrow gauge railway between Skagway, Alaska, and Whitehorse. The railway ceased operation in the 1980s with the first closure of the Faro mine. It is now run during the summer months for the tourism season, with operations as far as Carcross. Today, major land routes include the Alaska Highway, the Klondike Highway ( between Skagway and Dawson City ), the Haines Highway ( between Haines, Alaska, and Haines Junction ), and the Dempster Highway ( linking Inuvik, Northwest Territories to the Klondike Highway ), all paved except for the Dempster. Other highways with less traffic include the `` Robert Campbell Highway '' linking Carmacks ( on the Klondike Highway ) to Watson Lake ( Alaska Highway ) via Faro and Ross River, and the `` Silver Trail '' linking the old silver mining communities of Mayo, Elsa and Keno City to the Klondike Highway at the Stewart River bridge. Air travel is the only way to reach the far north community of Old Crow. Whitehorse International Airport serves as the air transport infrastructure hub, with scheduled direct flights to Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Ottawa, Dawson City, Old Crow and Frankfurt. Whitehorse International Airport is also the headquarters and primary hub for Air North, Yukon 's Airline. Every Yukon community is served by an airport or community aerodrome. The communities of Dawson City and Old Crow have regular scheduled service through Air North. Air charter businesses exist primarily to serve the tourism and mining exploration industries. See also Yukon portal Canada portal Arctic portal Main article : Outline of Yukon Canada Outline of Canada Index of Canada - related articles Bibliography of Canada Canada -- Wikipedia book History of the west coast of North America Bluefish Caves, archeological site Peel Watershed Yukon College Yukon Energy Corporation Yukon Field Force Yukon Members of Parliament Yukon Quest References Jump up ^ Mardy Derby ( January 31, 2016 ). `` Whitehorse Legion looking for a Yukon motto ''. CBC News. Retrieved February 9, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 and 2011 censuses ''. Statistics Canada. February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Population by year of Canada of Canada and territories ''. Statistics Canada. September 26, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Gross domestic product, expenditure - based, by province and territory ( 2011 ) ''. Statistics Canada. November 19, 2013. 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Jump up ^ `` Dear Sir, I have great pleasure in informing you that I have at length after much trouble and difficulties, succeed ( ed ) in reaching the ' Youcon ', or white water River, so named by the ( Gwich'in ) natives from the pale colour of its water...., I have the honour to Remain Your obt Servt, John Bell '' Hudson 's Bay Company Correspondence to George Simpson from John Bell ( August 1, 1845 ), HBC Archives, D. 5 / 14, fos. 212 - 215d, also quoted in, Coates, Kenneth S. & William R. Morrison ( 1988 ). Land of the Midnight Sun : A History of the Yukon. Hurtig Publishers. p. 21. ISBN 0 - 88830 - 331 - 9. Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 16. Jump up ^ In Gwich'in, adjectives, such as choo ( big ) and gąįį ( white ), follow the nouns that they modify. Thus, white water is chųų gąįį ( water white ). White water river is chųų gąįį han ( water white river ). Peter, Katherine ( 1979 ). Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik Nagwan Tr'iłtsąįį : Gwich'in Junior Dictionary ( PDF ). 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'' accessed 2009.10. 22. Jump up ^ `` Life At Minus 80 : The Men Of Snag ''. The Weather Doctor. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 19. ^ Jump up to : `` National Climate Data and Information Archive ''. Environment Canada. Retrieved 2014 - 12 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions ( municipalities ), 2011 and 2006 censuses ( Yukon ) ''. Statistics Canada. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Yukon Communities ''. Yukon Government : Department of Community Services. November 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Association of Yukon Communities Incorporation Dates ''. Association of Yukon Communities. Archived from the original on June 15, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014. 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Retrieved February 22, 2011. ^ Jump up to : cbc.ca : `` Go north, not west : Yukon lures businesses with new company rules '', 1 May 2015 Jump up ^ gov.yk.ca : `` BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT '' Archived October 16, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., 1 May 2015 Jump up ^ gov.yk.ca : `` O.I.C. 2015 / 06 BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT '' Archived October 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., 1 May 2015 Jump up ^ gov.yk.ca : `` O.I.C. 2015 / 07 SOCIETIES ACT '' Archived October 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., 1 May 2015 ^ Jump up to : theglobeandmail.com : `` Yukon 's move to draw corporations worries shareholders coalition '', 18 Jun 2015 ^ Jump up to : deallawwire.com : `` Changes of note to the Yukon Business Corporations Act '', 2 Jun 2015 Jump up ^ Travel Yukon Archived October 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Yukon First Nation Tourist Association ''. Yfnta.org. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Territorial Parks ''. Environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park ''. Environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Tombstone Territorial Park ''. Environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Fishing Branch Ni'iinlii'njik Park ''. Environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Coal River Springs Territorial Park ''. Environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Yukon Territory History and Culture, Pinnacle Travel Jump up ^ `` Dawson Music Festival ''. Dcmf.com. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre ''. Beringia.com. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Northern Lights Centre ''. Northernlightscentre.ca. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Whitehorse fish ladder ''. Yukonenergy.ca. February 1, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Coates and Morrison, p. 74 Jump up ^ Coates and Morrison, p. 103 Jump up ^ `` Senators - Detailed Information ''. Parliament of Canada. Retrieved December 23, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Former Yukon MLA named to Senate seat ''. Cbc.ca. December 22, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Executive Council ''. Ctfn.ca. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Dän nätthe dä̀tthʼi ( Chief and Council ) ''. Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Governance and Administration ''. First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun. 2016 - 10 - 20. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Chief and Council ''. Kluane First Nation. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Doris Bill elected Kwanlin Dun chief ''. CBC News. 2014 - 03 - 20. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Liard First Nation ''. Kaska Dena Council. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Chief & Council ''. Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Ross River Dena Council elects Jack Caesar as chief ''. CBC News. 2015 - 12 - 12. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ Selkirk First Nation. `` The Council ''. Selkirk First Nation. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Chief and Council ''. Government of the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Richard Sidney elected chief of Teslin Tlingit Council ''. CBC News. 2016 - 07 - 15. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Roberta Joseph new chief of Dawson 's Tr'ondek Hwech'in ''. CBC News. 2014 - 10 - 10. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Bruce Charlie elected new chief of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation ''. CBC News. 2016 - 05 - 03. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Chief & Council ''. White River First Nation. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Timetable, Summer 2017 '' ( PDF ). Condor Airlines. 2017 - 08 - 06. Retrieved 2017 - 08 - 06. Further reading Coates, Kenneth ( 1985 ), Canada 's colonies : a history of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Lorimer, ISBN 0 - 88862 - 931 - 1 Coates, Ken S. & Morrison, William R. ( 1988 ), Land of the Midnight Sun : A History of the Yukon, Edmonton : Hurtig Publishers, ISBN 0 - 88830 - 331 - 9 Cody, William J ( 2000 ), Flora of the Yukon Territory, National Research Press, ISBN 0 - 660 - 18110 - X Hart, Ann ( 2000 ), Alaska and the Yukon, JPM Publications, ISBN 2 - 88452 - 051 - 1 Laguna, Frederica De ( 2000 ), Travels among the Dena : exploring Alaska 's Yukon Valley, Univ. of Washington Press, ISBN 0 - 295 - 97902 - X O'Reilly, Shauna ; Brennan O'Reilly ( 2009 ), Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, Arcadia Pub, ISBN 978 - 0 - 7385 - 7132 - 4 Webb, Melody ( 1993 ), Yukon : The Last Frontier, University of British Columbia Press, ISBN 0 - 7748 - 0441 - 6 External links Find more aboutYukonat Wikipedia 's sister projects Definitions from Wiktionary Media from Wikimedia Commons News from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Travel guide from Wikivoyage Learning resources from Wikiversity Yukon Government Yukon at Curlie ( based on DMOZ ) Yukon Attraction & Service Guides Immigration Yukon William E. 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Sarvant Photography Collection - Images depicting his life in the Yukon from the University of Washington Library `` Territorial Battles : Yukon Elections, 1978 -- 2002 '', Digital Archives, CBC Mapping the Way - Yukon First Nation Self - government Places adjacent to Yukon Alaska, United States Arctic Ocean Chukotka and Sakha, Russia Northwest Territories Alaska, United States Yukon Northwest Territories Alaska, United States British Columbia British Columbia Subdivisions of Yukon Regions Klondike Municipalities Carmacks Dawson City Faro Haines Junction Mayo Teslin Watson Lake Whitehorse Communities Beaver Creek Burwash Landing Carcross Conrad Champagne Landing Destruction Bay Ibex Valley Johnsons Crossing Keno City Lansdowne Marsh Lake Mount Lorne Old Crow Pelly Crossing Ross River Stewart Crossing Tagish Two and One - Half Mile Village Two Mile Village Upper Liard Ghost towns Clinton Creek Elsa Fortymile Paris Snag Parks Ivvavik Kluane Tombstone Vuntut Category : Yukon Portal : Yukon WikiProject : Canadian Territories Current Yukon territorial electoral districts Rural Klondike Kluane Lake Laberge Mayo - Tatchun Mount Lorne - Southern Lakes Pelly - Nisutlin Vuntut Gwitchin Watson Lake Whitehorse Copperbelt North Copperbelt South Mountainview Porter Creek Centre Porter Creek North Porter Creek South Riverdale North Riverdale South Takhini - Kopper King Whitehorse Centre Whitehorse West Former Copperbelt Dawson Faro McIntyre - Takhini Mount Lorne Southern Lakes Tatchun Whitehorse Yukon Electoral District No. 1 Yukon Electoral District No. 2 See also : 2011 election List of elections Legislative Assembly Politics of Yukon Premier Sandy Silver Former premiers Opposition Leader TBD Former Opposition Leaders Legislature Current assembly Cabinet Political parties Elections 2016 election Next election Past elections Yukon electoral districts Other Canadian politics Federal BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PEI NL YU NT NU Category : Yukon Portal : Yukon WikiProject : Canadian Territories Provinces and territories of Canada Provinces Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Territories Northwest Territories Nunavut Yukon Historical Former colonies and territories in Canada Territorial evolution of Canada after 1867 Proposed provinces and territories of Canada Related Area Bibliography Extreme points Government spending Gross domestic product Language policies Mountains Museums Name etymologies Population Regions Symbols Topics Unemployment Book Category Portal WikiProject Canada History Year list ( Timeline ) Pre-colonization New France ( 1534 -- 1763 ) British Canada ( 1763 -- 1867 ) Post-Confederation ( 1867 -- 1914 ) World Wars and Interwar Years ( 1914 -- 1945 ) Modern times : 1945 -- 1960 1960 -- 1981 1982 -- 1992 since 1992 Topics Constitutional Crown & Aboriginals Economic Etymology Former colonies & territories Immigration Military Monarchical National Historic Sites Persons of significance Territorial evolution Women Provinces and territories Provinces Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Territories Northwest Territories Nunavut Yukon Government Law Constitution Monarch Governor General Parliament ( Senate House of Commons ) Prime Minister list Courts Supreme Court Military Local government Foreign relations Law enforcement Politics Elections LGBT rights Multiculturalism Geography Regions ( west to east ) Pacific Northwest Western Canada Great Plains Canadian Prairies Northern Canada Canadian Shield Great Lakes Central Canada The Maritimes Eastern Canada Atlantic Canada Topics Animals Cities Earthquakes Islands Mountains National Parks Plants Great Lakes Regions Rivers Volcanoes Economy Agriculture Banking Bank of Canada Dollar Communications Companies Energy Fishing Oil Stock exchange Taxation Tourism Transportation Science and technology Social programs Poverty Society Education Healthcare Crime Values Demographics Topics Canadians Immigration Languages Religion 2001 Census 2006 Census 2011 Census Population Top 100s Metropolitan areas and agglomerations Population centres Municipalities Culture Architecture Art Cinema Cuisine Festivals Folklore People Holidays Identity Literature Music Nationalisms Online media Protectionism Sports Theatre Symbols Coat of arms Flags Provincial and territorial Royal Heraldic Article overviews Index Outline Topics Research Bibliography Historiography Book Category Portal Coordinates : 64 ° N 135 ° W ﻿ / ﻿ 64 ° N 135 ° W ﻿ / 64 ; 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Question: when did the yukon become part of canada
Answer: 1870