The Cultural Services branch consists of five distinct units

Arts

Heritage Resources

Yukon Archives

Museums

Historic Sites

Arts The Arts Section's mandate is to support and encourage the development of the visual, literary, and performing arts in Yukon. We accomplish this through agreements and programs which enhance public appreciation of the arts . Fund administrators assist applicants in preparing their projects to be submitted for assessment by the Yukon Arts Advisory Council or peer juries which make funding recommendations to the Minister. The Arts Section also provides maintenance, interpretation, and curatorial support to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection

Art Curator, Garnet Meuthing and her team doing an art installation at the Haines Junction Visitor Information Centre summer 2012.

Heritage Resources The unit co-ordinates and manages land-based heritage resources including archaeology, palaeontology, geographical names, and licensing of scientific research. It is responsible for the development, administration, and input of information, policy and advice regarding heritage resources development, management and protections. It consists of four units; Archaeology, Palaeontology, Geographic Place Names and Scientists and Explorers Act.

KDFN and TTC students assist in excavations at a 7,000 year old site in the McIntyre Creek drainage

students excavating the 1852 Hudson’s Bay post foundations at Fort Selkirk in 2005.

Granger2 – Yukon Archaeology STEP student Christian Thomas on Granger ice patch in 1999. (We left him up there all day to anchor the rope used to help in the sampling of the ice layers. He still complains about it!)

Yukon Archives Yukon Archives has a legislated responsibility to acquire, preserve, and make accessible documentary sources in all formats related to Yukon history, cultures and development. It is the official repository for Yukon government and Yukon municipalities. In addition to government/public records, the archives collects primary sources from individuals, families, and corporate entities, and also has a library that holds a large collection of published materials books, newspapers, serials, and pamphlets) pertaining to Yukon and surrounding regions. These materials cover a wealth of subjects, including Yukon and northern history, environment, ethnography, science and nature, exploration, and others.

Conservator, Rob Ridgen conducting a film base identification test

Archives staff Douglas Drake, Jennifer Roberts and Rob Ridgen opening the Aubrey Simmons donation

Government Records Archivist, Wendy Sokolon speaking at “Heritage After Hours” event

Museums

The Museums Unit is responsible for coordinating the delivery of a variety of support services to Yukon museums, interpretive centres, First Nation cultural/heritage centres and the umbrella organization Yukon Historical and Museums Association (YHMA). Our Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre is part of our Museums unit.

Camp Beringia is a popular attraction for visitors and school groups at the YBIC

Historic Sites

The Historic Sites Program provides for the research, preservation, management, development and interpretation of Yukon's historic sites and routes. It takes part in the implementation of the Historic Resources Act and meeting of Yukon government heritage obligations under the Council of Yukon First Nations' Umbrella Final Agreement and individual First Nation final agreements.