OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/02/13 -- Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will be in Yukon, from August 5 to 7, 2013.
The visit will commence in Whitehorse, where Their Excellencies will observe the work of federal and territorial agencies working in collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces members participating in this year's Operation NANOOK. They will also travel to Takhini, Haines Junction and Klukshu, where they will meet with the Chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, as well as with members of his council and the community.
On the second day, His Excellency will return to Operation NANOOK to witness the first-response work of Canadian Armed Forces troops. During this time, Her Excellency will visit Bridges Cafe at the Ledge and meet with some of the employees who are living with disabilities, including mental illness. Later that day, Their Excellencies will attend a reception where His Excellency will present the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to individuals who contribute to the well-being of their community.
Here is a detailed schedule of Their Excellencies' itinerary (Pacific Daylight Time):
Whitehorse
Monday, August 5
5:15 p.m.
Arrival at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
Their Excellencies will be greeted at the airport by Lieutenant-General
Stuart Beare, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command; Chief Warrant
Officer Gerard Poitras; Brigadier-General Greg Loos, Commander Joint Task
Force North; and Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Blais.
Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, 75 Barkley Grow Crescent
PHOTO OP ONLY
Whitehorse
Tuesday, August 6
8:40 a.m.
Visit to Operation NANOOK Headquarters
Their Excellencies will attend a briefing about this year's exercise and
will meet with Canadian Armed Forces members working at the headquarters.
Operation NANOOK 2013 will take place in four distinct geographical
locations: Whitehorse, Yukon; Cornwallis Island, Nunavut; King William
Island, Nunavut; and Resolution Island, Nunavut. The exercise will showcase
Canadian Armed Forces support to civil emergency management situations, its
response to threats to public safety, and its assistance to law enforcement
agencies.
Takhini Arena, 345 Range Road
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650,
stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
9:30 a.m.
Government of Yukon Emergency Preparedness Exercise
Their Excellencies will attend a briefing on the work that the Government of
Yukon is doing in emergency preparedness, specifically in response to forest
fires. Following the briefing, Their Excellencies will travel by helicopter
to Carmacks, the site of recent forest fires, where they will meet federal
and territorial partners, as well as volunteers participating in the
exercise.
As part of this year's Operation NANOOK, the Government of Yukon is leading
an emergency preparedness exercise in the Whitehorse area. A series of
staged exercises will test Yukon's ongoing emergency planning and
preparedness and inter-agency coordination. This is an opportunity for
Yukon's emergency agencies to work with the Canadian Armed Forces and to
practice a coordinated approach in responding to emergencies. The following
agencies will be involved: the Government of Yukon, the City of Whitehorse,
the Whitehorse General Hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and
other agencies supported by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Various locations
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650,
stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
Takhini
1:30 p.m.
Visit to a Habitat for Humanity Build
Along with Chief James Allen of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
(CAFN), Their Excellencies will visit the first Habitat for Humanity build
on First Nation settlement land in Canada. The building, a triplex for
members of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, is scheduled to be
completed in fall 2013.
The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations is self governing with traditional
territories in Yukon and Northern British Columbia. Today, CAFN's main
offices are located in Haines Junction, with permanent communities in Haines
Junction, Canyon Creek, Champagne, and Takhini River Subdivision. The
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations was one of the first four Yukon First
Nations communities to sign a land claims agreement in 1993.
Takhini River Subdivision, Alaska Highway
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237, almckinnon@cafn.ca
Haines Junction
3:30 p.m.
Visit to Da Ku Cultural Centre
Accompanied by Chief Allen and members of his council, Their Excellencies
will tour the newly opened cultural centre. Officially opened on June 1,
2013, the Da Ku Cultural Centre is a gathering place that recognizes and
celebrates the cultural contributions and way of life of Champagne and
Aishihik First Nations peoples. Da Ku means "Our House" in the Southern
Tutchone language. It is owned and operated by Champagne and Aishihik First
Nations. One-third of the centre is leased to Yukon Tourism & Culture and to
Parks Canada (Kluane National Park & Reserve) for their respective visitor
information services.
280 Alaska Highway, Haines Junction
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237, almckinnon@cafn.ca
Klukshu
5 p.m.
Community Dinner
Their Excellencies will attend a community dinner held at Klukshu, a
traditional fishing camp for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
There, Their Excellencies will meet with members of the community who are
taking part in an eight-day hike from Neskatahin to Hutchi. Also in
attendance will be Chief Allen, members of the council and some of the
families attending the Strengthening Families Camp, which is held in
Klukshu.
Klukshu Village, Haines Highway
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACTS: Amy McKinnon, 867-634-4237, almckinnon@cafn.ca
Whitehorse
Wednesday, August 7
9 a.m.
His Excellency to Visit Operation NANOOK Exercises
The Governor General will have the opportunity to witness first-hand the
work of the Canadian Armed Forces in collaboration with territorial and
municipal authorities during Operation NANOOK. His Excellency will first
visit the Immediate Reaction Unit Headquarters, followed by a tour of a
mobile medical unit situated at the Canada Games Centre. The Governor
General will then travel to Copper Ridge to observe sprinkler line
operations, after which he will move to McLean Lake Road to view fuel break
operations.
Various locations
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Richardson, 867-667-5650,
stefanie.richardson@gov.yk.ca
10:30 a.m.
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston to Visit Bridges Cafe at the Ledge
Her Excellency will spend part of the morning cooking and baking with
employees of Bridges Cafe at the Ledge. The Cafe's staff are people living
with disabilities, including mental illness. This employment provides them
an opportunity to gain practical skills and experience, as well as to
interact with the public.
The Bridges Cafe at the Ledge was officially opened in April 2013 in the
Yukon Government Main Administrative Building, by the Challenge-Disability
Resource Group. This non-profit organization has been assisting people with
disabilities in Yukon since 1976. Its mandate is to assist people with
disabilities to become active in their community, by learning real job
skills and entering the job market.
Lower level of the Government of Yukon Main Administrative Building, 2071
Second Avenue
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Living, 867-667-3673, patricia.living@gov.yk.ca
1:15 p.m.
Reception Hosted by the Government of Yukon and Presentation of the Caring
Canadian Award
Their Honours the Honourable Doug Phillips, Commissioner of Yukon, and Ms.
Dale Stokes, along with the Honourable Elaine Taylor, Deputy Premier of
Yukon, will host a reception to mark their Excellencies' visit. On this
occasion, His Excellency will speak and present the Governor General's
Caring Canadian Award to two individuals who contribute to the well-being of
their community. The recipients' names and their citations will be made
available at a later date.
The Wheelhouse Restaurant, 2237 Second Avenue
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Cheryl Major, 867-667-5339, cheryl.major@gov.yk.ca
About the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Created in 1995, the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award recognizes
living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant,
sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad.
Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and
efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the
example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our
Canadian character. For more information about this award, visit
www.gg.ca/caring.
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Contacts:
Melanie Villeneuve
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
melanie.villeneuve@gg.ca
