Immigration
Immigration Overview
About Yukon
People & Culture
Population
The population of Yukon is small. As of December 2007, the total population of the Territory was 32,714. Of these, 24,473 live in Whitehorse, the capital city. 1,879 people live in Dawson City and 1,596 people live in Watson Lake. The remainder of the population lives in smaller communities around the Territory.
First Nation people are an important part of our population. According to the 2006 Census, approximately 25% of Yukon people identified themselves as being of Aboriginal origin. Yukon is also home to an active Francophone community and members of many ethnic and cultural groups.
More population information:
Yukon Bureau of Statistics - Demographic Statistics
Immigrants
According to CIC information, about 65 immigrants have come to the Yukon in each of the past three years. Most come to Whitehorse, with about ten each year in other Yukon communities.
The 2006 Canada Census showed 3,005 Yukoners born outside of Canada, with 1,950 who immigrated before 1991 and 385 who immigrated between 2001 and 2006. In recent years immigrants have come to Yukon from 19 different countries, with concentrations of immigrants from the United States, UK, Germany, Philippines, Switzerland and China.
Culture
Yukon boasts an active arts scene, far larger than our population would suggest. The territory's premiere arts facility, the Yukon Arts Centre regularly presents local and touring performers and presents world-class gallery artists.
Each year, events like the Dawson City Music Festival and the Yukon Storytelling Festival bring national and international attention to the Territory, which is enlivened by dozens of other art and cultural events, as well as galleries, workshops and musical performances.
Sport
Most Yukoners have an active lifestyle and there are many opportunities for outdoor and indoor sports activities year-round. Hiking, boating, fishing and skiing are popular and there are many sport and athletic organizations.
In addition to neighborhood and local sports, there are also large sporting events held here. Whitehorse was host to the 2007 Canada Winter Games and the Yukon Quest, a thousand mile sled dog race, takes place each year.
History
Yukon has a rich and varied history: remains of human habitation found near Old Crow appear to be the oldest in North America. Yukon First Nations people had extensive trading networks long before the area was explored by traders from the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1800s. In 1898 Yukon became known around the world for the Klondike Gold Rush. Renowned authors Robert Service (The Cremation of Sam McGhee) and Jack London (Call of the Wild) both called Yukon home for a time. Stenwheelers plied Yukon rivers and lakes and the famous Alaska Highway was built across the Territory in 1942. Today, exhibits, museums and historic sites and bring Yukon's colourful history to life for residents and visitors.
More information:
Yukon Archives Online Exhibits
Yukon Archives Online Image Database
Contact - Immigration
Labour Market Programs & Services
Advanced Education Branch
Department of Education
Government of Yukon
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canada Y1A 2C6
(867) 456-6813
immigration@gov.yk.ca
