Yukon, First Nations and History of Sikhs in the North

‘The’ Yukon is one of three Northern Territories in Northwest Canada, located above the 60th parallel. It touches Canada’s BC in the South, Alaska on the West and Beaufort sea in the North. It’s the land made famous by likes of writers and poets, Jack London and Robert Service. The Yukon’s First Nations Peoples have always been very welcoming to communities from all over the world, including Sikhs, allowing them to settle in the Yukon. Sikhs in Yukon have long and varied history and comprise an important fabric of local community. Local community commitment where ever the Sikhs reside is of very importance to them. Sikh families include owners of large and successful businesses, professionals, to newimmigrants seeking better life in Canada's north. The earliest history of Sikhs in Yukon goes well over a century, back to 1906. These are pictures of Sikhs helping with the railroad construction from 1906 in and around Whitehorse and Carcross.

Sikhs in Mining

Yukon was developed by miners, seeking gold, and till today mining remains important part economic activity. Sikh families started to put roots down permanently in Yukon back in late 1960’s and early 70’s. Most of the families moved and settled in the mining town of Faro. In 1981-82, the shutdown of mine in Faro resulted in Sikh families moving to Whitehorse, the capital city of Yukon. In past few years, just like rest of Canada, there has been a rapid increase in the population of the Yukon, and as such increase in the number of Sikhs calling Yukon their home.

Yukon Sikh Society and First Gurudwara Sahib in North

Guru Nanak Sikh Organization of Yukon was established in 1988, to commemorate important Sikh festivals, like Gurpurabs and Vaisakhi. Until Summer of 2020 the Sikh festivals were celebrated at people’s homes, or community halls. In August 2020, a group of local Sikhs, took the initiative and drove over 6000 kms to bring saroop of Shri Guru Granth Sahib from Vancouver, BC back to Whitehorse, with full maryada and parkash was done at a rented space.

A strong desire has been felt for a long time for having a permanent Gurudwara and a community center for Sikhs living in Yukon and for the future generations of Sikhs and young families moving to Yukon. The members of the Sikh community completed the purchase of about 1.5 acre property including the building across from the Whitehorse International Airport in September 2021.