Issue No. 001 | Thursday, August 20, 2026
Welcome to the first issue of Almanac of the Yukon.
The goal is a useful, interesting weekly newsletter about the Yukon. We’ll cover interesting local trends, highlights, and market moves.
This week, we highlight how Yukon is more than a quarter larger than it was a decade ago, that the primary-care waitlist has nearly halved, and that salmon numbers are better than expected. We also have six events to consider, Yukon-connected public companies to watch, and an unofficial fireweed forecast for winter.
Thanks for checking us out. Let’s dive in.
Yukon Graph of the Week
Yukon has added more than 10,000 residents in the last decade
Yukon’s estimated population reached a record 48,453 on March 31, 2026.
That is 10,365 more residents than on the same date in 2016, an increase of 27.2%.
The Whitehorse area accounted for 9,303 of the 10,365 people added, or roughly nine out of every ten new residents.
The growth is noticeable. Every morning, we all feel it as we sit in traffic. “Grow and thrive,” as I always say. Well, as I just started saying.
Where are the new residents coming from?
Statistics Canada’s latest complete ten-year dataset covers July 2015 through June 2025. Based on those estimates, Yukon’s population growth during the period came from:
55% international migration
32% net migration between Yukon and the rest of Canada
13% natural increase, meaning births minus deaths
Looking at migration alone, nearly two-thirds of Yukon’s net gain came through international migration.
Natural increase may be the smallest category, but my friend group has been doing its best to lift that final number. Such is life in your early thirties.
Sources: Yukon Bureau of Statistics, Population Report Q1 2026, and Statistics Canada, annual components of demographic growth. Percentages are calculated from Statistics Canada’s annual estimates.
Yukon Wins
The primary-care waitlist has fallen by 47%.
Yukon’s primary-care waitlist fell from 4,606 people on January 26 to 2,445 on July 20, a reduction of approximately 47% in six months.
Since November, nine doctors have moved to Yukon, and three more are expected to arrive in August and September. Seven of the 12 will provide community-based primary care in Whitehorse, Dawson, and Watson Lake.
A new partnership with Kwanlin Dün First Nation will also attach hundreds of patients to a nurse practitioner at the Natsékhi Kų̀ Health Center.
Doctors seem to like it here. Especially if they moved from Yellowknife.
Sources: Government of Yukon physician recruitment update and Kwanlin Dün First Nation primary-care partnership.
Team Yukon wins 22 medals at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Team Yukon won 22 medals at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat: 7 gold, 11 silver and 4 bronze.
That is an excellent showing from our small northern team. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who made it possible.
Sources: Official medal standings and Sport Yukon.
Salmon numbers offer a reason for hope
An estimated 31,992 Chinook had passed the Eagle sonar station near the Alaska-Yukon border by August 10.
It is the strongest showing since 2019. Still, it remains well below the historical average of 45,504 for that date, and fisheries managers do not expect the border passage goal to be met.
The summer chum run is more encouraging. Its preliminary run size is just over one million fish, nearly three times the preseason projection and within the drainage-wide escapement goal.
It is not a full recovery, but after several bleak years, more salmon making the long journey home is worth celebrating.
From the Almanac
Fireweed is Yukon’s summer clock
There is an old northern saying that when fireweed blossoms reach the top of the stalk, the first snow is six weeks away.
Looking out my window at yellow leaves, it feels uncomfortably believable that the fireweed is right.
Fireweed became Yukon’s official floral emblem in 1957. It generally blooms here from mid-July into September.
Whether it can actually predict winter is another question. Still, once the flowers reach the top, it may be time to finish those summer projects you have been politely ignoring.
Sources: Government of Yukon, symbols and emblems, Government of Yukon, welcome signs and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, fireweed folklore.
Yukon Find
Lunch at Azhong Noodles
I had lunch at Azhong Noodles this week, and it deserves a shout-out.
The food truck is parked along the downtown waterfront and serves hand-pulled noodles and Asian noodle soups. My lunch was excellent, and it was nice to sit next to the Yukon River and enjoy the view and the sun.
If you work downtown and haven’t tried it yet, take advantage while food-truck season is still here.
Upcoming Events
Slamfest 2026
Wednesday, August 26 | 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Mount Sima, Whitehorse | $30 plus lift ticket
Mount Sima’s signature mountain-bike race returns with intermediate and pro divisions, plus a barbecue, beer garden, music and prizes. Registration closes August 24, and spectators are welcome.
Whitewater Wednesday: 30th Anniversary Show
Wednesday, August 26 | 7 p.m.
Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse | Pay what you decide, $10 to $50
Three decades of music, community and Yukon musicians come together in a mainstage performance curated by Whitewater Wednesday founder Peggy Hanifan.
Fireweed Community Market
Thursday, August 27 | 3 to 7 p.m.
Shipyards Park, Whitehorse | Free
Pick up dinner, local produce or something made in Yukon while the outdoor market season is still with us. The summer market continues every Thursday through September 24.
Chocolate Claim 10 Miler
Sunday, August 30 | 10 a.m.
Rotary Park, Whitehorse | Free with a 2026 Athletics Yukon membership
A scenic, self-supported 10-mile run through Miles Canyon and the Chadburn Lake area. It is excellent training for the Klondike Road Relay, although the chance to win a Chocolate Claim cake may be the stronger motivation.
Book Ahead
Cat Clyde
Sunday, September 13 | 7 p.m.
Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse | $30
Ontario singer-songwriter Cat Clyde brings her blend of folk, blues and country to Whitehorse.
Basia Bulat
Friday, September 18 | 7 p.m.
Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse | $45
The acclaimed Montreal singer-songwriter brings her distinctive mix of folk, soul and pop to Whitehorse.
SISTERS
Friday, September 4 | 7 p.m.
Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse
A new dance-and-theatre production celebrating sisterhood, growing up and the bonds that shape us. The show was developed over two years with a team of local artists.
The Yukon Market Board
Yukon mining shares had a remarkable month, but the rally lost momentum this week.
Most companies on the board have remained higher over the past month, with several by more than 30%.
The Yukon Market Board
Gold and silver surged, and every company on the Yukon board finished the week higher.
Gold gained 5.2% and silver rose 6.5%, helping renew momentum across Yukon mining shares. Hecla led the board with a 10.1% weekly gain.
The year-to-date numbers tell an even bigger story. Gladiator Metals has climbed 161%, Banyan Gold 103%, and White Gold Corp. 70%.
The Week in Markets
Market | Five days | One month | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|
+5.2% | +14.9% | +7.6% | |
+6.5% | +18.0% | -2.8% | |
-0.4% | +3.8% | +15.6% | |
+5.2% | -4.2% | +50.9% | |
-0.3% | +3.5% | +15.5% | |
-1.4% | +3.5% | +12.1% | |
+0.8% | +2.5% | -0.5% |
The precious metals led the week. Oil also moved sharply higher, although it remains lower over the past month. The broader Canadian and American stock markets finished the week lower.
Yukon Companies
Company and price | Five days | One month | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|
Snowline Gold · $18.32 | +3.7% | +30.0% | +5.5% |
Banyan Gold · $1.85 | +5.7% | +35.0% | +103.3% |
Fireweed Metals · $3.61 | +4.3% | +29.9% | +33.2% |
Western Copper and Gold · $3.48 | +4.2% | +14.9% | -5.2% |
Sitka Gold · $1.07 | +7.5% | +12.6% | +10.3% |
White Gold Corp. · $2.08 | +4.5% | +32.5% | +70.5% |
Gladiator Metals · $2.95 | +3.5% | +0.3% | +161.1% |
Metallic Minerals · $0.255 | +2.0% | +24.4% | -23.9% |
Yukon Metals · $0.40 | +3.9% | +1.3% | -13.0% |
Hecla Mining · US$20.72 | +10.1% | +36.4% | +8.0% |
Market Mover
Gladiator reports more high-grade copper near Whitehorse
Gladiator Metals reported 49 metres grading 1.72% copper at Cowley, including 40 metres grading 1.98% copper. The interval also contained gold, silver and molybdenum.
The company has expanded its planned Cowley drilling program from 8,000 metres to more than 14,000 metres. It is an eye-catching result, although one drill hole does not make a mine.
Gladiator shares closed at $2.95, up 3.5% for the week and approximately 161% since the beginning of the year.
Prices and returns are as of the August 21, 2026 market close and are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. YTD measures the change since December 31, 2025. Returns are based on price movements and exclude dividends. This section is for information only and is not financial advice.
Quote of the Week
“You cannot separate knowledge from contact with the ground. Actually, you cannot separate anything from contact with the ground.”
That is it for Issue No. 001. Thanks for reading the first Almanac.
What should I feature in a future Yukon Find? Reply with a business, trail, artist, book, meal or local oddity that deserves more attention.
If someone came to mind while you were reading this, please forward this issue to them. :)
Until next week,
Michael