Whitehorse 2020!
I recently discovered this poem lying in an old cardboard box along with a scribbled note dated November 16th 1986 that said: “A bit of tripe I was persuaded, god knows why, to conjure.”
I was asked to write a poem about how Whitehorse might have changed by the year 2020. I'm not sure why the year 2020 was targeted or who asked me to write it. Possibly the City of Whitehorse.
A few of my poems were also included in a time capsule buried beneath Main Street Whitehorse Yukon to be unearthed as part of the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the City of Whitehorse in the year 2050. This poem was included in the capsule.
Whitehorse 2020 – ©PJ Yukon November 16th 1986
I dreamed a dream of Whitehorse
One long dark winter’s night
And the year was 2020
And the town was quite a sight!
Now a million strong the city was
With her history on display
A hustling bustling mecca
Where the world had come to play
And the first native sons of the Kwanlin Dun
Stood tall as they governed their own
And they bade me to come to their place in the sun
In the Land of the Wolf and Crow
Then I saw a sign that was big as you see ‘em
On top of the YTG
Boasting ‘Whitehorse World-Class Wax Museum’
And “Here Burns Sam McGee”
A massive dredge from the goldrush days
Overshadowed a street painted gold
And the White Pass train was a-rollin’ again
Giving rides to the young and old
The Transport Museum arose full-blown
Inside sailed the ‘Yukon Lou’
And the college had grown to a size so unknown
They’d renamed it “The Yukon U.”
The commuters now sped via motorized sled
Which far neath the city would whisk ‘em
Straight home in a flash for a small bit of cash
On the Whitehorse Ice-Tube subway system
All sorts of Whitehorsians had grossed mega-fortunes
Through enterprise, guts, and free-trade
All the world wanted portions and offered consortiums
For anything stamped ‘Yukon Made’
Here the people reside in good cheer undenied
For they work just six months of the year
The mosquitoes have died of some de-secticide
So the folks flock outdoors without fear
On the new little roof of the government place
Sits a raven with mukluks and toque on
And a sign at the base of this wee edifice
Says “The Province of The Yukon”
Whatever I saw gave a feeling of awe
For a people so strong and alive
As my dream faded off I remembered the law
That only the strong shall survive
Then I heaved a sigh as the end of that nigh
Left me feeling quite sentimently
And the sun rose high as I bade goodbye
To Whitehorse 2020
©PJ Yukon November 16th 1986
*UPDATE: Apparently I did get a few things right:
1. In 1990 the Umbrella Final Agreement was signed and in 1992 Yukon First Nations self-government negotiations concluded.
2. It was recently announced that The Yukon University Act had officially passed Third Reading. Once it receives assent the Act will set the legal framework for a university in Yukon — Canada's first university north of 60.
3. The White Pass & Yukon Route railway ceased operations in 1984 when the Cyprus Anvil mine closed down in Faro Yukon. It later resumed operations as a tourist excursion attraction in 1988.
4. The Yukon Transportation Museum opened its doors on July 1 1990.
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November 6, 2019: Exactly one year ago today I was sitting at my desk when I suddenly suffered a brain hemorrhage. This is my story ~~> BRAIN HEMORRHAGE!
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November 6 2019: It has been announced that Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will no longer wear fur! That's HUGE! Kudo's to the Queen for setting an honourable example! No animal should ever have to suffer & die in agony for the vanity of a human! *As the daughter of a Yukon trapper my message is this: Times change. Let's work together to make this a more humane world! www.independent.co.uk/life-style/queen-elizabeth-fur-faux-real-ceremonial-buckingham-palace-a9186561.html
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
November 6 2019: It has been announced that Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will no longer wear fur! That's HUGE! Kudo's to the Queen for setting an honourable example! No animal should ever have to suffer & die in agony for the vanity of a human! *As the daughter of a Yukon trapper my message is this: Times change. Let's work together to make this a more humane world! www.independent.co.uk/life-style/queen-elizabeth-fur-faux-real-ceremonial-buckingham-palace-a9186561.html
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
November 6, 2019: I am elated! It has been announced that Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will no longer wear fur! That's HUGE! Kudo's to the Queen for setting an honourable example! No animal should ever have to suffer & die in agony for the vanity of a human! *As the daughter of a Yukon trapper my message is this: Times change. Let's work together to make this a more humane world!
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/pj-johnson-animal-advocate/
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September 3 2019: I was honoured to be featured at the Art Bar Poetry Series event in Toronto Ontario where I also spoke about the desperate plight of the Northern Sled Dogs who continue to suffer and die in long distance sled dog races like the Yukon Quest which takes place in my homeland. *View video ~~> Videos by PJ Yukon
The place was packed and I enjoyed connecting with friends old & new. Pics are of me & Laura Corbeil and fellow poet Pat Connors. And of course a picture of me onstage washed-out by a pot light - Never fails!
*See also videos taken by Laura Corbeil at: Videos by PJ Yukon
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August 29 2019:
40% OF MUSHERS SIGNED UP FOR 2020 YUKON QUEST HAVE ALREADY RUN AT LEAST ONE DOG TO DEATH!
*Click here to view the latest update of my campaign to end the cruel and barbaric Yukon Quest 1,000-mile sled dog race where animals continue to suffer and die in agony! ~~> https://bit.ly/2puqnVs
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Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/a2018-poems-events/
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/a2018-poems-events/
Canada Day July 1st 2019: It's a great day to be Canadian! Exactly 25 years ago today I was formally invested as Poet Laureate of the Yukon. Happy Canada Day! #CanadaDay #amwriting #Yukon #Poetry #writingcommunity #SledDogs #artsandentertainment #BanIditQuest #PoetLaureate
Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/news-/
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Read more: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/news-/
June 28 2019 Update: Due to ongoing health issues I have had to take a step back from my work as an animal rights advocate. However the sled dogs are never far from my heart and I will be back in full force when I recover. I ask fellow friends & advocates to continue to help raise awareness about the plight of the northern sled dogs and help put an end to the barbaric Yukon Quest 1,000-mile sled dog race by sharing the article exposing the truth about how they are exploited and suffer at: https://bit.ly/2EzQYms and encouraging others to sign & share the petition at https://bit.ly/2uIN6z7
In the meantime me & my co-pilot Doc send our love from the Yukon!
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Time - A song about the power of love by PJ Yukon
time
time with its measureless
passing of suns
brings moments of magic
that can’t be undone
your smile like the sunshine
yet greets me at dawn
the sound of your laughter
still rings on and on
for as time dims the eye
and quiets the ear
i will love you forever
and ever my dear
though gone from my presence
you live in my heart
the bond hasn’t altered
since we’ve been apart
though night brings a shadow
and often a tear
i am with you in spirit
i’ll always be near
for as time dims the eye
and quiets the ear
i will love you forever
and ever my dear
now yesterday’s daydreams
have faded to gray
and a song leads us onward
as we soar away
to a land where there’s never
a reason to cry
and never forever
a time for goodbye
for as time dims the eye
and quiets the ear
i will love you forever
and ever my dear
©PJ Yukon 2010
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June 27 2019: “Love your neighbour. We are all neighbours.” PJ Yukon.
A poem called "we all come" in celebration of National Writing Day from Land of the Midnight Sun!
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February 11 2019: This year yet another dog named Joker the Sled Dog died in agony in the cruel Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile Sled Dog Race. Goodbye Sweet Puppy. R.I.P.
Joker The Sled Dog 2014 - 2019
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January 20 2019:
He's here! Meet my new best friend Doc! Puppy-Love at first sight!
*Below vid by Laura Corbeil September 2019 Freetimes Cafe Toronto