Active Voice - Stories from across the Yukon

We sent out a call for people in Whitehorse to send in their stories about the city, the land, and their families. This call was tied to the Active Voice event that was held Nov. 27 to celebrate the release of Tanya Talaga's book The Knowing.

Adri Lera and Eleanor April, our two winning submissions, were both featured at the morning event alongside Tanya Talaga and Ivan Coyote.

In true Yukon fashion, we were blown away by the depth and beauty of the pieces. The stories that were sent in are fantastic and meaningful, from people moving to Whitehorse and finding a welcoming home, to uncovering who they truly are.

Below are the stories we received, including our two winners. Follow the links below the author's image of themselves or their favourite spot in Whitehorse and bio to read their work!

Adri Lera (winner)

Adri Lera was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. She currently lives in Mount Lorne, about 40 kilometres south of Whitehorse. She attends Yukon University and is of Tlingit and Unangax̂ heritage. She is a multimedia artist who works in poetry, short fiction and non-fiction, beading, drawing, painting and anything else she can get her hands on.

You can find Adri's story here.

Eleanor April (winner)

Eleanor is a budding trans writer, poet and storyteller based in Whitehorse. Before coming to the Yukon, she was born and raised in Alberta and migrated north in 2019. She currently enjoys writing about gender, self-discovery and joy under the vital editorial supervision of her cat. She's been a featured writer for Words Out Loud organized by Yukon Words. Outside of writing, Eleanor enjoys watching weird movies, listening to angry banjo music and learning about human history. 

You can find Eleanor April's story here.

Allie Dixon

My name is Allie Dixon and I was born in Kamloops, B.C., but raised in Whitehorse. In my free time, you can find me either looking at the sky or researching the different aspects of space. I'm usually learning new things and challenging myself. Recently, I participated in the Warrior Program where I successfully pushed myself to be more outgoing. I only started writing to learn how to express myself better. This interest began in high school once I started enjoying books. I was hesitant to submit my writing to the Active Voice contest because I didn't have confidence in what I wrote. After I heard everyone's thoughts on my hunting camp story, I reluctantly submitted it. I will be graduating soon and I am looking forward to more learning in university.

You can find Allie Dixon's story here.

Maria Belen

Born in Quito, Ecuador, and currently residing in Whitehorse, I am passionate about words and the connection to the magical. From a young age, I discovered writing as a powerful form of expression, participating in and winning local and national literary contests. One of my most significant achievements was earning first place at the national level with my story Curiosity and the Great Spirit, a work that blends magical realism with the preservation of ancestral knowledge.

While I currently hold a conventional job, I also dedicate myself to sharing reflections on various topics through social media. Additionally, I am a holistic therapist, helping people from different countries find balance and well-being. When I am not immersed in my profession, I lose myself in the unique landscapes of Yukon, where the natural world inspires in me a profound sense of sensitivity and creativity. I take joy in capturing details that often go unnoticed, such as a leaf resting on the snow or tiny flowers adorning the trails.

I firmly believe in magic because I see it in every sunrise, in the mountains, in the dance of the northern lights, and, most of all, in the eyes of those who dare to be authentic. My life is a constant journey between the visible and the invisible, between creation and contemplation.

You can find Maria Belen's story here.

Xinyao Zhang

My name is Xinyao Zhang, I am a first-generation immigrant who moved to Whitehorse in 2019. I aspire to study political science in Ontario next year with my passion for law, governance and humanities. My time in Whitehorse has given me various opportunities to explore this field of personal interest, including my time as a page in the Yukon Legislature, the Equal Voice Campaign School, and the FH Collins Social Justice Club.

You can find Xinyao Zhang's story here.

Kylie Campbell-Clarke

Kylie is Australia-born and came to the Yukon in 2017, calling it home. She currently studies her doctorate in perinatal mental health and hopes to ignite change within the industry.

You can find Kylie Campbell-Clarke's story here.

Kate Brown

I consider myself very fortunate to have called the Yukon home for more than 20 years now. I am Australia-born, and a retired GP. My happy place is on, or under, water.  My perfect summer is one spent canoeing our rivers, kayaking our lakes and zodiacing with family and friends.  

You can find Kate Brown's story here.