The Yukon Transportation Hall of Fame has inducted four new recipients. Awards were presented during a ceremony held on the evening of June 6 and included: Person of the Year (2022), Pioneer of the Year (2022 and 2023) and the Order of Polaris (2023).
The recipients for the 2022 and 2023 Transportation Hall of Fame are:
- Bob Cameron, 2023 Order of Polaris,
- the late Earl MacKenzie, 2022 Person of the Year,
- the late George Dawson (K’alazhaw), 2022 Pioneer of the Year, and
- the late John Hepburn, 2023 Pioneer of the Year.
A summary of each recipient’s biography can be found in the backgrounder below. Full biographies of all Transportation Hall of Fame inductees are at the Yukon Transportation Museum in the Transportation Hall of Fame room.
Throughout the Yukon’s transportation history, we encounter a rich tapestry of colourful individuals who embody the ingenuity, perseverance and resolute spirit of the North. The individuals honoured in this year’s Transportation Hall of Fame awards have each left an enduring imprint through their work enhancing our transportation systems, fostering community connections and generously sharing their knowledge and experience.
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The Transportation Hall of Fame was created in 1996 to honour individuals or groups that have made a significant contribution to the transportation industry in the Yukon.
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The Hall of Fame is located at the Yukon Transportation museum and is sponsored by the Northern Air Transport Association, the Yukon Transportation Museum, the Yukon Transportation Association and the Government of Yukon.
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With this week’s inductees, there are now 100 Yukoners listed in the Yukon Transportation Hall of Fame.
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The preparation and planning for the Transportation Hall of Fame awards ceremony happens early in the year. At the time of planning for the 2022 awards ceremony, COVID restrictions were still in place, causing uncertainty for the event itself. This uncertainty led to the decision to postpone the 2022 event.
Bob Cameron, Order of Polaris (2023)
Bob's career and personal involvement in the aviation industry spanned nearly 60 years. Among his many credits, Bob was instrumental in mounting the DC-3 airplane CF-CPY on a pedestal to show the direction of the wind, making it the world’s only such weathervane. Originally mounted at the Eric Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, it now stands outside the Yukon Transportation Museum. Bob was central in the researching, locating and recovering of many historic Yukon aircraft, some of which are on display in the Yukon Transportation Museum. Bob also wrote and published his book Yukon Wings in 2012, which chronicles the history of the Yukon’s aviation sector.
Earl MacKenzie, Person of the Year (2022)
Earl was a key player in the creation of several business ventures throughout his years in the Yukon, including MacKenzie Petroleum, Bonanza Aviation and Kluane Freight Lines. He is recognized for his dedication to his work and community, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his knowledge and experience from a nearly 50-year career serving customers in remote locations across the territory.
George Dawson (K’alazhaw), Pioneer of the Year (2022)
Throughout his career, George held positions on the riverboats Kluane, Selkirk, Dawson, Casca and Aksala. He is also credited with recruiting and leading an all-First Nations crew during the construction of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s. When his career on the rivers of the Yukon was behind him, George helped keep that history alive by offering unofficial tours of the SS Klondike in Whitehorse, along with personal stories of his time on the Yukon’s waterways.
John Hepburn, Pioneer of the Year (2023)
In 1897, John came to the Yukon in search of gold like many others. However, personal tragedy struck on the Whitehorse rapids when the boat he was in capsized, drowning one of his travel mates. Following this, John was instrumental in developing a safer method for gold seekers to navigate around the deadly Whitehorse rapids on their journey to the gold fields of Dawson City during the Klondike gold rush.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Brittany Cross
Communications, Highways and Public Works
867-332-4601
brittany.cross@yukon.ca