The history of the people these dolls represent was highlighted through three expo discussions, giving the public in Dawson, Haines Junction and Whitehorse the opportunity to interact with their creators.
As part of Canada's 150th anniversary, the Yukon community was invited to explore and embrace traditional arts and crafts by participating in a creative doll making workshop, using recycled materials.
The history of the people these dolls represent was highlighted through three expo discussions, giving the public in Dawson, Haines Junction and Whitehorse the opportunity to interact with their creators.
Inspired by real people, past and present, these 21 dolls pay tribute to the French Yukoners who shaped the history of our territory.
François Houle
By Sophie Brisebois
François-Xavier Mercier
By Cécile Girard
Louis Lapierre
By Brittany Mai
Lorenzo Grimard
By Patricia Brennan
Marie-Louise Taché
By Emilie Dory
Jeanne Beaudoin
By Pascale Geoffroy
Father Jean-Marie Mouchet
By Denise Beauchamp
Madam Teacher
By Edith Bélanger
Joseph Eugène Binet
By Sylvie Binette
Belinda Mulrooney and “Count” Charles-Eugène Carbonneau
By Josée Fortin
Mathilde « Ruby » Scott
By Roxanne Thibaudeau
Léo Martel
By Maude Craig-Duchesne
Cécile Girard
By Maryne Dumaine
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Émilie (Fortin) Tremblay
By Rosie Lapierre
Louis Alphonse Paré
By Mireille Labbé
Emma Fontaine
By Angélique Bernard
Joseph E. N. Duclos
By Nathalie Lapointe
Lorenzo Létourneau
By Pierrette Taillefer
Marie Beaudin
By Isabelle Salesse
Léa Moreau
By Marie-Stéphanie Gasse
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Cécile Girard has been living in the Yukon since 1981. She has a B.A.in Graphic Design from l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).
As soon as she arrived in the territory, Cécile began making wool batting stuffed dolls, colourful creations she sold in local shops and in Alaska.
In 1983, she joined l’Aurore boréale newspaper’s team of volunteers. She was assigned the responsibility for the front pages, which she drew using China ink. In 1986, she created the Franco-Yukon flag. Managing Director of l’Aurore boréale for more than 25 years, she has successfully completed many art projects in parallel.
With her dolls, Cécile, who is now retired, is returning to her first love. “Every doll is unique, but they are all Northern creatures, firmly rooted in their environment; each in its own way reflects and celebrates our local residents―yesterday’s and today’s,” she explains.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada.
