Gerard: Came to Dawson 15 years ago.

"If I had come here in my early twenties, I would never have become a doctor because I would never have left!" 

Wendy: Came to Dawson from Vancouver to work for a summer as a can-can dancer. That was 16 years ago. Local business owner.

"There are a lot of different things that I like about Dawson. I really enjoy the adventure of living here. I skijor or canoe to work. I can go on great outdoor adventures without driving anywhere. I have an outdoors and physical lifestyle that I enjoy. And I like the harsh climate. It's part of the adventure."
 

Glenda: Came to Dawson from Vancouver for a summer and stayed. That was 15 years ago.

"This town has pretty much everything. The arts and culture scene that is ever growing here has been amazing. It's one of the highlights of living here. I think one of the best things about living in Dawson is the Dawson City Music Festival. You meet musicians from all over the world and you don't have to go to them, the best comes to us. I have met people here that I would have never met living in the city. There is no way I would have had the same contacts. I have met Bruce Cockburn. I have met Brad Roberts from the Crash Test Dummies. It's been great getting the occasional post card and thank you note and you feel like, wow, you're part of this great cultural network.

I like that I can wear jeans one day and the next day I'm wearing a party dress and lipstick and nobody bats an eye! Just whatever! At weddings and funerals in this town people are dressed anywhere from their best jeans to the most beautiful chic outfit you would expect to see walking in New York. That's good.

When I moved here my whole social group grew. You just have a broader sense of what people do and who they are and you are not pigeon holed. Your friends are diverse both in background and in ages. You can go for coffee with someone your mother's age and then be joined by someone half your age. Your social group expands and the reward for that is that your friendships become deeper. Also, there's not may people here who have their extended family here, so you get included in all sorts of "family" activities like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Even if you don't have your own kids, it doesn't matter, you still go to the school play and get invited to kids' birthday parties. You don't have to worry about being so far away from family because someone will always include you. That's pretty unique.

One of the other things I like is that people cook here, and they're such marvellous cooks! . When I lived in the city you went out for dinner, but here people prepare these big dinner parties and really put effort into cooking.

I like that when it's time to go out for a walk, you don't have to drive or take a bus to get there. You just walk out your door and within a few minutes you are on a trail. That's freedom!"

 

Karen: Has lived in Dawson all her life. Mother of two teenagers. Programme director of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture.

"There is way too much to do here for such a small town! If you have an interest in any area, you can make all kinds of things happen. There is time and opportunity to develop your skills and your talents, whatever they may be. Here we are living in this tiny little town and yet think of all of the people we have met that you would never meet if you were in a big city: Prince Charles; Bruce Cockburn; Maurice Richard; Barbara Samuels (screen writer for North of Sixty); the musicians, it just goes on and on. The Arts Centre has added a new dimension: the art gallery, art film, art courses and you can tell people love it. There are 350 people taking courses every year.

I like that you are 45 years old and you're not stuck in some kind of an age bracket, you can do whatever you want. I still do lots of things with young people. You get to know and you get along with people from all walks of life and all ages. I'm taking violin lessons with an elder and an 11 yr old. Here you might get on a committee with a computer technician or a doctor or a painter and it doesn't matter. Everybody gets along and is seen as equals.

I love the seasons. Spring and fall are intense, but short, so we don't have a lot of grey. We don't have a lot of wind. I like this hot summer of suntan and shorts. I like the winter because I get lots done, its more relaxing than the busy summer and Dawson becomes more of a community.

It's a very safe place to raise kids. You know where your kids are all the time and generally if they are doing anything they shouldn't be doing, you find out about it so quickly. I think that the teachers at the school are wonderful. You wouldn't get any better teachers anywhere. There's lots of stuff for kids to do in Dawson, there's tons of stuff for teenagers to do. But most teenagers want to just hang out (play hackey sack or go skate boarding), no matter where they live so they don't always take advantage of organized events, like the movies and concerts that come to town, even though they would be welcome. Everybody realizes they are teenagers, and lets them be.

A lot of people who live here come from a long ways away and their families are a long ways away so that you do develop closer bonds and make very close friends with the people you meet here. Everybody says that down south, they just don't develop the friendships like they developed here."
 

Byrun: Came to the Yukon for a summer adventure to hike the Chilkoot trail and raft down the Yukon River and never left. That was 27 years ago.

"I think Dawson is still a classless society. People mix from all backgrounds and all educations. (And there are lots of very educated people living here.) A lot of people come to Dawson without family and therefore your friends become really close and special. Great friendships is one of the reasons why I stayed. I love the landscape and the outdoors. Even though I'm 50 I still hunt, fish, go hiking and canoe a river every year. I've been a construction person, a life skills coach, a utility systems operator, a labour foreman, a gold miner and now I'm maintenance supervisor for Parks Canada. Any job that you have some skills in you do. You do whatever it takes in order to stay in Dawson."
 

Nancy: Has lived in Dawson for 8 years. Mother of three young children.

"I like the people. I like the community feeling. It's a perfect atmosphere for kids; it's a safe community and just a fun place to be for kids. Dawson is a special town. There is no place like it!"

Diane: Came to Dawson from Ottawa for a summer. That was 16 years ago. Local business owner.

"My reasons for living here might be somewhat different from others. I find it easier to get ahead compared to being down south. You are able to save money here. And I like the smallness and the fact that everyone knows everyone. There are many different kinds of people that you get to socialize and interact with here. That wouldn't happen in a city."
 

Tammy: came to Dawson 6 years ago from Ottawa. Local business manager in town. Chooses to live out of town in a cabin with a wood stove and no running water.

"I feel safe here. I love the beauty, the charm, the people and the smallness of Dawson. And scenary that can astound you! If you like being outdoors, it's a great place."
 
 

Sylvain: came to Dawson for a summer 9 years ago and stayed. He was previously living in Miami Beach, Japan and Aruba. Once a professional dancer, he and his dancing trio all came to Dawson and decided to give up their successful dancing career and live in Dawson. Since moving here Sylvain has been a small business owner and is now a flight service operator.

"Definitely the best thing about Dawson is the people. And then the scenery. People get along. That's why people like to live here. It's nice to go away and visit the big city but, after living here, I could never go back and live there again."
 

Paul: Came to Dawson from Melbourne, Australia 2 years ago.

"For me, the main attraction of Dawson is the historical aspect. To me it's like walking around a living museum. There are some very interesting characters and personalities who live here as well. I like the scenary and being away from the big city life. I live in a cabin in the bush with no running water and no electricity. It is peace and quiet and I absolutely adore it. Those are the main reasons for me being happy here."