Yukon Chamber of Mines auction raises record-setting amount to support the Yukon Imagination Library

In one evening Yukon’s mining and exploration industry raised $50,000 for the Yukon Imagination Library (YIL) at the Yukon Chamber of Mines45th Annual Geoscience Forum Banquet. This is more than double the $24,500 raised in 2016, and the highest amount ever since this fundraiser for YIL began in 2011.

“It was an unprecedented show of support from our partners in the mining and exploration industry,” said YIL Board Chair Wendy Tayler. “Every dollar raised in the Yukon is used to put books into the homes of Yukon families, and this money will be used to support early literacy in the next generation of Yukoners.”

The spirited live auction was held before a packed banquet hall at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in November. Items available for bid included generous donations from GoldCorp, Air North, Yukon’s Airline, GroupTen Minerals, Metallic Minerals Inc., Newmont, Kluane Drilling, SurveyTECH Instruments and Services, Career Industries Ltd., Tintina Consultants, Northern Vision Development, and CIBC Wood Gundy – Boychuk Knoblauch Financial Group.

“Yukon’s mining community supports numerous community and social initiatives in many ways,” said Yukon Chamber of Mines President Sue Craig. “Supporting early literacy in Yukon to enrich communities and families aligns with our core values as an industry.”

The $50,000 raised at the auction plus the Government of Yukon’s ongoing commitment to match fund money raised by the Yukon Imagination Library, brings the total to $100,000 to support early childhood literacy.

“Yukon Government is proud to support this valuable literacy initiative for our youth,” said Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ranj Pillai. “Encouraging a love for reading is something to foster early in a child’s life, and this program brings excitement and support to young readers. Thank you to the Yukon Chamber of Mines and all of those who donated and showed their support for this fundraiser.”

British Columbian artist Jeff Wilson also donated an original painting of a warmly lit exploration camp nestled under dancing northern lights. The artwork was valued at $2,200, but it sold for $12,000 after a lively round of bidding.

“I have a close connection to the Yukon and I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the Yukon Imagination Library auction for the third year in a row,” says Wilson.

This year’s silent auction also saw a large increase in donations, with 68 separate items and services, and an increase in bidding. The Northern Safety Network Yukon (NSNY) organized and coordinated the silent auction for the sixth year in a row.

“Each year we are astounded by the generosity of our local artisans, service providers, and construction companies,” said Sheila Sergy, NSNY Executive Director. “We are very proud to contribute to the success of the Yukon Imagination Library, and to the future literacy of the children of the Yukon.”