Photo by Vince Fedoroff
FORMER MINISTER PASSES – Archie Lang speaks at former premier Dennis Fentie’s memorial gathering in Whitehorse on Nov. 8, 2019. Lang’s death was announced today.
Leader, Speaker praise late minister’s contributions
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon and the Speaker of the legislature paid tribute today to former cabinet minister Archie Lang, who has died. He would have turned 73 next month.
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon and the Speaker of the legislature paid tribute today to former cabinet minister Archie Lang, who has died. He would have turned 73 next month.
“It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of former Yukon Party MLA Archie Lang, who was a true giant of Yukon history,” Dixon said.
“Archie served the Yukon well over his two terms in office and played a key part in the Yukon Party governments elected in 2002 and 2006, serving as a minister in three portfolios during that time,” Dixon said.
“He was also a prominent and successful businessman in several communities throughout the Yukon.”
Lang owned supermarkets in Watson Lake and Whitehorse, as well as the Caribou Hotel in Carcross and the Watson Lake Hotel. He did not seek re-election in Porter Creek Centre in 2011.
“While his voice in the legislature was often calm and measured, Archie was known for his ability to get just about any room roaring with laughter,” Dixon said.
“His tales of days gone by were legendary, and he loved offering anyone who would listen a glimpse into the old days of the territory.
“His presence alone attracted people, and it was never uncommon to see anyone in earshot keeled over with laughter when Archie would recant one of his stories.
“Archie played an instrumental role in the development of the Yukon Party, and was an important mentor to me personally,” Dixon added.
“On behalf of the Yukon Party family, I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Lang was the brother of Dan Lang, a former Yukon Territorial Progressive Conservative Party cabinet minister and the territory’s ex-senator.
“The Yukon Legislative Assembly is saddened to hear of the recent passing of former member of the legislative assembly, Archie Lang,” Speaker Nils Clarke said early this afternoon.
“Archie Lang was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election of November 4, 2002. He was re-elected in the general election of October 10, 2006 and served as the member for Porter Creek Centre until October 10, 2011.
“Mr. Lang was a member of cabinet from November 30, 2002 to November 4, 2011. He was minister of Highways and Public Works, minister of Community Services, minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, and minister responsible for the Yukon Energy Corporation and the Yukon Development Corporation,” Clarke added.
“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends on their loss.”
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Comments (11)
Up 12 Down 7
Wilf Carter on Mar 12, 2021 at 9:51 am
Share a funny story about Archie. We were sitting at an AGM of the Yukon party in a church in downtown Whitehorse by a liquor store. Archie had this big role of paper laying in the corner of the room.
It came his turn to speak as minister. So several people helped him with the paper. He unrolled the paper with all these things on it that said anything you could think of on them. It must taken him days to do all that work.
Then he says we are the Yukon party having our AGM in a church by a liquor store is very Yukon-onish.
He was a master of goodness and fun.
You will be very missed.
Up 19 Down 5
Kathie Nukon on Mar 12, 2021 at 8:26 am
I send my deepest sympathy to Archie's wife, his children, his brother Danny, his extended family and to his many, many friends. I am fortunate to have known a wonderful person, such as Archie. May God give you comfort during this difficult time. May you rest in peace, my dear friend.
Up 21 Down 6
Lawrence Schnig on Mar 11, 2021 at 9:43 pm
One of my dearest friends I have ever known in the Yukon, Good hearted with a great sense of humour, Condolences to his family, Rest in piece my friend.
Up 20 Down 6
JO on Mar 11, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Our sincere condolences to Karen and family on the passing of Archie. We are deeply saddened on his passing he was a sincere, caring and amazing man. We wish the entire Lang family our thoughts and will miss him at Super A, Porter Creek forever.
Up 28 Down 8
Dave Sloan on Mar 11, 2021 at 5:29 pm
Archie Lang was the funniest person I have ever met. He had a razor sharp and lightning wit. He was also a generous contributor to the community and the territory. Our years in Watson Lake were filled with epic events at the Watson Lake Hotel, and Archie was the ringmaster behind many of them like the medieval dinners, the Gong Show, Hawaiian Night, and of course, the infamous Academy Awards .
I remember going into the bar to get beer to celebrate Dave Porter's electoral win, and hearing Archie's voice boom across the bar, "Here come the communists to seize our beer." So many memories, too many to count.
A generous host, a superb raconteur, a great public servant, a wonderful booster for his community and the Yukon. A true Yukon original.
Up 22 Down 6
George McConkey / Brenda Baxter on Mar 11, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Lang family at this time. Archie will be missed he was a true Yukoner!
R I P Archie
Up 65 Down 14
RIP Archie on Mar 11, 2021 at 2:51 pm
My condolences to the family. He was a really fair man.
Up 66 Down 13
Wilf Carter on Mar 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Archie helped me to understand the Yukon and how it works. He was a kind and giving person to anyone who needed it.
Up 62 Down 11
Marshall on Mar 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm
The entire Lang family were gems. Hector Lang will always remain in my memory as a salt of the earth guy. I one time rode as a passenger in one of Archie's road boats from Watson to Whitehorse and let me tell you.... that was an adventure, funny stories where he looked me in the eye instead of watching the road and all of this at about 100 mph. The good old days.
Up 44 Down 13
Patti Eyre on Mar 11, 2021 at 1:41 pm
My condolences to his family and friends.
Up 64 Down 13
Kerry Huff on Mar 11, 2021 at 1:33 pm
It was with a heavy heart that I learned of Archie’s passing today. He was a very good man with a positive and contagious approach to life. I will miss him during my visits to Porter Creek Super A. Something that would never happen when he was there. Rest In Peace Archie.