Three more territorial legends have been named to the Order of Yukon.

Commissioner Adeline Webber, in her capacity as the Order’s chancellor, will present the Order to three Yukoners on Jan. 13. They are Yann Herry, Tim Koepke and Dave Stockdale, all of Whitehorse.

“The 2023 inductees have each exhibited remarkable achievements in their pursuits and have made outstanding contributions to the social, arts, cultural or economic well-being of the Yukon and its residents,” Webber stated last Friday in a news release.

“Yann Herry has contributed to the development and promotion of the Yukon’s francophone history and heritage. His community involvement has been notable in various areas, such as education and international relations,” Webber said.

“His significant contribution to the vitality of the franco-Yukon community serves as an inspiration for many.”

Herry spoke to the Star Tuesday about being named to the list.

“It’s a honour and a recognition of more than 40 years of engagement toward the Yukon and the francophone communities,” he said. “I’m very excited and honoured.”

Herry was born in Morocco and raised in Quebec. He arrived in the Yukon in 1979 and began his long relationship with the community here.

He discovered the “rich history” of the francophone community, and it became his passion to tell its story as it steadily grew.

“I wanted to transmit that heritage to students,” he said.

Herry said he’s trying to find out who nominated him, since he has no idea.

Koepke has dedicated more than 50 years to the cultural, socio-economic and political development of the Yukon.

He played a substantial role in Indigenous land claims, as the federal government’s negotiator, and remains committed to raising awareness about the history and content of the agreements.

He also spoke to the Star Tuesday.

“I was surprised and very honoured,” he said. “It’s not something you would expect.

Koepke was quick to say he couldn’t accept the award on his own, since he had a “huge team working with him” in the prolonged negotiations process.

“I was the orchestra conductor,” he said.

He’s been in the Yukon for 53 years now, he added.

He began his career as a land surveyor and engineer. He helped establish an office here in the territory for the Underhill company, before moving on to government negotiations.

Stockdale has been involved in promoting sports in the Yukon for more than five decades.

He played a key role in establishing the Sports Federation, now known as Sport Yukon, and the Northern Games, now known as the Arctic Winter Games.

Stockdale told the Star Tuesday he was elated to receive the award.

He said he’s thought about it off and on through the many years of volunteering for sports organizations here, and always believed the recognition would be an affirmation of his accomplishments.

Stockdale arrived in the Yukon in 1968, and almost immediately became involved with sports at the old F.H. Collins Secondary School, where he was a physical education teacher.

From there, he moved on to more and more sports, including table tennis, one of his favourites, and soccer at various levels.

Beginning in 1983, he also spent 33 years on Whitehorse city council, likely the territory’s longest tenure of any municipal politician.

He parlayed his sports reputation into that position, with his name recognition allowing him to keep a seat election after election.

Now in his 80s, Stockdale has kept a lower profile in recent years due to some health problems, but he hasn’t lost his interest in local and territorial sports.

“On behalf of all Yukoners, I congratulate Yann Herry, Tim Koepke and Dave Stockdale on their induction to the Order of Yukon,” Webber said in her statement

“Their tireless work, exceptional contributions and countless hours of volunteerism have shaped the Yukon of today. Thank you to the members of the public who took the time to submit nominations for this award, and to the advisory council members for their work in selecting the inductees,” Webber added.

Each inductee will receive his Order at the Commissioner’s Levee on Jan. 13 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

The Order of Yukon, the highest honour in the territory, is equivalent to similar national honours.

Its development began under the 2011-16 Yukon Party government, and it was formally introduced after the Liberals took power in 2016.

The Order is awarded to individuals who have shown excellence and made significant contributions to the well-being of the Yukon and its residents in social, cultural or economic aspects. 

“Congratulations to these three wonderful inductees for 2023,” said Yukon Supreme Court Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan, who chairs the advisory council.

“Each of them, through their outstanding achievements, has shown their passion for the Yukon, their dedication to excellence and their vision for positive change in our community.

“Through their commitment, indefatigable enthusiasm and altruism, all Yukoners have benefited.”