The Yukon Rendezvous Festival found itself enveloped in controversy today after announcing what’s appearing to be a very unpopular name change.

Festival organizers dropped the traditional “Sourdough” out of the name earlier this week.

They said it had some negative connotations to some people.

By this morning, the proverbial excrement had truly hit the fan on social media over the issue.

A member of one group on Facebook, the Yukon Helpers Network, had posted that threats were being made against the festival’s organizers and the building.

Members of the festival team were difficult to reach – and would offer only this as a comment to the Star:

“At this stage while we would prefer that you would not publish an article, we understand if you chose to go ahead without our comment,” said Saskrita Shrestha, the festival’s executive director.

Other, long-term Rendezvous supporters such as Gordie Ryder are outraged at the change.

In an interview with the Star, Ryder said he couldn’t believe what is happening.

“Is it true?” he asked a reporter in sheer disbelief. “I didn’t know about it, and no one was consulted.

“I certainly am upset about it.”

Ryder said the Sourdough name for the festival dates back at least to the 1950s, and harkens to the rich history, heritage and tradition of the Yukon.

He said he was “walking across the road to talk to them about this today.”

Another long-time supporter, who didn’t wish to be identified, had harsher words.

“It’s our tradition, our heritage,” he fumed. “Why change it? It’s been there forever.

“They need to give their heads a shake,” he added. “They did it without consultation; they did it without getting anyone’s opinion.

“They should all resign.”

Festival organizers sent out a notice on May 12, 2020, that contained a link to a survey about rebranding the festival.

Many people involved in supporting the festival, however, may not have paid much attention to it in the middle of the pandemic.

More than 400 comments on the issue on a Facebook page called “My Life in the Yukon” had piled up by mid-morning today.

“You have ruined the uniqueness of our Rendezvous,” Lynn Bartsch wrote. “This is very important for Yukon! You have lost my support.”

Sandra Lynn wrote, “Put Sourdough back into the name. I have yet to speak to anyone that approves of the change. This word is part of our history and tradition....”

“Will there still be Can Can dancers? I would think that would be more offensive to ‘some people’ than bread.

“As a former Yukoner of 22 years, I have many fond memories of the Sourdough Rendezvous,” Bonnie Simenson wrote.

“If people feel that some events are not inclusive, don’t go. Dropping part of the festival’s name just seems silly.”

Jack Laitinen wrote, “until I get a lucid, coherent, reasoned explanation, I want Sourdough to stay.”

It didn’t take long for a petition against the name change to show up on the Change.org website.

Initiated by Matthew Janiga, the petition had nearly 1,000 signatures by 11:30 this morning.

“Some things that have been done in this country were awful and should be rectified,” he said about the petition.

“However, I don’t believe this is one of them.Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous has been a Yukon tradition for 57 years. It’s been enjoyed by people from all around the world and of different nationalities. If it’s not broke, it doesn’t need fixing.

“I figured I’d pass this petition on to the Yukon Rendezvous society. If that doesn’t work, then I guess I’ll be bringing it to the City of Whitehorse or maybe a minister. We’ll see how it goes.”

In a letter sent to the Star, T.Z. Rogan had a different perspective.

She wrote, “Let’s start this off with stating that I was born right here in the Yukon. I have celebrated Rendezvous every single year of my life with the exception of the years I was outside the territory going to school.

“I grew up with the shufflers, the Cabane à Sucre, the chainsaw chucking and all of the zaniness that accompanies our winter festival.

“In 2017 I ran for, and was crowned Rendezvous Queen. I have volunteered in countless years, performed at, and was an eager participant in all that I could be a part of every year.

“And I am disgusted. As I am typing this, there are posts all over the internet, some with over 400 comments attacking Rendezvous for their decision to rebrand the festival, removing the word ‘sourdough’ from their organization.

“Over 90 per cent of the comments are angry, hateful, and nasty. The few of us who speak up are attacked personally.

“And this morning I found out that because of the behaviour of these people, Rendezvous not only took down their Facebook page, but closed their offices to work from home and protect their staff from the overwhelming amount of cyber bullying and threats to their staff they are receiving.

“I am so disappointed in my community today,” Rogan said.