Ione Christensen, a prominent figure in Yukon history known for being the first female mayor of Whitehorse, as well as a former Yukon commissioner and senator, has passed away at the age of 91. Described as a remarkable individual by her longtime friend Ron Veale, a retired Yukon Supreme Court judge, Christensen was born in British Columbia and spent her early years at Fort Selkirk, a remote trading post where her father, an RCMP officer, was stationed.
Her childhood memories at Fort Selkirk, where she had a dog team and a trap line, often reflected her adventurous spirit. Veale reminisced about Christensen’s stories of traveling to school by riverboat and her fond recollections of smelling oranges as the last riverboat arrived.
Being hailed as “Yukon royalty” due to her lineage tracing back to the Gold Rush era, Christensen’s family eventually settled in Whitehorse in 1949. After obtaining a business administration degree in California, she embarked on a career with the territorial government while raising a family with her husband, Art Christensen. In the early 1970s, she made history as the first female justice of the peace and juvenile court judge in Yukon.
Christensen’s trailblazing continued when she ran for mayor of Whitehorse in 1975 and became the city’s first female mayor, defeating seven male opponents. Subsequently, she served as Yukon commissioner in 1979 but resigned that same year when the role transitioned to a more ceremonial position.
Despite facing challenges in federal politics as a Liberal candidate and losing to a longtime Progressive Conservative MP, Christensen remained resilient and focused on new endeavors. Her accomplishments over the years included spearheading a book on Whitehorse’s history, receiving the Order of Canada in 1994, being appointed to the Senate in 1999, and being among the first recipients of the Order of Yukon in 2019.
Notably, Christensen gained international recognition for preserving a century-old sourdough starter dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush, a tradition passed down by her great-grandfather. She shared her starter with the world, even having it enshrined in the Puratos Sourdough Library in Belgium.
Renowned for her positive outlook and zest for life, Christensen’s legacy as a pioneering leader was celebrated by Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton, Yukon Commissioner Adeline Webber, and Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron. Her son, Philip Christensen, emphasized her love for the Yukon, dedication to public service, and adventurous spirit as key aspects of her enduring impact.
Ione Christensen’s passing marks the end of an era in Yukon’s history, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, trailblazing leadership, and unwavering dedication to her community.
