Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #09-100
April 21, 2009
Cape Farewell Photo Exhibit Merges Art and Science for Young Climate Change Explorers
WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Department of Tourism and Culture is please to host an exhibition of photographs taken during the British Council-organized Cape Farewell Youth Expedition 2008.
Last fall, Yukon high school student Cassy Andrew joined an international youth expedition that journeyed to the Arctic and raised awareness of climate change in Canada and abroad.
“Youth have an important role to play in addressing and responding to climate change,” Tourism and Culture, and Environment Minister Elaine Taylor said. “Young leaders such as Yukon’s own Cassy Andrew, who participated in the Cape Farewell Youth Expedition, are to be commended for their work to raise awareness and bring world attention to the challenges we face in the North as a result of climate change impacts.”
The Cape Farewell Youth Expedition was an inspirational project that brought together top scientists, artists, educators and high school students from around the world. Young Canadians from each province and territory took part in the Arctic voyage of discovery.
Throughout the voyage, Canadian photographer Robert vanWaarden documented the journey and produced a collection of breathtaking images. The route began at Reykjavik, Iceland, skirted the southern tip of Greenland and ended in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Students studied climatology, oceanography, geomorphology and biogeography. Their art projects included film, photography, fine arts, performing arts and writing.
“I was so lucky to be chosen to represent the Yukon on the Cape Farewell Youth Expedition,” Andrew said. “I’ve never met a more passionate group of people or have seen such a captivating environment. The combination has given me the inspiration to take action on the global issue of climate change.”
The official launch of the exhibition was held on April 21 with Minister Taylor; Alex Budden, British Consul-General for Western Canada; and Cassy Andrew, Cape Farewell voyager in attendance.
The exhibition will be on display in the Government of Yukon Main Administration building foyer, on 2nd Avenue in Whitehorse, from April 20 to May 15, and will be open for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Attachment: photo and background information
| Contacts: | |
| Emily Younker Cabinet Communications Government of Yukon 867-633-7961 emily.younker@gov.yk.ca |
Karen Keeley Communications, Tourism & Culture Government of Yukon 867-667-8304 karen.keeley@gov.yk.ca |
Stephan Telka Programme Officer British Council (Ottawa) 613-364-6198 (cell) 613-302-0093 stephan.telka@britishcouncil.org |
Attachment: Photo and Background Information
The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
Caption: Yukon’s Cassy Andrew enjoys a moment of Arctic summer
Photo credit: Robert vanWaarden
Cassandra (Cassy) Andrew is a grade 11 student who attends Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon. Having been brought up in a territory still greatly covered in vast wilderness, the environment and its condition are very important to her. She is an active member of her school’s Social Justice Club where she makes sandwiches for homeless people in the area as well as discusses global issues in order to help find local solutions. She is also a member of her school’s climate change team where she helps organize projects and presented a speech on Earth Day. She lives on a family-operated farm, loves horses, outdoor activities, and plans to become a large animal veterinarian. Andrew has received several awards for high academic achievement, athlete-of-the-year as well as a citizenship award. She is always eager to educate herself and hopes to be able to pass on all that she learns to the people around her.
Robert vanWaarden is a photographer based in Canada and the Netherlands where he turns his lens on the problem of climate change. He has spent the last two years focusing on the social movements enacting change and the geographical affects of a changing climate. His work has appeared in major national and international magazines and he counts several international corporations amongst his clients. vanWaarden’s images have appeared in Canadian Geographic, Epoca Magazine, UP! Magazine, COWI, UPEI, McGill Law Journal, and The AGE. They have also been used by CNN, CBC, Radio Canada, the Quebec government and various international non-profit organizations.