Learn about an alternative lifestyle in the culturally rich territory of Yukon, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are a new homestead of 5 years committed to an alternative lifestyle. We are slowly building a solid foundation of communal living. We strive to live in a wholistic manner with nature and be a REAL example of how we can help this beautiful planet flourish everywhere. We follow the values of Respect and Integrity with each other and the other living creatures on the property!
  
  We currently live off-grid in a passive solar log house and have an array of buildings made with salvaged materials. Our vision is to live in a self-sustainable manner, and to build and teach resilience.
  
  “Permanent Agriculture” is our primary driver therefore our land development plan is dictated by the natural lay of the land and is adapted to Northern climates. Our intention is to build a communal rammed earth tire building (often known as an Earth Ship) within the next five years. All of our electricity is from solar panels for the moment and we are planning to tap into our windy springs and autumns with wind power in the future as well.
  
  This coming year we are working with the land on projects such as: mitigating unnatural dry spells by mulching the food forest and occasionally hauling water, constructing the recycled materials shed, installing eaves troughs, putting roofs on 2 other tiny structures including our potting/drying area, planning 4 season greenhouses, building a chicken tractor and chicken coop (We have 2 chicken coops already as we need those soil enhancers up here!), maintaining earthworks and gardens with clip and mulch techniques and preparing for another 80 foot grow tunnel in one of our alleys (alley cropping for annual feed-stock) amongst other little things like maintenance of walkways and weatherproofing buildings with natural stain. And the list could go on and on as living off the grid always brings new projects and ideas to life.
  
  The land is located 35 minutes from Whitehorse, Yukon. The views are phenomenal!!!! We are surrounded by mountains and trembling aspens! We are a ten minute drive (45 min bike ride) to the large Lake Laberge which is connected to the Yukon River. You are sure to be inspired and moved by the landscape and its inhabitants. Living here is definitely quite peaceful , it’s a place where you can take the time to live in the present, surrounded by nature and share precious moments with others.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The Yukon is a culturally rich territory. There is much to learn from the cultural ways of its First Peoples.
  
  At our home, you will be learning about basic permanent agriculture (permaculture) concepts. You will also learn creative construction with salvaged materials, gardening, animal care, cooking, fermentation … and also share conversations about Life, spirituality, ecology, society, the fundamental respect of nature, the Yukon, community or alternative way of living, let’s dig down the rabbit hole together!
  
  We would be pleased as well to learn from you as everyone has interesting knowledge to share. That’s part of the idea of our homestead and future community - all together we can be stronger and bring to life what would not be easily done alone. Many hands make light work!
  
  As well, we are French-Canadians originally from Quebec, Canada.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for motivated help! Although we welcome questions and give out thorough instructions, we appreciate people who are capable of working independently. Resourcefulness is a welcomed quality! We have such a wide array of projects on the go, and many skills are needed. People with experience with permaculture gardening, eco-building, using tools and solar power, construction, cooking, taking care of chickens and dogs, building fences are more than welcome!!! Also, there is room here for creative tinkering to ameliorate existing systems and create new ones if you’re really motivated to. Even if we know everyone has something to offer, we would like to prioritize people interested in longer-term stays. It is possible to accommodate 1 person and a couple simultaneously during the summer months.
  
  We are looking for people to work 5 hours a day with evenings free to explore. Days off are preferably during the week because we work a few days weekly and so communal projects are done during weekends. This is why we would appreciate volunteers to be available when group work gets done.
  
  We drive in and out of town regularly, therefore rides into town are possible to those without vehicles. Bicycles will be available to volunteers as a way to explore the neighbourhood.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  In the summer, Workawayers will be set up in a 8 X 12 wall tent as a bedroom facility. Live like an old prospector...but in luxury! The wall tent is on a wooden platform and has a double mattress. Depending on the combination of workawayers (couple or non-couple), we have some other sleeping arrangements (although they will not be as private as the wall tent). We also have plenty of wide open spaces to set up tents, but you would need to bring your own.
  
  In the colder months, we have a loft bedroom above the shop which is kept warm with the wood stove we keep feeding in order to ensure our stuff does not freeze. (This will be a helper's duty). This loft has lots of windows with mountain views and plenty of blankets to stay warm and cozy while you enjoy looking at the surroundings and the sky, it can be breathtaking during the winter!!
  
  In the summer, Workawayers have access to separate cooking quarters where they will be able to cook their own breakfasts, as well occasional lunches. We call this area our Camper Kitchen and it is well organized. Workawayers may be entitled to a weekly grocery allotment unless we have a designated community cook. Basic food staples will be provided. Some dinners will be communal but not all - unless of course, we score a chef inclined to a similar diet as us! We enjoy finishing week-end work days around a nice bonfire with good food.
  
  Our diet is mostly vegetarian and non-refined as much as possible. We enjoy making tasty food from scratch including ferments with local produce when available. We can accommodate for different diets (ex: vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, dairy free).
  
  We have no running water yet, so outhouses are available for those nature calls. With no washroom facilities on the property, we have the following options for showering:
  - 20 minute car ride to gas station with comfortable private showers @ $5. Each
  - camp bag shower on premises or hand wash with basin
  - hot water all day long in a big pot waiting for us during the winter!
  
  Laundry is done at one of the laundromats in town.
  
  Our cell service is somewhat sporadic but texting capacity is by far better than cell phone. We do have a land line as well as internet in the main house and don’t worry the Wi-Fi works really well!!

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  What else ...

  Just hanging out on our 12 acres or walking the different trails within our subdivision can be relaxing and blissful but there is a non-ending list of activities to do in the Whitehorse area as you can see from the links below. You’ll see, we never find the time to get bored even if sometimes… We take it!
  
  
  
  

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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