Ione Christensen waits outside the Senate Chambers before being sworn in as senator during a private ceremony in Ottawa on September 7, 1999. The Canadian Press
Ione Christensen, a pioneering politician in Yukon, passed away Monday at 91. She was the first woman to serve as mayor of Whitehorse, appointed in 1975 after winning against seven male candidates. She later became the first female commissioner of Yukon in 1979 and the territory’s first female senator in 1999.
Christensen also achieved other firsts. She was the first woman in Yukon to serve as a justice of the peace and the first appointed as a judge in juvenile court. NDP Leader Kate White reflected on Christensen’s impact: “The reality is, it’s people like Ione who redefined what women could do in politics. She lived her life on her terms and did incredible things.”
Yukon Party Opposition MLA Geraldine Van Bibber praised her calm leadership and willingness to advise others. “If she was challenged, it made it more interesting for Ione. She was an amazing pioneer that just blazed trails and made things happen,” Van Bibber said.
A Sourdough Legacy
Beyond politics, Christensen was known for preserving a century-old sourdough starter in her Whitehorse fridge. The starter, brought to Yukon by her great-grandfather during the Klondike Gold Rush, remained a living symbol of the territory’s history.
“She was very proud that this thing has been in her family for so many years,” said Yukon chef Cat McInroy. Christensen entrusted McInroy with caring for the starter in 2017. Under their care, it has been shared across the world, reaching Antarctica, Europe, Australia, Guam, and more.
Christensen described the starter as “a family pet, if you will,” passed down from her great-grandfather Wesley David Ballentine, who carried it across the Chilkoot Pass in 1897. McInroy emphasized that the starter was never meant to generate profit. “This is the Yukon sourdough. It belongs to no one and to everyone,” she said.
Honouring a Life of Service
Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton praised Christensen’s long career in public service. “Over her long life, Ione broke barriers in politics, law and public service. She opened doors, inspired countless Yukoners, and showed the power of kindness, hard work and courage. The Yukon is stronger because of her,” he said.
The sourdough starter is now preserved in the International Sourdough Library in Belgium, symbolizing her enduring legacy both in the territory’s history and in the hearts of Yukoners. Christensen’s story continues to inspire future generations to pursue leadership and community service.
