Fraser Feted at Commissioner’s Tea

By Heather Pauls

Dawson weather is erratic, and whenever there are plans to host a party out of doors, it will undoubtedly change from torrents of rain bursts to sunny splashes at random. It also makes for an awkward conversation topic when one finds an old English couple to sit with at the Commissioner’s Tea. Just stick to the weather and everyone’s health.

But rain or shine, photographers hover around the stage like flies (myself included) trying to get the perfect shot of the MC, Johnny “Caribou” Noonan, or Commissioner Jack Cable’s welcoming speech. The three little girls in dresses were a favourite shot amongst us as they peered under the curtains of the stage, perhaps hiding monsters, candy or something extraordinary.

Commissioner Jack Cable presents a Commissioner’s Award to Jack Fraser at the afternoon tea. Photo by Heather Pauls

But the most extraordinary looking of everyone present was Diamond Tooth Gertie, who turned up in a blue sequined number and belted out showtunes for the audience after joining a dirge group for a somber, tongue-in-cheek, miserable sounding welcome song. The crowd was treated to other musicians who sang either jazz standards or hilarious compositions about marketing their own love.

Taking the upbeat laughter down a small notch to happy gratitude, it came time to present the Commissioner’s Award for outstanding volunteer service. Commissioner Jack Cable and Lambert Curzon presented Jack Fraser with the prestigious award.

Before presenting Jack with the award, Lambert’s speech lavished praise for Jack’s innumerable volunteer contributions to the community through friendship with children, the Yukon Order of Pioneers, city events, and trapping and hunting.

“His contributions over the years have been immeasurable,” sai d Lambert. “This is the man of the hour.” And with that, Jack Fraser nodded from the back row, and was called up to accept his award and bullied into making a speech.

“I can only say that I’m very very honoured, very flattered, and very nervous,” said Jack. “This is a wonderful place to be at any time, winter or summer. And as lovely as the country is, it’s the people that made it this way in the first place and it seems that way to me. Thank you very much.” The sun beat down on his face as he smiled for all the photographers who blocked the view from everyone else

And with that, the Commissioner’s Tea commenced as usual. Servers in period costume poured tea into tiny china cups and offered baked sweets and sandwiches. Various important higher-ups smiled, chatted, shook hands and said good things about Dawson and the Tea from the stage. Tourists got a tour of the residence in funny fabric booties. It rained. It was sunny. And everyone had a good time.