Pj Johnson

Poet and Musician

On Canada Day July 1st 1994 I was formally invested by the Commissioner of the Yukon and became the first official Yukon poet laureate, the first officially-invested poet laureate in Canada, and the only non-British invested poet laureate in the world. On that day I was also given the title “Poet Laureate of the Yukon” and presented with a signed official proclamation and the official “Poet Laureate of the Yukon” pin as my insignia. I was also presented with my personal symbol of office the carved Talking Stick by former Yukon MP Audrey McLaughlin. My official title is: “Poet Laureate of the Yukon”.

The daughter of a Yukon trapper, I am also known as "The Yukon Raven Lady" - a self-proclaimed "Raven Maniac"  who led a successful campaign to have my personal symbol and spirit guide the northern raven formally recognized as the Yukon's  official Territorial Symbol In 1985.

I am also an Animal Advocate and a section of this website is dedicated to honouring and protecting the creatures with whom we share this planet. At present I am campaigning to have the two brutal 1,000-mile sled dog races permanently banned due the on-going inhumane treatment of the sled dogs. 

Over the years I have participated in the world of creative arts as a musician/ composer, actress, poet, playwright, photographer, performance artist, and creative mentor. My original creative works have been performed live and televised at various local and national venues.

As an annual performer at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, in 1992 I composed and produced the play "Dance of the Northern Lights" and was invited to perform it at the National Gallery of Canada and the Astrolabe Theatre in Ottawa. My performances have also been featured on a variety of national television and radio programs such as CTV's "Canada AM", CBC's "Midday", ABC's "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!", Peter Gzowski's "Morningside" and WTN's "Lifestyles" Network. Examples of my creative works and links to recent magazine interviews in national publications can be viewed on this website and also on various social media sites online. 

As a performance artist little of my creative work is actually in print. My first book, "I Sing Yukon"  - a small collection of my earliest  poems, stories and anecdotes - was published in 1982 and is now out of print and a second book - "Rhymes Of The Raven Lady" , published by Hancock House in 1995 - was basically a reprint of “I Sing Yukon”.  Perhaps one day I will endeavor to have a collection of my creative works published however I must admit it isn't high on my list. When it comes to dealing with any kind of text I am limited considerably due to a condition called "Nonverbal Learning Disorder" and because I am drawn to dance with the muse the majority of my creative works remain unpublished.

I am presently composing and producing and am interested in collaborating and networking with other vocalists, musicians, photographers and filmmakers. I also enjoy facilitating creative workshops and serving as a mentor to aspiring creative artists. I administrate an online Facebook group called 'Canadian Poets & Scribes'  - a place to share creative works and network with other artists.

https://youtu.be/Ym3IFjfiIQQ - www.yukonpoetlaureate.com