Executed in 1969, shortly after Ted Harrison settled in the Yukon, this work belongs to a pivotal and formative period in the artist’s journey, at the very beginning of his Canadian career. It stands as a rare and valuable testament to Harrison’s first steps toward the colourful, naïve style of depicting the Canadian North that would later bring him widespread acclaim, while still retaining the richness of detail characteristic of his earlier works, which were shaped by traditional artistic training.

At the heart of this vibrant winter scene appear two major symbols that would become recurring motifs in his work: the Caribou Hotel in the background, a historic building in Carcross steeped in local memory, and the steamship Tutshi, evoking the era of river transport during the gold rush. Far more than simple references, these elements represent a poetic celebration of the history and identity of the Canadian North, which Harrison begins to explore here with the tenderness and stylization that would become his visual signature.

In the foreground, a lively series of vignettes illustrates winter community life with a charming vibrancy: a dog sled team, a skier, a snowmobile, hockey players, curling enthusiasts, and children engaged in a snowball fight all share the space in a spirit of conviviality and resilience. These figures, simple in form yet expressive, contribute to a warm and accessible portrayal of life in the Far North, an approach that reflects the deeply humanist vision so dear to the artist.

This 1969 work thus marks a key milestone in Ted Harrison’s artistic path, a rare piece that captures the moment the artist began to forge his unique visual language. With remarkable sensitivity, it brings together local memory, collective celebration, and the emergence of a singular perspective. Both historical and full of life, this painting anticipates the entire world Harrison was about to build and heralds the arrival of one of the most iconic artists of the Canadian North.