TIME FOR YUKON GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE MANDATORY SAFETY AND SURVIVAL COMPETENCY FOR OUT OF TERRITORY VISITORS AS THE CONSTANCE RESOURCES SPENT ON LOCATING MISSING AND INJURED TOURIST'S

On June 11, 2026, Whitehorse RCMP received a report of a capsized canoe on the Teslin River. Camping gear, an inReach device and a lifejacket were found with the canoe.

Yukon RCMP Search and Rescue resources deployed by helicopter to search the river through Thursday evening and continued the search on Friday. RCMP are also searching the waterway by boat and trails leading to the river by ATV. A Police Service Dog team has been deployed, and Yukon Search and Rescue volunteers (YSAR) are assisting with the search.

The missing person has been identified as Dominic Bandorski, from Germany. He was on a solo canoe trip on the Teslin River that began from Johnsons Crossing on June 4. It is possible that Dominic Bandorski may have made it on land or that his canoe and supplies drifted away from him while he was on shore. Yukon RCMP are asking anyone who is out on the water, land or travelling the highway to be on the lookout for Dominic Bandorski.

This growing and dangerous trend where individuals venture into the uncharted Yukon wilderness relying on information from YouTube rather than formal training. To prevent further tragedies, the Yukon government needs to implement mandatory wilderness survival certification for those embarking on remote solo trips. The reality of the terrain is far more unforgiving than a video suggests, and many visitors underestimate the true dangers of the wilderness without professional knowledge of survival and navigation.

As the cost to send out a search and rescue is a expensive and time consuming resource especially in fire seasons time. This is a cost to taxpayers for our people in time of need but tourists, the cost should be past down at there expense.

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN

more should be done to require wilderness survival certification before people venture into remote backcountry. Too often, people underestimate the risks after watching a few videos online and then head into Yukon’s wilderness without a real understanding of weather, water, navigation, communication, or emergency preparedness. Mandatory training would help prevent dangerous situations and save lives.

OUR CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY

Yukon RCMP and the coroner's service say human remains found on the Yukon River earlier this month match those of Dominic Bandorski of Germany. Bandorski was reported missing in June after his canoe was found capsized. He had been on a solo trip down the Teslin and Yukon Rivers.