Yukon 2020 expedition leader Art “Karts” Huseonica, a Sun City resident, will christen his expedition canoe Coquette.

It is an 18-foot open canoe with two seats. Although this is technically a solo expedition, Huseonica will have several indigenous peoples joining him for river segments in the Yukon Territory and Alaska.

The expedition canoe, manufactured by Nova Craft Canoe, is made from a specialized blend of composite materials designed to withstand an arduous journey. It also has a unique paint scheme unlike any other canoe.

The canoe is named in honor of Robert W. Service’s canoe Coquette. Service was a British-Canadian poet, writer and adventurer. He worked and wrote for several years in the Yukon Territory of Canada, garnering himself the nickname “The Bard of the Yukon.” Huseonica will visit many of the places recognizing Service in Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon, Canada.

The naming process was the result of a collaboration between Huseonica and the estate of Robert W. Service. Huseonica had been searching for a name for many months. He believes this seems to be the perfect fit. Coquette is French from the late 1700s and means a flirtatious lady.

Service’s biographical work by his great-granddaughter, Charlotte Longepe, has been an insipration for Huseonica. The book will be featured in the expedition’s documentary film.