“I spent a lot of years trying to build that sense of community for other people, to make people feel welcome and wanted. It’s really nice to be on the receiving end of it this time.”
For years, Robin Wasicuna was as close to a culinary household name as you can get in Yellowknife.
With his food truck, Wiseguy Foods, and later the Twin Pine Diner, Wasicuna created a series of inventive dining experiences, won customer service awards and earned himself TV appearances.
More recently, things have been harder. Ankle and knee injuries that can be traced back to his childhood now cause him significant pain and limit his movement. Tiny seizures related to an epilepsy diagnosis turn up daily. Meanwhile, Wasicuna and wife Karen are still paying off the debt they incurred running the diner.
His disabilities have left him “in constant pain,” he told Cabin Radio this month. Being a chef is no longer an option. However, he says he has been denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefits three times – culminating in a tribunal rejecting his arguments – because of complexities that included his record of prior CPP contributions. (He and his partner say there were several contributing factors.)
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“The pain doesn’t go away, it just gets worse or better, you know? I can do some light housework around the house but I have to stop every 10 to 15 minutes,” Wasicuna said.
“I was always really busy doing things, working in restaurants, working in my own places, and it’s a big change of life and lifestyle. It’s taking a lot of getting used to, but over the last couple years I’m slowly, slowly starting to accept it and trying to move on with my life now.”
Wasicuna said Karen is the only person able to earn money to help pay off the consumer proposal – a form of agreement that will clear a share of the diner debt.
“It’s exhausting, and because of the situation, I don’t have any autonomy. I’m relying solely on Karen,” he said.
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“My wife and I took on a lot of personal debt in credit cards and loans and stuff with our restaurant Twin Pine Diner, when we were running that. We opened that restaurant for $35,000 and we were always just trying to catch up and catch up.
“We did get ahead at one point and then the government took $11,000 out of our bank account for GST, and that set us right back to square one again.”
‘Extremely touched’
Step forward a collective of Yellowknife residents who want to help.
“We have multiple communities coming together to try and help support Robin, just recovering some funds after years of loss and denial from the government,” said Tyler WhiteKeyes, who is helping to organize a fundraising show for Wasicuna on Saturday night.
Jams, Glam & Gams, being held at Northern United Place, costs $60 to enter. Doors are at 6:30pm and tickets are available online.
Once event costs are covered, all proceeds go to Wasicuna, WhiteKeyes said.
The night includes performances by Stella Gams, Myka Myers, Flicka Flix, Gaumenschmaus, The Fat Mics, B-Rated Sounds and Darin Woodbury. Chef WhiteKeyes will provide bite-size appetizers. There will be a silent auction and door prizes.
“Robin has done a lot for the community and honestly, the city tastes a little less great without his food,” WhiteKeyes said.
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Wasicuna said the money raised will make a big difference.
“I’m constantly going to Edmonton for medical travel and when you do that, you have to pay for everything up front and then you get reimbursed a few weeks later. Even those trips are financially draining and very stressful and anxiety-ridden. I have to pay for some of my medicine that I need, so it’ll be nice to have that on hand as opposed to rationing it,” he said.
“People know me from playing music, they know me from the restaurant, they know me from a lot of situations, and it’s been really, really difficult to get out there and visit with my disabilities. Hopefully, other people with disabilities will be able to get the help that they need and not be stuck in a position like mine.
“I’ve been extremely touched by the generosity and all the people that are volunteering their time to perform or to help out. I’m really quite touched by it all.”
Correction: June 12, 2026 – 10:30 MT. Based on interviews conducted for this article, we initially reported Wasicuna had been denied CPP disability benefits four times. He and his partner said after this article was first published that the figure is actually three.
