world heritage dëbe sranän project update aka sheep month 2013 th heritage e-newslette… ·...

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Heritage Department Update November 2013

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Your TH Heritage DepartmentAngie Joseph-Rear, Language Coordinator 993-7139Lee Whalen, Heritage Officer 993-7113Glenda Bolt, DZCC Manager 993-6768Georgette McLeod, Cultural Ed. Coord. 993-7153Erika Scheffen, Heritage Assistant 993-7121 Sue Parsons, Collections Manager 993-7144Jody Beaumont, TK Specialist 993-7137Tish Lindgren, DZCC Gift Shop 993-6768 A/Supervisor and InterpreterAllie Winton, Researcher (term) 993-7121Alex Brooks, Site Supervisor 993-7144Kit Hepburn, Artifact Cataloguer (term) 993-7144Spruce Gerberding, Sites (term) 993-7100Percy Henry, Language Master 993-7139Mike Taylor, Sites (term) 993-7153Paula Hassard, UNESCO Project (term) 993-2429

Dëbe Sranän AKA Sheep Month

by Paula HassardOn the heels of a

successful World Heritage Workshop, Jackie Olson and I gave a presentation at the TH General Assembly on Sept. 29. We presented an overview of what the World Heritage project is about, where we are

right now, the role of TH in the process, next steps, and how TH citizens can get involved. Some of the concerns raised afterwards were about effects on the water, land, and environment if there are more tourists. Tr’ochëk and Forty Mile were mentioned as places having particular meaning.

World Heritage Project Update

The great-grandmothers, Martha Taylor and Mary McLeod. This photograph was most likely taken in front of Mary’s house in Dawson City. (Donated by Georgette McLeod.) More great photos from the collection inside!


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We are listening! We’ve taken what we heard to the TH Heritage staff, who are working on the draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). We also attended the Elders’ Council meeting on Oct. 8 for a brief follow-up.

At Jackie’s suggestion, we started a series of Soup-and-a-bun chats at the Cultural Centre, on Tuesdays at noon, Oct. 1, 8, 15, and 22. These were informal chats over a simple lunch about world heritage themes and places. It was lots of fun! The first session was attended by about eight people, growing to over a dozen at the second session, with about six right after Thanksgiving. Jackie was able to share her vision, and some interesting comments have been gathered. It’s important to connect with people to keep the conversation going! A huge thanks to Glenda Bolt, Tish Lindgren, and Chris Clarke for their help.

World Heritage Sites I’ve Seen Slide Show Night was held Oct. 2. This event was fun and informative! We wanted to catch Molly Shore before she left town and learn about her impressions of other World Heritage sites, such as Campeche, Mexico, and Hampi, India, and what we can learn in relation to Tr’ondëk/Klondike. Allie Winton presented her photos and thoughts about Laponia, Sweden, and Guanajuato, Mexico, and Wayne Potoroka spoke about the Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons), West Africa, and Aksum, Ethiopa. Mark Wickham took a different approach and delivered a rapid-fire presentation on all the World Heritage sites he’d ever visited—an astonishing 43 places! Can anyone beat that record? We’re going to have another slide night soon, so if you’d like to show your pictures call Paula at 993-2429.

The TH Collection is Growingby Sue ParsonsMähsi cho to the following for their generosity and

interest in sharing their heritage to benefit future generations by donating items to the collection. We’re working on processing these items as quickly as possible so they’re available to the public:• Krystal Roberts for the donation of images of

Elders from her mom Dorothy’s photos.• Brian Eccles for the donation of 39 pages of

articles written by his uncle, Philip Eccles. Philip lived in Dawson from 1937 to 1942,

and was a handyman and accordion player. He writes of a dance at Moosehide in 1937 as well as the St. Paul’s hostel.

• Martha Kate’s photos and mementos.

Early arrivals at the first Soup-and-a-Bun chat.

Heritage specialists brainstorm the themes, places, and people that could be part

of Tr’ondëk/Klondike at World Heritage Workshop #1. Stay tuned for Workshop #2!


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Erika HiheTotal Physical Response

Connects the Language BrainLast year, I taught at the Robert Service School

as the Hän Language Teacher, filling in for Melissa Hawkins. I taught Kindergarten to Grade 5. I followed the Yukon Native Language Centre Curriculum, teaching basic greetings, weather, introductions, hunting, fishing, animals, birds, kitchen cooking utensils, and food.

Yukon Native Language Centre encouraged me to complete my Teacher Certificate, so I’m now teaching the Kindergarden as well as the Aboriginal Headstart class. I’ve been using the Total Physical Response method (TPR) I learned in August that employs only action and speech. Some words I’m using are stand, sit, turn around, stop, jump, run, fast, and slow. I say the words to the students and then I act it out. Then the students act it out with me. It is a fun, active way to

learn the language. When I first started teaching, it was my second lesson in the first unit, and the kids were so tired, lying all over the floor, asking me if we were done yet.

Using the TPR method is good because it connects the right brain and left brain, getting both sides working. The students are actually doing things in the language so they comprehend it a lot better. The students have even started saying the words that I repeat, over and over again.

• Percy Henry’s donation of Gramma Martha Taylor’s dance shirt. Alex Taylor gifted the shirt to Percy who’s gifted it to all citizens through donation to the collection.

• Ronald Johnson for the donation of approximately eight boxes of his personal papers relating to his work on various boards and councils for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. These documents are important because they capture the development and evolution of this government.

• David Neufeld for his donation of six boxes worth of his papers during his work on the Tr’ochëk Steering Committee. The boxes contain images as well.

We continue working on the extensive Roy Johnson Photo Collection and are close to completing the Julia Morberg Photo Collection.

¸


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Kit Chatby Kit HepburnThis photograph (below) of Annie and Joe Henry

and Elsie and Charlie Johnson was recently found in the backlog of artifacts waiting to be

accessioned into the archives. It is a very important photograph, and the Heritage Department is hoping to learn more information about it. The photograph was likely taken in the Hän Fisheries building,

when the downstairs was used as dance hall. And although the influence of 1960s and ’70s fashion can be seen in the clothing worn by the dancers, other elements of the regalia belong to long-held

traditions that existed for generations before the influx of people during the Gold Rush. This photograph is one of the only colour prints the TH Archives has showing these traditional clothing items.This photograph is a copy of an original

photographic print, made with a digital camera in 1997 or 1998. At the time, there was a call for people to bring photographs into the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre that could be copied and included in a slide show.If you have any information about this image or

other similar images, please contact Kit Hepburn or Sue Parsons in the Heritage Department at 993-7144 or by email ([email protected]). Mähsi cho to those who’ve already provided us with input regarding this photograph and the revival of traditional dance initiated by Annie and Joe Henry, Elsie and Charlie Johnson, and Martha and David Taylor. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Däno

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ore!


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This photograph was taken during the 2006 Hide Tanning Camp held at C-4, showing Chris Evans, Louise Drugan, and Michael Taylor working together to scrape the hair from a hide, while Sue Parsons snaps a photo. (2013.74.4)

This decorative beaded belt was a gift from the Sleeping Lady Singers, who used to travel to the Moosehide Gatherings during the earlier years of the event. The Sleeping Lady Singers are an intertribal community-based drum group that has a foundation in sobriety. There are a few areas of damage to the belt, owing to deterioration of the beading thread. Before the belt was placed into storage, the damaged areas were stabilized by running a new thread through the beads. (2013.68.1)

Here is Joe Henry, looking for roots to be used in medicine. This photograph was taken by Jackie Olson in the summer of 1990, during an oral history project. (2013.66.10)

Congratulations to Bobbi Jo (nee Greenland)

and Wyatt Morgan who held their wedding

at Moosehide this summer.


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TR’OHUDE’Our Way of Life:

The Heritage Blog!by Allie Winton

Every day, wonderful heritage tidbits pass through our office—a story from Percy, a knife made by Victor, a new Hän word learned by Erika, a photograph from the archives, or information from the oral history collection. Inevitably, when this happens

everyone in the office “ooos” and “ahhhs,” reflects for a moment on the significance of what has been revealed … and then gets back to work. These tidbits forever make tiny impressions in our minds, shape the way we work, and enrich our lives, but we’re the only ones who stand witness to these valuable bits of living heritage.It seems rather unfair that we heritage workers

are the only folks who experience these important pieces of shared heritage, so we’ve created a platform from which to share those moments—we’ve started a blog!Right now, the blog is populated

with stories, photos, and animations from previous newsletters and events, but we’ll update it on a regular basis. Soon it will be bursting with educational, humorous, and valuable Tr’ondëk Heritage information. The blog is easy to navigate, with posts organized under various categories, such as “Traditional Knowledge,” “Elders,” and “Life and Land.” The posts are searchable

through these categories and can be seen by scrolling through the home page.The blog isn’t live quite yet, but will be

soon. When it is, you can access it at: http://trondekheritageblog.wordpress.com. We also plan to link the blog with the Dänojà Zho and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government Facebook pages, so if you’ve already “liked” those pages, you should automatically see updates of the blog.While this new, internet-based platform may

not work for every jijuu and jijii [grandma and grandpa], it is just one way to broaden the heritage audience and share our work in an instant and accessible format.Don’t worry: we’ll continue with all the other

fantastic communication methods we use—the heritage newsletter, the Dänojà Zho Facebook page, Radio Zho, community meetings, and letters and phone calls to local Elders. And we’re still gonna chat you up in the street!We’re certain that many of you experience daily

“heritage tidbits” in your work and life—perhaps wise words from your parents or little insights from your children—and we would love to hear these moments as well. If you have any ideas, stories, or photographs you’d like to contribute to the blog, please let us know.A big mähsi to Jody Beaumont, for putting the

blog together and making it look beautiful, and to the TH IT and Communications departments for their assistance. Happy blogging!


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Heritage Sites at a glance

The new cabin under construction at Tr’ochëk.

Trades Exploration Course participants had a great time at Land of Plenty. Warm sun, beautiful blue skies, hardworking crew, and two nearly completed cabins. Pat Hogan and the college crew are learning well from the Blanchard brothers and lots of good stuff is happening.

The heritage sites crew erect a firepit gazebo at Cache Creek so everyone can stay out of the rain while enjoying the warmth of the fire.

Historic restoration carpenter Ben Johnson worked his magic on the windows of the NWMP building at Fortymile, both inside (left) and out (right).


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Hammerstones to be Reprinted in the

New Yearby Glenda BoltAfter several years of consultation and research,

Hammerstones: a history of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, by Helene Dobrowolsky, was published in 2003. The book began as a project in 1995 to document the history of the land known as Tr’ochëk, Lousetown, and Klondike City. The intent of the book was to draw attention to the heritage values of this important cultural site that were under threat of destruction by placer mining. It was agreed that no matter what name you knew it by, or what chapter of history you found most fascinating, Tr’ochëk, Lousetown, or Klondike City was an important place worth protecting.Many individuals and organizations supported

the creation of Hammerstones, including Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the Yukon Historical and Museums Association, Dawson City Museum, Parks Canada, and the Yukon Government–Heritage Resources Unit. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Elders, citizens, and Dawson City and Whitehorse heritage advocates have contributed to the success of this book and ultimately the safeguarding of Tr’ochëk. While stories, oral histories, archival records, place names, and photographs were being collected, history was still being made. At the beginning of the project, researchers worked and collaborated with the Dawson Indian Band, and by its completion they were working in cooperation with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.Dänojà Zho Gift Shop sold the

last copy of Hammerstones in July 2013. Hammerstones: a history of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in is a popular souvenir, a study tool for teachers and students, and remains a valuable resource for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in staff

and citizens. Chief and Council and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Administration Department often make a gift of the Hammerstones book (as well as K’änächá: Finding Our Way Home book) to visiting dignitaries and special guests to the traditional territory. The second printing of Hammerstones: a history of

the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in will take place early in the new year. Many significant events and activities have happened in our community since 2003, and we are planning to highlight some of the milestones with the addition of a new chapter. One short chapter of approximately a dozen pages can scarcely contain the activities of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in in the last decade, but we hope to get a general awareness of the life and times into print. I imagine in ten years we will be revising and adding again. History is a living thing that changes and so history books must also change to remain relevant.The print run for the updated Hammerstones

book will be just over 2,500. Of course Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizens will have the first opportunity to purchase copies when they appear on the DZCC Gift Shop shelves this spring.Mӓhsi cho to Helene Dobrowolsky, Patricia

Halladay, Sue Parsons, the TH Heritage Department and the TH Communications Department for all their assistance. As always, we serve the community best when we all work together.


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Remembrance Day Book Reviewby Glenda BoltWith Remembrance Day

around the corner I decided to re-read my copy of Three Day Road, by Joseph Borden. I’m not usually a fan of war stories, but this book was

suggested to me by James McDonald who has shared many good books by First Nations or Metis authors over

the years. If you haven’t read Three Day Road, November is a perfect month to crack it open.The novel is set in 1919 in

the wilds of northern Ontario and the battlefields of France and Belgium. The story follows two young Cree men, Xavier and Elijah, who volunteer for military service, certain the Great War would be a good adventure, but over quickly. What they experienced was far from the adventure they imagined. Xavier and Elijah find themselves on the front lines as snipers, engulfed in the chaos of frenzied violence and human slaughter.The story is also about Niska, a

Cree medicine woman who has rejected European beliefs and culture and thrives in the bush, following traditional ways. Niska gets word that one of her last living relatives is coming back from the war, so she paddles a three-day journey to town to collect her nephew. Niska finds the war has sucked the soul from this young man. The butchery of combat and ghosts of war are now a part of his morphine-induced nightmare that is slowly killing him. As they travel back into the safety of the bush, Niska tells stories from traditional days past with the hope they will heal the broken man.


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make your own

Beaded Earrings

Instructor: Erika Scheffen Costs: $10. (for 2 classes) - plus your supplies

Location: Dänojà Zho People: 10 students max. open to everyone

When: November TBD Contact & Sign up: Glenda @ 993 6768

Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm Shopping: DZ Gift Shop will be open for supply sales 6pm November 12. – also try Dave's Trading Post

s i m p l e m a t e r i a l s – s i m p l e d e s i g n

l e a r n a s k i l l - m a ke a g i f t - b e h a p p y


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$35.00 for 4 sessions/products or $10.00 a single session/productPlease register to reserve a seat...

contact Babe Titus at 993-7168 or Glenda Bolt at 993-6768

Dänojà Zho in cooperation with TH Community Service Health

A new all natural creation each Sunday, a little something to keep or to give away...

Join us for a Series of Sunday’s

from 1pm to 4pm watch for posters


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Date Event ContactNovember DZCC Gift Shop open by appointment, Monday–Friday. Tish 993-6768Every Sun. in November

Wild and Rosie program with Fran at DZCC, 1–5 p.m. Fee to participate. Ten seats available per session.

Glenda 993-6768

November TBA Beaded Bookmarks with Angie Joseph Rear. Glenda 993-6768Nov. 6–9 KIAC Youth Art Enrichment program: theatre sports at DZCC.

Stop in and see what Yukon youth are up to.Glenda 993-6768

Nov. 11 Remembrance Day.Nov. 12 & 13 Beaded earring class with Erika at DZCC, 6:30–9:30 p.m. Glenda 993-6768December Holiday Shopping at DZCC, Tuesday–Friday, 12:30–3 p.m. For

shopping by appointment, call Tish.Tish 993-6768

Dec. 2–6 World Heritage workshop #2 and public presentation. Tentative dates; times to be announced.

Tish 993-6768

Dec. 19 DZCC Gift Shop closes for the season at 3:30 p.m. Tish 993-6768This winter First Trapper Camp. Date to be announced. Georgette 993-7153

Heritage events at a glance

NEW Dänojà Zho Gift Shop has a Christmas wish book.

Stop by, browse, and jot down your wish. Be sure to let your Santa know just where to shop!

beadwork by Marion Roberts OPEN 12:30-3:00pm Tuesday – Friday December 3-19.

world heritage dëbe sranän project update aka sheep month 2013 th heritage e-newslette… ·...

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