Chief Isaac of Hän, near Dawson City, Yukon
Han or Gwichʼin family outside home, Forty Mile City, Yukon, ca. 1899
Charlie Skookum, a Tagish medicine man

The Indigenous peoples of Yukon are ethnic groups who, prior to European contact, occupied the former countries now collectively known as Yukon. While most First Nations in the Canadian territory are a part of the wider Dene Nation, there are Tlingit and Métis nations that blend into the wider spectrum of indigeneity across Canada. Traditionally hunter-gatherers, indigenous peoples and their associated nations retain close connections to the land, the rivers and the seasons of their respective countries or homelands. Their histories are recorded and passed down the generations through oral traditions. European contact and invasion brought many changes to the native cultures of Yukon including land loss and non-traditional governance and education. However, indigenous people in Yukon continue to foster their connections with the land in seasonal wage labour such as fishing and trapping. Today, indigenous groups aim to maintain and develop indigenous languages, traditional or culturally-appropriate forms of education, cultures, spiritualities and indigenous rights.

Population

The population of indigenous people of the Yukon prior to arrival of Europeans is uncertain. The number at the beginning of the 19th century most likely lies between 7,000 and 9,000 or more.[1][2][3] By 1830, there were approximately 4,700 indigenous people living in Yukon.[3]

Nations

Inhabited by six principal tribes: the Gwichʼin, the Hän, the Kaska Dena, the Tagish, the Northern and Southern Tutchone, and the Tlingit (Teslin),[4]: 5  there are also Métis, though unrecognized politically, and Inuvialuit, who, through the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, maintain connections to certain territories of Yukon.[5]

The Gwichʼin homeland encompasses the basins of the Peel River and the Porcupine River.[6] Relatives of the Gwichʼin, the Hän, live at the middle reach of the Yukon River at the border with Alaska. The Northern Tutchone inhabit central Yukon in the basins of the Pelly River and Stewart River. In a basin of the Liard River in the southeast live the Kaska Dena, and, in the south, near lakes in the upper course of the Yukon River live the Tagish, who are related to the Kaska Dena. In the southwest are the Southern Tutchone and, in the river heads of the White River, is the White River First Nation, an Upper Tanana speaking peoples.[7]

In the south, along the Teslin River, are continental Tlingit (Teslin), whose language, together with the Athabaskan languages, is included in the Na-Dene language family.[7]

Language

Nlan, a Southern Tutchone word, added to stop signs in the McIntyre subdivision of Whitehorse. It means, “stop that now,” as there is no exact translation. This initiative is to promote the Southern Tutchone language.

The pre-contact peoples of Yukon spoke dialects within the Athabaskan languages, which are still spoken to this day. The Athabaskan languages themselves are a subset of the Na-Dene language family. The Cree Syllabary that was developed by the Methodist missionary, James Evans, was adapted for use in the Yukon. Missionaries of many Christian denominations wrote dictionaries, grammars and religious texts in the indigenous languages, often with the assistance of translators.[8]

Traditions

The Indigenous peoples of the Yukon have a land based oral tradition.[9] The people were and, in many cases, still are hunters and gatherers, skilled in following the season changes in food sources. Fishing and trapping in the valleys remain fruitful, as specific prey can be followed to higher areas.[4]: 5 

Knowledge about many aspects of pre contact tradition such as animal behaviour, land use, subsistence, textiles, language and spirituality comes from the oral history of indigenous people and from the work of scientists such as archeologists and anthropologists.[10]

European contact

Southern Tutchone board game

Contact between the indigenous peoples of the Yukon and European fur traders began in the 1840s. The Hudson's Bay Company entered the area of the Yukon around that time.[4]: 3 

Through the 1800s, indigenous people, such as the Hän, along the Alaska-Yukon border trapped for furs to trade for European manufactured items.[11]

The Klondike Gold Rush of 1896 was a seminal moment in post contact history of the indigenous people of the Yukon.[4]: 3 [11] Not only did the influx of Europeans bring new diseases, missionary movements and European consumer items but also the indigenous peoples found a role as guides, packers and chandlers for prospectors.[12]

In 1898, the increased European population led to formalisation of governance in the formation of Yukon.

Indigenous land claims

In a step towards Aboriginal title, the Yukon Indian Advancement Association was formed in the late 1960s. In 1970, the Yukon Native Brotherhood was founded, commencing a land claims movement.[13][14] In 1973, the Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow petition was presented by Elijah Smith to the prime minister Pierre Trudeau.[15]

In 1990, the Yukon Final Umbrella Agreement was completed.[16][17]

Twenty-first century

At the 2016 Canadian census, there were 8,195 indigenous people. Of those people who gave a response indicating that they were of one indigenous group, 6,685 were First Nations, 1,015 were Métis and 230 were Inuit. A further 160 gave multiple indigenous responses with another 105 indicating some other indigenous background.[18] In the 2012 Youth identities, localities, and visual material Culture, K. Eglinton said only twelve percent were fluent in the language of their nation.[19] Fourteen First Nations represented eight language groups.[20] In 1991, an ongoing program for preservation of these languages was begun in Voices of the Talking Circle, the proceedings of the Yukon Aboriginal Language Services which emphasised that the people are the proper stewards of their languages and maintaining a critical mass of fluent speakers is essential.[21]

First Nations

Tr'ochëk above Dawson City

This is a list of the fourteen First Nations of indigenous people of Yukon.[22] Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) lists the Aishihik and Champagne as separate First Nations in addition to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.[23]

Of these, all but Liard River First Nation, Ross River Dena Council, and White River First Nation have signed Final Agreements and are now self-governing.[24]

In addition the Government of Yukon and INAC list the following groups as having a presence in Yukon.[22][25]

Languages

According to Yukon Government the following indigenous languages are spoken in the territory.[22] However, unlike the other two territories in Northern Canada, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, there are no Canadian indigenous languages that have official status.[27][28][29]

Settlements

First Nations peoples live throughout Yukon. Some places that are primarily First Nations include:

Reserves

There are 12 Indian reserves in Yukon.

Name as used by
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada		 First Nation(s) Ethnic/national
group		 Tribal
council		 Treaty Area Population[30] Notes
ha acre 2016 2011  %
difference
Carcross 4[31]Carcross/TagishTlingit / Tagish—n/a64.8 160.13553-34.0%Listed by Statistics Canada as self-government
Haines Junction[32]Aishihik / Champagne and AishihikSouthern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a[lower-alpha 1][23][33][34]
Lake Laberge 1[35]Ta'an Kwach'anSouthern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a129.6 320.2252025.0%Listed by Statistics Canada as self-government
Mayo 6[36]First Nation of Nacho Nyak DunNorthern Tutchone—n/a184.5 455.9
Mcquesten 3[37]First Nation of Nacho Nyak DunNorthern Tutchone—n/a129.6 320.2
Moosehide Creek 2[38]Tr'ondëk Hwëch'inHän—n/a64.1 158.400Listed by Statistics Canada as self-government
Moosehide Creek 2b[39]Tr'ondëk Hwëch'inHän—n/a346.8 857.0
Nisutlin 14[40]Teslin Tlingit CouncilTlingit—n/a83.9 207.3
Nisutlin Bay 15[41]Teslin Tlingit CouncilTlingit—n/a50.0 123.6
Selkirk 7[42]SelkirkNorthern Tutchone—n/a64.7 159.9
Teslin Post 13[43]Teslin Tlingit CouncilTlingit—n/a27.6 68.21391380.7%Listed by Statistics Canada as self-government
Whitehorse 8[44]Kwanlin Dun First NationTlingit / Tagish / Southern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a108.4 267.9
  1. ↑ INAC lists the Aishihik and Champagne as separate First Nations in addition to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

Indian settlements

Places listed as Indian settlements include:

Name as used by
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada		 First Nation(s) Ethnic/national group Tribal council Treaty Area Population[45] Notes
Champagne Landing 10[46]Champagne / Champagne and AishihikSouthern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a2025-20.0%[lower-alpha 1][23][33][34] Indian settlement
Kloo Lake Settlement[47]Aishihik / Champagne and AishihikSouthern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a00[lower-alpha 1][23][33][34] Indian settlement
Klukshu River Settlement[48]Champagne / Champagne and AishihikSouthern TutchoneSouthern Tutchone Tribal Counciln/a00[lower-alpha 1][23][33][34] Indian settlement
Two and One-Half Mile Village[49]Liard River First NationKaska DenaKaska Tribal Counciln/aPopulation included with Two Mile Village Indian settlement
Two Mile Village[49]Liard River First NationKaska DenaKaska Tribal Counciln/a188203-7.4Indian settlement
  1. 1 2 3 INAC lists the Aishihik and Champagne as separate First Nations in addition to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

Historic sites and parks

Historic First Nations sites include Fort Reliance, Forty Mile, Klukshu, Little Salmon, Moosehide, Takhini Hot Springs.

Kluane National Park and Reserve lies in Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Kluane First Nation lands and is managed by them and Parks Canada with advice from the Kluane National Park Management Board.[50]

Vuntut National Park was established in 1995 as part of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement. It is located in northern Yukon and lies adjacent to Ivvavik National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The park also includes part of the Old Crow Flats.[51]

Tr'ochëk is a historical Hän fishing site. Chief Isaac, (pictured top right) of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation had a camp here during the Klondike Gold Rush. It is located at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers.[52]

Other territorial parks that reflect First Nations heritage are:

Name Associated First Nations Location Reference
Agay Mene Territorial Park (proposed)Carcross/Tagish First NationAtlin Road[53]
Asi Keyi Territorial Park (proposed)Kluane First Nation / White River First NationDonjek River / Kluane Range[54]
Ch’ihilii Chìk Habitat Protection AreaVuntut Gwitchin First NationBetween Old Crow and Fort McPherson[55]
Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection AreaSelkirk First Nation / First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak DunBetween the Pelly and Stewart Rivers[56]
Devil's Elbow and Big Island Habitat Protection AreasFirst Nation of Na-Cho Nyak DunStewart River near Mayo[57]
Dàadzàii Vàn Territorial Park (proposed)Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation / Tetlit Gwich'in First NationSummit Lake / Bell River[58]
Kusawa Territorial ParkCarcross/Tagish First Nation / Champagne and Aishihik First Nations / Kwanlin Dün First NationKusawa Lake

[59]

Łútsäw Wetland Habitat Protection AreaSelkirk First Nation8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of Pelly Crossing[60]
Mandanna LakeLittle Salmon/Carmacks First NationLittle Salmon[61]
Ni'iinlii'njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial ParkVuntut Gwitchin First NationBetween Dawson City and Old Crow[62]
Nuna K’óhonete Yédäk Tah’é (Horseshoe Slough) Habitat Protection AreaFirst Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun70 km (43 mi) upstream of Mayo[63]
Pickhandle Lakes Habitat Protection AreaKluane First Nation / White River First NationShakwak Trench, between Burwash Landing and Beaver Creek[64]
Ta'tla Mun Special Management AreaSelkirk First Nation40 km (25 mi) southeast of Pelly Crossing[65]
Tagish River Habitat Protection AreaCarcross/Tagish First NationBetween Marsh Lake and Tagish Lake[66]
Tombstone Territorial ParkTr'ondëk Hwëch'in First NationKilometre 71.5 on the Dempster Highway[67]
Tsâwnjik Chu (Nordenskiold) Habitat Protection AreaLittle Salmon/Carmacks First NationNordenskiold River south of Carmacks[68]
Van Tat K’atr’anahtii (Old Crow Flats) Special Management AreaVuntut Gwitchin First NationOld Crow Flats[69]

Inuvialuit

Although the Inuvialuit no longer reside in Yukon they did traditionally. Inuit and their ancestors lived on Herschel Island and the coast of the Arctic Ocean. In 1984 they signed the Inuvialuit Final Agreement with the Government of Canada and this led to the creation of two parks.

Herschel Island, in the Beaufort Sea, was originally occupied by the Thule people, ancestors of the Inuvialuit, it is part of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and home to Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park.[5][70][71]

Ivvavik National Park, also an important area to First Nations, was created as part of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The park was established in response to oil exploration in the Beaufort and the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.[72]

References

  1. ↑ First Nations History Canadian Mysteries website.
  2. ↑ Coates K. and Morrison W. R. Land of the midnight sun: a history of the Yukon. McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal 2005 volume 2 p362.
  3. 1 2 Coates K. Canada's colonies: a history of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. James Lorimer & Company 1985 volume 2 p362.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Coates K. S. Best Left as Indians: Native-white Relations in the Yukon Territory, 1840-1973. McGill-Queen Press 1993 p2. ISBN 9780773511002. Accessed at Google Books 3 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 Map of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
  6. ↑ Yukon The Canadian Encyclopaedia.
  7. 1 2 Wurm S. A., Mühlhäusler P. Tryon, D. T. Trends in Linguistics in Atlas of languages of intercultural communication in the Pacific, Asia, and the Americas. Walter de Gruyter, New York, 1996 volume 13.
  8. ↑ Cox J. H. and Justice D. H. The Oxford Handbook of Indigenous American Literature Oxford University Press 2014 p563 ISBN 0199914044, 9780199914043. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Kammen C. and Wilson A. H. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Local History Second Edition, American Association for State and Local History, AltaMira Press 2012 p587 ISBN 0759120501, 9780759120501.
  10. ↑ Cruikshank J. Social Life of Stories: Narrative and Knowledge in the Yukon Territory UBC Press, 2000 p48. ISBN 0774806494, 9780774806497. Accessed via Google Books 3 July 2016.
  11. 1 2 Dana L. P. International handbook of research on indigenous Entrepreneurship Edward Elgar publishing 2007 p313 ISBN 1781952647, 978178195264. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  12. ↑ Llewellyn K. R. et al The Canadian oral history Reader McGill-Queen's Press 2015 p 185. ISBN 0773583637, 9780773583634. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  13. ↑ Alia V. Un/Covering the North: News, Media, and Aboriginal People UBC Press 2011 p125. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  14. ↑ Ray A. J. Aboriginal rights claims and the making and remaking of History McGill-Queen's Press 2016. ISBN 9780773547421. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  15. ↑ History of Yukon First Nations People Yukon First Nations Travel Adventures website. Accessed 3 July 2016.
  16. ↑ Agreements with First Nations Government of Yukon
  17. ↑ Umbrella Final Agreement Council of Yukon First Nations
  18. ↑ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Yukon [Territory] and Canada [Country]". August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  19. ↑ Eglinton K. Youth identities, localities, and visual material Culture Springer Science & Business Media, 2012 p58 ISBN 9400748574, 9789400748576. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  20. ↑ Nuttall M. Encyclopaedia of the Arctic Routledge 2012 p. 2222 ISBN 978-1136786808. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Castallano M. B. et al (ed.) Aboriginal education: fulfilling the Promise UBC Press 2013 p 41. Accessed at Google books 3 July 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 Find out about Yukon First Nations
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 First Nation details for the Aishihik First Nations at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  24. ↑ Joe-Strack, Jocelyn; Cameron, Kirk. "Self-Governing First Nations in Yukon". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  25. ↑ First Nation details for the Dease River First Nations at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021. , First Nation details for the Taku River Tlingit First Nations at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  26. ↑ Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements
  27. ↑ "The Legal Context of Canada's Official Languages". University of Ottawa. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  28. ↑ Your Linguistic Rights at the Office of the Language Commissioner of Nunavut
  29. ↑ "Official Languages Act (Northwest Territories" (PDF). 1998. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data, Yukon". February 7, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  31. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Carcross 4 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  32. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Haines Junction Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  33. 1 2 3 4 First Nation details for the Champagne First Nations at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  34. 1 2 3 4 First Nation details for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  35. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Lake Laberge 1 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  36. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Mayo 6 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  37. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Mcquesten 3 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  38. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Moosehide Creek 2 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  39. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Moosehide Creek 2b Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  40. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Nisutlin 14 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  41. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Nisutlin Bay 15 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  42. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Selkirk 7 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  43. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Teslin Post 13 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  44. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Whitehorse 8 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data, Alberta". February 7, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  46. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Champagne Landing 10 Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  47. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Kloo Lake Settlement Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  48. ↑ Reserve, settlement or village details for Klukshu River Settlement Reserve at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved .
  49. 1 2 https://yukon.ca/sites/yukon.ca/files/ybs/ybs-forms/fin-liard-first-nation-census-2006.pdf First Nation Community Profiles - Liard First Nation - Communities of Watson Lake & Upper Liard]
  50. ↑ Kluane National Park Management Board
  51. ↑ Vuntut National Park
  52. ↑ Tr'ochëk. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  53. ↑ Agay Mene Territorial Park
  54. ↑ Asi Keyi Territorial Park
  55. ↑ Ch’ihilii Chìk Habitat Protection Area
  56. ↑ Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area
  57. ↑ Devil's Elbow and Big Island Habitat Protection Areas
  58. ↑ Dàadzàii Vàn Territorial Park
  59. ↑ Kusawa Territorial Park
  60. ↑ Łútsäw Wetland Habitat Protection Area
  61. ↑ Mandanna Lake
  62. ↑ Ni'iinlii'njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park
  63. ↑ Nuna K’óhonete Yédäk Tah’é (Horseshoe Slough) Habitat Protection Area
  64. ↑ Pickhandle Lakes Habitat Protection Area
  65. ↑ Ta'tla Mun Special Management Area
  66. ↑ Tagish River Habitat Protection Area
  67. ↑ Tombstone Territorial Park
  68. ↑ Tsâwnjik Chu (Nordenskiold) Habitat Protection Area
  69. ↑ Van Tat K’atr’anahtii (Old Crow Flats) Special Management Area
  70. ↑ Analysis of midden material from a Thule Eskimo dwelling site on the shore of Herschel Island
  71. ↑ Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park
  72. ↑ Park Establishment
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