Heritage Yukon

Spring/Summer 2019 Newsletter

JJ, Dustyn, and Joshua Van Bibber present at the 2018 Annual Yukon Heritage Awards ceremony. Credit: Tony Gonda

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YHMA NEWS & EVENTS From the Desk of the Executive Director | Lianne Maitland

As we embark on a new held a special event on northern mapping in anticipation fiscal year, it is rewarding to of upcoming 150th anniversary of the Kohklux Map—both look back at what we have of which will feed into programming for 2019-20. See accomplished over the last page 3 for more details. year (or more specifically in the case of this newsletter, In October, we once again held the Yukon Heritage the last six months), and Symposium, while in February we held the Yukon also an inspiration for the Heritage Awards ceremony. Both events highlighted new year. It can be difficult some of the amazing and inspiring work that Yukoners sometimes to step back are doing in heritage. You can learn more about them on from dealing with the pages 2 and 4 respectively. details to see the full scope Credit: Emma Cumming of all that we do, both as an In the final pages of this newsletter, you can find organization and as a contributions from community members that demonstrate community. This newsletter is great opportunity to do so. that one can engage with Yukon heritage, both cultural and natural, in a variety of ways. Inspiration again! In September, YHMA once again sat on the Culture Days steering committee, and planned and organized special I hope that by reading this newsletter you will also find Culture Days activities. In this case, the inspiration some inspiration. provided for 2019-20 is by design: we debuted a new activity, our Heritage Highlights Scavenger Hunt, and

Yukon Heritage Symposium

With topics ranging from theories of lifelong learning to from Yukon history into the museum’s existing dioramas, creative uses of museum dioramas, as well as a maximising their potential as vehicles for engagement, workshop in which participants learned how to draw storytelling, and learning. fireweed, the 2018 Yukon Heritage Symposium, “Heritage and lifelong learning,” made for a thought- Two representatives from Association franco-yukonnaise provoking day. Approximately 25 Yukon heritage (AFY) discussed recent initiatives from the organization. professionals came together at the Yukon Transportation Audrey Percheron presented on the Stitches in Time Museum on October 24 to learn, connect, and share. project, which you can learn more about on page 5. Édith Belanger, meanwhile, shared AFY’s experience creating Alex Somerville of the Museum opened the six free, self-guided tours of several Yukon communities day with a brief look at Soviet philosopher Lev Vygotsky’s using the BaladoDécouverte/BaladoDiscovery app. theories of lifelong learning and how they can be The two final presenters, Heather Steinhagen and Murray applied in heritage. It Lundberg, provided perspectives on the independent provided an interesting creation of resources on heritage. Heather discussed the lens through which to Indigenize Wikipedia project, an ongoing initiative to consider the rest of the expand Yukon content on this peer-sourced, day’s presentations. online encyclopedia. Murray gave an overview of his two decades of experimenting with different ways to engage Kaitlin Normandin, then of people in Yukon history, many of which you can find the Old Log Church described on page 4. Museum (OLCM), shared the OLCM’s experience of The day finished with a workshop by Rhoda Merkel that creating lesson plans for focused on how to create fun, educational programs with the new Yukon curriculum, a focus on First Nation ways of doing and knowing. A while Janna Swales of the highlight was Rhoda’s discussion of the poster she Yukon Transportation created as Yukon Education’s communication tool to Museum (YTM) discussed engage with Yukon’s new curriculum—a useful tool for YTM’s new initiative to heritage professionals as well. Titanic survivor Paul Meyers enters incorporate “miniature King’s Café to apply for a job in one Thank you to everyone who came out to the Symposium of YTM’s miniature exhibits. Credit: exhibits” that tell stories Yukon Transportation Museum and made it a richer experience for all!

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YHMA NEWS & EVENTS Culture Days 2018

If you were in downtown over the Culture included geographical features, relationships between Days weekend (September 28-30), you may have seen Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, toponomy, some folks pouring over interpretive signs, scrutinizing linguistics, and others. Speakers included Ta’an sculptures, and seeking out key locations as part of our Kwäch’än elder Frances Woolsey, Teslin Tlinglit elder Heritage Highlights Scavenger Hunt. This free activity Bessie Cooley, historian Linda Johnson, linguist Doug encouraged participants to explore downtown Whitehorse Hitch, archaeologist Anastasia Wiley of Klukwan, Tlingit as they sought out the answers to various trivia questions linguist Marsha Hotch of Klukwan, and Sheila Greer, about Yukon heritage. Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Heritage Manager. In addition, René Rivard gave an impromptu The idea for the presentation about his efforts to map the Dead Horse scavenger hunt Gulch area of the White Pass Trail. came from the desire to create Two displays, an activity that one in the would be reading room available and one in the throughout the meeting room, weekend and rounded out would be the event. The accessible to Yukon both individuals Archives laid A scavenger hunt participant searches for an and groups. The out a variety of answer. Credit: Anonymous creation of the maps as well scavenger hunt as a detailed fell to our 2018 summer student, Emma Cumming, with genealogical the assistance of board member Corin Noble. Emma and chart created It was a tight squeeze during the presentations! Corin did a fantastic job of coming up with questions that by Bessie Credit: Linda Johnson would prompt people to think about the things they see all Cooley and her husband. The genealogical chart shows the time a different way. We were thrilled when many many connections between the First Nation communities participants reported that they had teamed up with family that used the trading route recorded on the Kohklux Map. or friends to complete the scavenger hunt, and many also Linda Johnson provided reproductions of additional maps commented that they were pleased to have learned for a display, including two versions of the Kohklux Map, something new. We look forward to reprising our the Kandik Map, George Davidson maps (based on the scavenger hunt for 2019, and hopefully beyond! Kohklux Map), and Russian maps of Alaska/Yukon.

Special thanks go to the Historic Sites Unit, Government All in all, this of Yukon; Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre; Office of the event exceeded Commissioner of Yukon; Old Log Church Museum; Parks our Canada; Riverside Grocery; and Yukon Arts Centre for expectations. supporting the scavenger hunt. We are carrying the energy it In addition to the scavenger hunt, we also hosted a generated special event, funded by Culture Quest, in anticipation of forward into the 150th anniversary of the Kohklux Map in August 2019. 2019 as we Exploring Early Mapping in the North took place on work with a September 29 at the Yukon Archives. This event brought number of together Indigenous speakers, heritage professionals, partners in linguists, and about 40 members of the public for a Yukon and discussion on early Indigenous and non-Indigenous Alaska to plan a Pouring over the genealogical chart. Credit: Linda mapping in the north: how and why maps were created, Johnson conference what they represent, how they were used, and why and around the how they are important today, to both Indigenous and Kohklux Map, its legacy, and related topics for October non-Indigenous communities. 25-27 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. The conference will be part of a larger celebration around the The Kohklux, Kandik, and derivative maps were the 150th anniversary of the map. We are currently accepting starting point for the conversation. Because of the wide- presentation proposals until April 30. For details, visit reaching significance of these maps, topics covered http://tinyurl.com/y3t2dnkn.

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YHMA NEWS & EVENTS 2018 Yukon Heritage Awards

Over 30 guests joined us on February 18, 2019 at the made his photographs available through several Yukon Archives to celebrate the recipients of the 2018 donations to the Yukon Archives. His work continues to Yukon Heritage Awards and the beginning of national preserve and promote Yukon heritage for the enjoyment Heritage Week. In honour of the Heritage Week theme, of all. Heritage: The Tie That Binds, JJ, Dustyn, and Joshua Van Bibber gave a special presentation on their great Gordon Mervin Toole (Posthumous History Maker grandfather, JJ Van Bibber. They used stories and Award): Gordon Mervin Toole was a long-time Yukoner photos to show how JJ’s legacy has created a sense of who helped make the Yukon what it is today through his belonging and understanding for his family, and how he outstanding contributions to meteorology, aviation, exemplified the Heritage Week theme. wilderness tourism, big game outfitting, trapping, and farming. Gordon became a weather observation JJ Van Bibber specialist with the Canadian Department of Transport and (1920-2012) was a was posted to Snag, Yukon in 1943. There, he was prominent First responsible for delivering coded weather information to Nations hunter, pilots, and after WWII became world-famous for trapper, recording the lowest official temperature ever measured photographer, and in North America, -81.4˚F (-63˚C), on February 3, 1947. storyteller. JJ’s Later, Gordon became a founding partner and pilot for many photographs the Watson Lake Flying Service; the owner and operator and stories inspired of Thunderbird Fishing camp, then the only registered fly- his family to fishing camp in the Yukon; a big game outfitter for Yukon complete three Hunting Unlimited; the owner/operator of White River and projects that honour Ridge Lake Traplines near Watson Lake; and Justice of his legacy and that the Peace and Coroner for Watson Lake. He also started of his family: the a farm just outside Watson Lake in 1965, which produced book I was born vegetables and eggs for nearby communities for nearly under a spruce tree three decades. While he passed away on November 9, (2012), the film 2018, Gordon’s legacy as a History Maker remains. Pictures Don’t Lie (2016) by Lulu Bruce Barrett (Helen Couch Volunteer of the Year Keating of Red Award): Bruce Barrett has dedicated many years of his JJ, Dustyn, and Joshua Van Bibber. Credit: Tony Gonda Snapper Films, and life to the heritage community in Yukon, both throughout the photograph his career, including three decades as Historic Sites exhibit Growing Up with the Van Bibbers (2018) at the Project Officer with the Government of Yukon, and by Hougen Heritage Gallery in Arts Underground. It was a graciously and generously giving of his time in a pleasure to hear these three young men speak and volunteer capacity, whether as a photographer, advocate, continue their great grandfather’s legacy. or even actor. He has acted as the unofficially official photographer for YHMA, chronicling many of the Congratulations to all the award winners! organization’s special events over the years, in particular the Yukon/Stikine Regional Heritage Fair, for which he Murray Lundberg (Annual Heritage Award): Murray has also acted as a judge and Head Judge. In addition, Lundberg has traveled far and wide throughout the Bruce spent time volunteering with ICOMOS territory, always with camera in hand, visiting the sites of (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Canada, many historical features, taking pictures, and sharing northern perspectives with the national heritage documenting them, then sharing the information with the community. Bruce has also been an avid participant in public through a variety of resources. Murray is the the Yukon music and theatrical scenes, and in 2017 author of three books featuring Yukon history; creator of loaned his acting talents to an interactive performance the ExploreNorth website, launched in 1997 and now fundraiser for the Old Log Church Museum. He is a consisting of almost 7,000 pages of information and more constant presence at many events around the territory, than 40,000 files on Yukon and Alaska History that are donating his time as a photographer to document Yukon regularly used by countless researchers and interested arts, culture, and recreation, creating valuable records for people; and founder of the immensely popular Yukon the future. He continues to volunteer for a variety of History and Abandoned Places Facebook group. A organizations. dynamic forum for people interested in Yukon history to exchange information and share experiences, this Association franco-yukonnaise (Innovation, Education, Facebook group saw dramatic growth in 2018, closing and Community Engagement Award): With its innovative the year with over 10,000 members. Murray has also project De fil en histoires: les personnages d’un

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YHMA NEWS & EVENTS | COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Heritage Awards cont’d

territoire/Stitches in museum in 1962. In 2014, the Old Log Church and Time: Yukon History Rectory were designated a Yukon Historic Site and Makers, Association municipal historic site. YCHS was formed in 1982 to franco-yukonnaise restore and preserve the buildings and to operate the Old (AFY) has paid tribute Log Church Museum. They have shown great to the Francophones stewardship of the buildings through respectful use, care, who helped shape the and maintenance, and through various conservation Yukon, reconnecting projects. In 2018, work focused on the Rectory; participants and the upgrading the heating system and replacing the roofs public with both the cedar shingles. The YCHS undertook a similar re-roofing territory’s Francophone project in 2006 for the Old Log Church. Work completed history and the by the YCHS has followed the Standards and Guidelines traditional craft of for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and will dollmaking. Led by ensure that the historic value and architectural integrity of local artist Cécile the Old Log Church and Rectory are preserved. This Girard, 19 community award is sponsored by the Department of Tourism and members, many of Culture, Government of Yukon. Jeanne Beaudoin (AFY) poses with her whom were first-time doll counterpart. Credit: Tony Gonda dollmakers, created a total of 21 handcrafted dolls representing real French-speaking Yukoners, past and present. The dolls, the stories of those they represent, and the stories of their creation were then highlighted through three bilingual exhibitions in Dawson City, Haines Junction, and Whitehorse, each of which was accompanied by a different cultural experience. A bilingual website, video, and printed catalogue continue to share these stories with the public. AFY is currently working to adapt the project for use in schools. De fil en histoires highlights the diversity of Yukon’s history and culture, and demonstrates AFY’s commitment to raising awareness about Yukon’s Francophone heritage.

Yukon Church Heritage Society (Heritage Conservation Project of the Year Award): This award was presented to the YCHS for the conservation of the Old Log Church and Rectory in Whitehorse. Constructed in 1900 and 1901 respectively, these buildings are among the oldest in The 2018 Yukon Heritage Award recipients (L-R): Murra Lundberg, Whitehorse and are landmarks in the community. The Jeanne Beaudoin for AFY, Bruce Barrett, Jaime Toole for Gordon Old Log Church served as a place of worship in Toole, and Len Beecroft and Marjorie Copp for Yukon Church Heritage Whitehorse for 60 years before being repurposed as a Society. Credit: Tony Gonda

Freeze Up On the Yukon River | David Neufeld

A couple of years ago—when it used to be cold in White's enthusiastic engagement of the world he found winter—I monitored the freezing up of the Takhini River. around him. His work is one if the gems of the early 18th Three or four times a week, I hiked both sides of the century Enlightenment. You can find the article on the Takhini-Yukon River confluence noting how it froze. I was Network in Canadian History & Environment (NICHE) inspired by Gilbert White, a Church Parson in the County website at http://tinyurl.com/y4zruthk. of Southampton in southern England in the mid-18th century. White spent a great deal of time studying the David Neufeld is an environmental historian in the Yukon. natural world of his parish. He was among the first He studies the intersection of knowledge and practice in European naturalists, corresponding with other like- both Western settler approaches to Canada's North and minded enthusiasts seeking to define the order of nature. Yukon First Nations' ways of life in their sub-arctic boreal The short illustrated article I wrote attempts to replicate homelands.

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COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Sam Steele: A Biography | Book Review by Michael Gates

Sam Steele: A seemed disappointed by missed opportunities and Biography frustrated ambitions throughout his career. By Rod Macleod University of Alberta Of interest to Yukon readers would be the section of the Press, Edmonton, 2018 book that details his time in the Yukon, which amounts to only 28 pages of text. Steele was at first dispatched to The book Sam Steele: A take control of the passes into the Yukon, Bennett, Biography has recently Tagish Post, and the rapids at Whitehorse. Later he was arrived on my desk from redeployed to Dawson City where he maintained a brutal the University of Alberta work schedule while the gold rush was at its peak. Many Press. Written by Rod times, Steele made up the rules as he went along, rules Macleod, Professor that were pragmatic and undoubtedly saved many lives. Emeritus of History and When he left the Yukon in the late summer of 1899, he Classics at the University was given a hero’s send-off by the citizens of Dawson. of Alberta, it is an account of one of What makes this account unique is that author Macleod Canada’s most iconic fills his narrative with passages from Steele’s letters to figures, and certainly one his wife, Elizabeth, who remained outside during this of the key figures during period. These letters and papers, which have only the . recently become accessible to the public, provide greater Sam Steele was on the scene during the height of the insight to Steele’s innermost thoughts. Having seen the gold rush from 1898 to 1899. He has written his contents of the extensive correspondence between Sam autobiography, and others have written about him, but and Elizabeth, I would say that the importance of the here we have a more rounded and complete picture of Steele Papers to understanding the man and his time in the man known as “The Lion of the North.” the Klondike have yet to be fully revealed.

Sam Steele’s career spans a crucial period of the nation The Sam Steele papers were held by his descendants, in its infancy. In 1870, he was a member of the Red River until they came up for sale a few years ago. Antiquarian Expedition to quell the . He was one book dealer Cameron Treleaven of Calgary brought them of the first to join the newly formed North West Mounted to the attention of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Police in 1873. Three years later, he arranged the who, in a very short time raised the $1.8 million negotiations for Treaties number six and seven. When necessary to purchase the collection and bring it back to the railroad was being constructed, he was there to Canada in 2008. maintain law and order. In addition to uniforms, medals and other military In 1885, Steele commanded a scouting contingent during paraphernalia belonging to Sam Steele, the collection the Riel Rebellion. Two years after that, he was contains “thousands of pages of his letters, manuscript dispatched to southeast British Columbia to defuse an memoirs, pocket-diaries, journals, notebooks staff diaries, explosive situation that had developed there. standing order books, official reports, scrapbooks, printed Subsequently, he commanded Fort Macleod, the largest papers and photographs that document his career as a Mounted Police Post outside of headquarters, for ten militiaman, Mounted Policeman and soldier.” years. Readers can, if they are interested, check the collection In 1898, he was assigned to the Yukon in charge of the out online, where a sampling of documents have been Mounted Police force overseeing the Klondike gold rush posted at https://steele.library.ualberta.ca/explore. One and patrolling the trails and waterways to Dawson City document that piqued my interest is a handwritten and the goldfields. Following his meritorious service in undercover report, detailing the shifty criminal element in northern Canada, he was sent to South Africa as second Dawson, and their professions, often identifying them as in command of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, to fight former members of Soapy Smith’s gang as well. in the Boer War. I had the privilege, on two occasions, of visiting the Peel When Canada entered the First World War in 1914, Library at U of A and examining the papers that relate Steele served overseas as a major–general, and was specifically to the time that Steele spent in the Yukon. given a knighthood in January, 1918. In all – a very Steele’s handwriting is a challenge to read. I spent the distinguished career in the service of the young country better part of a day, with the help of two library staff, of Canada. Yet despite his accomplishments, Steele deciphering his scrawl to transcribe the content of a

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COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS From the Desk of the Executive Director | Lianne Maitland single letter that Steele had written to his wife, Marie contribution to the origins of the Yukon Territory, and Elizabeth. But it was worth it. These letters provide more broadly to Canada as a whole. There is certainly remarkable new insights into the man. Steele was enough material here to write a book about Steele’s time obviously devoted to his wife during his long sojourn in in the Klondike gold rush. the Yukon, embellishing his letters with such overstated salutations as “My sweet pet, my dearest, my darling true Sam Steele: A Biography is 407 pages in length, with tender and faithful wife…” nearly 40 pages of endnotes (for those who want to pursue his history further), as well as a lengthy Steele revealed many of his innermost thoughts to his bibliography and a detailed index. Included are 25 wife, comments which have appeared nowhere else. For photos, mostly of Steele in uniform at various stages of example, September 12, 1898: “I am disappointed at the his career. Five maps help to place Steele in context latter (Commissioner Walsh). Her Majesty’s during his various exploits. The map of the Yukon has an representative and staff in a dance hall box or theatre insert showing Dawson City. It places the courthouse in with common prostitutes…” the wrong location for the period when Steele was in Dawson City, but that is a minor oversight in the larger This book is a detailed treatment of the entire life of Sam story. Steele, informed and enhanced by new information held within the Steele collection. The breadth of his Michael Gates is a Yukon historian and sometimes accomplishments encompass the opening of the west adventurer based in Whitehorse. His book, From the and north as Canada grew into nationhood after Klondike to Berlin, was shortlisted for a national book confederation. There is much to explore, and much more award. You can contact him at to be written about this remarkable man and his [email protected].

The Yukon | Terry Hynes

So you’re off to the Yukon my noble friend. The merchant, the banker, the gamblin’ man, Do you seek the elusive gold, and surely the dance-hall queen, or are you after adventure and fame pursued these men as they all headed north, like those stalwart men of old? for each had their fortunes to glean.

Many have sought to tame this land And fortunes were found by the pan full and many have died in vain. by those who were lucky at first. Others have wasted their lives in muck, While others were lost in the hardships, yet some have found riches and fame. just wasting away with their thirst.

It’s a land that will grip you forever The courage they brought still remains here, that will hound you like an old curse. their grit, and their dreams, and their fight. Like a mistress you want and desire It’s part of the long summer days here, that you’re craving for better or worse. it’s part of the deep winters night.

But it’s not just the land that will hold you. It seeps in your blood with the water, Please listen to what I will say. envelops your soul with the air, It’s the many that came here before you it alters your mind with it’s passion, that will tempt you forever to stay. it changes how you really care.

Brave souls that abandoned their comforts This Yukon is more than a place name, left all their possessions behind, it’s somewhat a state of your mind. deserted their families and loved ones With endless long rivers and valleys to seek what they hoped they would find. and freedoms and peace you can find.

It wasn’t just gold that would bring them. So come to the Yukon my valiant friend For certain the gold played a role. there’s gold still here in the creek. For some it was more the adventure And if you just listen so closely, that whetted a need in their soul. you may hear the old-timers speak.

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Are you a heritage sector worker looking to improve your skills?

The Yukon Heritage Training Fund provides support for training and professional development opportunities for the Yukon heritage sector. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis.

Intake deadlines are October 15, January 15, April 15, and July 15.

Visit heritageyukon.ca, email [email protected], or call 667-4704 for more information.

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Yukon Historical & Museums Association

3126 Third Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1E7 p: 867-667-4704 | f: 867-667-4506 [email protected] | heritageyukon.ca | @Yukonheritage

Established in 1977, YHMA works to strengthen heritage in the Yukon through leadership, advocacy, and education. Our membership reflects the scope and diversity of the Yukon heritage community.

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