The Dänòja Zho Cultural Centre was the perfect setting for the Aboriginal Day cultural event. Photo by Dan Davidson

Welcome to the July 2, 2004 edition of the online Klondike Sun, which reproduces a selection of the photographs and articles from the June 29, 2004 hard copy edition.

The Sun has not been updated on the web since the January 16/04 issue. At that time our volunteer webmaster, Richard Lawrence, finally ran out of time to keep this site current. We have been some time working out another way to get back online.

We have had many inquiries about the absence of current issues here, and we note that the site has had more than 1,000 hits since the last new posting.

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Aboriginal Day Celebrates Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Traditions

By Glenda Bolt

On June 21, First Nation people from all over the territory, local Dawsonites, and visitors made their way to Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre to celebrate National Aboriginal Day. The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in hosted an afternoon of songs, drumming, jigging, stick gambling, children's activities, food and performers from Old Crow. Many people chose to sit in the shade of the marquee tents and enjoy the garden flowers, visit and watch the river go by.

Georgette McLeod and Freda Roberts were the MC's for the afternoon events with Georgette sharing a few stories and the significance of the songs. The Han Singers and Drummers opened with the Welcome Song, and closed with the Flag Song. It was wonderful to see the Elders and youth together singing songs that were close to lost until just a few years ago.

A First Nation Fashion show was presented by the youth (tots to teens) with Sandra Roberts as MC. It is a labor of love to sew and bead on skin and the artistry and creative self expression was apparent on each piece of clothing. Some of the outfits were new and never been seen before such as Jackie Olson's traditional Athabaskan style moose skin dress completed 10 minutes before the show.

The youth who have been working with Sharon Benjamin and other volunteers on their jigging all winter. Jig after jig in the hot sun was followed by an all ages jigging contest with great prizes awarded for various categories.

The stick gambling games attracted a fresh crop of gamers and had everyone puzzled and laughing. Marie Sterriah and Teddy Moses kept the novice players on track with the aid of drummers Tanner and Leon Sydney and Bradley Keaton.

A visitor from Arizona won the Mukluk Raffle which was held to raise funds for Moosehide Gathering July 29-Aug. 1. Elder Annie Henry (99) chose the winning raffle ticket. Chief Isaac Inc. celebrated their 20th Anniversary by hosting a free barbecue lunch. Moosehide Gathering assistant coordinator, Patti Sydney slaved over a hot stove cooking free bannock while Gathering Coordinator Lue Maxwell kept the juice and water flowing and the activities on track.

To the delight of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in citizens and visitors (not to mention the staff!), Dänojà Zho is air conditioned. Many people took advantage of the free admission to the Gallery and the Gathering Room displays to learn and to cool off. This year the Gathering Room summer displays present the life and times of Elder Rev. Richard Martin as well as a display on Winter Travel.

Mähsi Cho to all who came to join in and celebrate National Aboriginal Day with us and Mähsi to those who gave us a hand through out the day.