{"id":728,"date":"2022-01-10T14:03:19","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T14:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/?post_type=chapter&p=728"},"modified":"2022-01-14T18:49:00","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T18:49:00","slug":"12-5-indigenous-tourism-in-the-yukon","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/12-5-indigenous-tourism-in-the-yukon\/","title":{"raw":"12.5 Indigenous Tourism in the Yukon","rendered":"12.5 Indigenous Tourism in the Yukon"},"content":{"raw":"

Yukon First Nations Communities<\/h1>\r\nThe Yukon is home to 14 Yukon First Nations and 8 language groups which totals approximately 25% of the Yukon\u2019s population. Additionally, there are First Nations groups within British Columbia and the Northwest Territories that have traditional territory within the Yukon. Of these 14 First Nations, 11 have signed modern treaties enabling Yukon First Nations self-governance over their people and land ensuring a sustainable balance between entrepreneurial and economic tourism activities with traditional activities. Throughout the year there are multiple festivals and gatherings to celebrate Yukon First Nations\u2019 cultural traditions. Some such festivals include:\r\n
Moosehide Gathering, Haa Kusteey Celebration, D\u00e1k\u0173\u0300 n\u00e4n ts\u02bc\u00e8ddhy\u00e8t Dance Festival, and Ad\u00e4ka Cultural Festival<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_764\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]\"\" Figure 6.10 Moosehide Gathering in Yukon Territory.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nTake a Closer Look: First Nations Communities<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFor more information on First Nation communities and languages within Yukon visit the links provided below or browse through the Welcome Guide<\/a> organized by YFNCT to showcase Yukon First Nations dynamic, evolving and rich cultural traditions to both local and visitor audiences.\r\n\r\nYukon First Nations<\/b>\r\n\r\nBeaver Creek \u2013White River First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nBurwash Landing \u2013 Kluane First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nCarcross \u2013 Carcross\/Tagish First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nCarmacks \u2013 Little Salmon\/Carmacks First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nDawson City - Tr\u2019ond\u00ebk Hw\u00ebch\u2019in<\/a>\r\n\r\nHaines Junction \u2013 Champagne and Aishihik First Nations<\/a>\r\n\r\nMayo \u2013 First Nation of Na-Cho Ny\u00e4k Dun<\/a>\r\n\r\nOld Crow -Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nPelly Crossing \u2013 Selkirk First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nRoss River \u2013 Ross River Dena Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nTeslin \u2013 Teslin Tlingit Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nWatson Lake \u2013 Liard First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhitehorse \u2013 Kwanlin D\u00fcn First Nation<\/a> & Ta\u2019an Kw\u00e4ch\u2019\u00e4n Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nTransboundary Aboriginal Groups<\/b>\r\n\r\nGwich\u2019in Tribal Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nTetlit Gwich\u2019in Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nInuvialuit<\/a>\r\n\r\nAcho Dene Koe First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nKaska Dena Council<\/a>, which represents Daylu Dena Council, Dease River First Nation, Kwadacha First Nation\r\n\r\nTaku River Tlingit First Nation<\/a>\r\n\r\nTahltan Central Council<\/a>\r\n\r\nAboriginal Language Groups<\/b>\r\n\r\nGwich'in<\/a>\r\n\r\nH\u00e4n<\/a>\r\n\r\nKaska<\/a>\r\n\r\nNorthern Tutchone<\/a>\r\n\r\nSouthern Tutchone<\/a>\r\n\r\nTagish<\/a>\r\n\r\nUpper Tanana<\/a>\r\n\r\nTlingit<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Indigenous Tourism in the Yukon<\/h1>\r\nThe Yukon is a vast wilderness beginning at a time when Raven, Earth Mother and other powerful beings made the world safe for people. Elders say that the First Nations people have always been here, with oral traditions and archaeological evidence showing Indigenous presence in the Yukon for more than 12,000 years. Yukon First Nations have lived off the land, knowing the best places to hunt, fish and gather food through teachings passed down from elders to the young, generation by generation. This generational knowledge and openness to teach has created an opportunity for Yukon First Nations to share their stories, traditions, and culture with others.\r\n\r\nPrior to 1994 there was no one specific organization that provided support and guidance to Yukon First Nations individuals and businesses that wished to share their culture, traditions and stories about the land through tourism and cultural exploration. This was solved through the creation of the Yukon First Nations Cultural and Tourism Association<\/a> (YFNCT), founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization and in their words, they are \u201ccommitted to promoting, supporting and advancing the culture and tourism sectors with and for Yukon First Nations communities\u201d \u2013 working with government organizations to maximize opportunities within these sectors. YFNCT has a vision to strengthen and unify Yukon First Nations communities through the sharing of their arts and culture. This creates pride, renowned artists, and inspiring experiences that attract visitors from around the world. This vision is reflected in the structure of support available to First Nations businesses and individual entrepreneurs wishing to start a business. YFNCT has five main pillars of focus which include: leadership, tourism development, arts development, marketing and sales, and industry events. YFNCT is acknowledged as providing expert support and mentorship to entrepreneurs throughout every step of their business journey.\r\n\r\n \r\n
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Spotlight On: \u00a0National Indigenous Peoples Day Yukon <\/strong><\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nIn 1982, the Assembly of First Nations launched a national campaign to have June 21st recognized as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day, a day in which to recognize and celebrate the achievements, culture and heritage of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. On June 13, 1996, the Governor General of Canada officially declared June 21st as National Aboriginal Day which is now more commonly referred to as National Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada.On May 8, 2017, the Yukon unanimously passed a bill declaring June 21st as a holiday \u2013 making the Yukon the second jurisdiction in Canada to do so and encouraging participation in celebrating Yukon First Nations culture and heritage in communities across the territory.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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A Strategic Approach to Growth<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Yukon Tourism Strategy 2018 - 2028<\/b><\/h2>\r\nThe Yukon Tourism Development Strategy Steering Committee was formed - at the request of the Government of Yukon - to provide strategic advice to the Minister of Tourism and Culture and create a goal-oriented strategy that could support the Yukon tourism sector through many years.\u00a0 This committee is comprised of a diverse group of Yukon tourism-focused organizations and stakeholders, including multiple First Nations organizations, and has resulted in a ten-year plan to help promote more sustainable, year-round tourism in the territory.\r\n\r\nA key focus of this plan acknowledges the need to support the development of Indigenous tourism as an opportunity for Yukon First Nations \u201cto share and celebrate their stories in a meaningful and authentic way.\u201d\u00a0 Under the Action Plans outlined in this strategy, there is a commitment to host a Yukon First Nations Tourism Summit event in order to bring together Yukon First Nations, development corporations, YFNCT and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to discuss how they can better support Indigenous tourism development in the Yukon.\u00a0 The Action Plans also highlight the goal of establishing the Yukon as a \u201cpremier destination for Indigenous tourism experiences.\u201d Through supporting opportunities for improved visitor experiences and awareness to Yukon First Nations tourism, it will result in a \u201cbetter alignment of cultural and visitor information centres.\u201d\r\n\r\nYou can access the entire Yukon Tourism Strategy by downloading the guide from the Government of Yukon website here<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n
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\r\n\r\nSpotlight On: Yukon First Nations Cultural Centres<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMany of the First Nation communities within the Yukon have designed cultural centres which bring community members together and provide a space in which to share their unique traditions with locals and visitors alike. \u00a0There are many benefits cultural centres bring to the communities they operate in, including a physical space to archive important historic artifacts, exhibit traditional art, host gatherings and potlatches as well as providing cultural and language programs that educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.\u00a0In recent years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the cultural centres in the Yukon have sought to expand their offerings; partnering with local organizations in their buildings to expand their prospective market. \u00a0This has encouraged the promotion of their spaces for event rentals in both the Yukon and across Canada, and has also resulted in the availability of carefully handcrafted First Nations products in giftshops located in these centres.\r\n\r\nPlease click on the links below to learn more.\r\n\r\nDa K\u0173 Cultural Centre<\/a> (Haines Junction)\r\n\r\nD\u00e4noj\u00e0 Zho Cultural Centre<\/a> (Dawson City)\r\n\r\nHaa Shag\u00f3on H\u00eddi<\/a> (Carcross)\r\n\r\nKwanlin D\u00fcn Cultural Centre<\/a> (Whitehorse)\r\n\r\nTag\u00e9 Cho Hud\u00e4n Interpretive Centre<\/a> (Carmacks)\r\n\r\nAbove are just a few examples of the cultural centres that exist in the Yukon.\u00a0 The Yukon First Nation Culture & Tourism Association has created a more fulsome list which can be viewed here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_767\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]\"\" Figure 6.11 Inside D\u00e4noj\u00e0 Zho Cultural Centre located Dawson City, Yukon[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIndigenous-operated Tourism Businesses in Yukon Cultural Centres are just one example of how Yukon First Nations are creating tourism opportunities, but there are many other Indigenous-operated businesses that are providing authentic cultural experiences that focus on celebrating and revitalizing Yukon First Nations culture.\r\n\r\nA core element of Indigenous culture which carries over to Indigenous tourism is the connection to the land and the importance of protecting it for many generations to come.\u00a0 There are different Indigenous tourism offerings that include everything from medicine walks where Yukon First Nations Elders guide visitors through their traditional lands and share their oral histories while creating a place of healing, to craft fairs where tourists can purchase hand-made, authentic Indigenous art to remember their trip.\u00a0Just like their ancestors before them, many Indigenous tourism operators adjust their offerings as seasons change so that they can be sustainable year-round.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nFor more information on Indigenous-owned tourism businesses in the Yukon, click here.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n
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Case Study:\u00a0Kw\u00e4day D\u00e4n Kenji \u2013 Long Ago Peoples Place<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nKw\u00e4day D\u00e4n Kenji or \u201cLong Ago Peoples Place,\u201d was co-founded in 1995 by life partners Harold Johnson of the Champagne and Aishikik First Nations and Meta Williams of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation.\u00a0 It is an Indigenous-owned and operated, educational tourism business focusing on the pre-contact history of Yukon First Nations people.\u00a0 The camp is a walkthrough style \u201cliving\u201d museum displaying structures, objects and tools utilized by First Nation peoples to survive the harsh Yukon environment.\u00a0 Visitors of all ages are invited on a guided tour of the camp to see recreated ancient technologies, such as: caribou fences, fish traps, dead fall traps and eagle feather gopher snares. Their hope is to not only educate the general public about Indigenous culture and ways of life, but also to provide a resource for their own First Nations communities to foster reconnection to the land and encourage pride in their people, in light of the atrocities they have faced.\u00a0 They have adapted their offerings to be year-round and believe in the importance of offering employment opportunities through hiring other First Nations, including the local Southern Tutchone First Nation citizens.\r\n\r\nEarly on, being one of the first Indigenous tourism operators providing this type of cultural programming,\u00a0Harold and Meta recognized the importance education plays in managing biases and changing perceptions non-Indigenous people may have about their culture.\u00a0 Their focus on authentic experiences and well-researched cultural programming has made them a leader in Indigenous cultural tourism in the Yukon and an excellent example of ways Indigenous Peoples can share their culture and create a safe space of learning and reconciliation.\r\n\r\nHarold Johnson and Meta Williams also set wonderful examples of operations that could be used as guidelines for responsible Indigenous tourism, such as:\r\n