Grows with Gold

Page 19

Years before the gold rush brought thousands of people into their quiet, peaceful country, Indian people living in the area near present-day Whitehorse, are believed to have met

up with a European explorer, probably from one of the Scandinavian countries.

His blond, almost white hair, coupled with his legendary "strength of a horse," caused the Native people to name him White Horse. When he drowned in the churning Yukon River, the rapids and the settlement which grew up nearby later, were named in his memory.

Other tales claim the rolling rapids reminded the Natives of the tossing of horses' manes. Still another suggested origin is the action of the waves against the rock as underwater

channels caused whitecaps which appear briefly in the shape of a horse.

Regardless of which is actually the true story of how the settlement got its name, Whitehorse today, with a population of 18,000, is Canada's most northerly city. It has long been a gathering place of Indians from all over the Yukon, when the people would gather to hunt, fish, choose a mate and visit the long summer days away.

Eventually, as the gold rush, trading posts, mining, pipeline and highway construction caused the non-Native nearby settlement of Whitehorse to row, the Native encampment became permanent and is part of the city today.

As the capital of the Yukon Territory, the attractive government building houses the public service, archives, public library and territorial council. Sixteen members represent the Yukon population of 27,000 - of which 7,000 are Native - as members of the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and New Democratic parties in the Legislature, which is similar to a provincial government body except for some matters, such as natural resources, still being decided by the federal government in Ottawa. However, as the Indian Land Claims which date back many years, slowly become settled, it is expected all issues pertinent to the Territory will be decided in Whitehorse and hopefully with full input from Native representatives.

The city also offers full medical facilities with the Whitehorse General Hospital as the main Yukon health care centre. Educational institutions include a technical and vocational centre as well as both Protestant and Catholic public schools, offering classes from kindergarten to high school. Many students study University of Alberta courses by correspondence.

Whitehorse residents are employed in administration, transportation and communications as well as tourism. Although the Native population is only about 11 per cent, they are very much in evidence in all areas of business, including shopkeepers and clerical workers. A full range of tourist attractions in Whitehorse and the est of Yukon with its history and its wilderness attract growing numbers of visitors yearly.

Events at the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre bring the people together as well as the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous which is held every winter. The 10 day February extravaganza features various cultural events, as well as an Indian Arts and Crafts Fair, a Native folklore evening to which non-Natives are welcomed and sled dog racing which is a main attraction, with a $10,000 prize bringing racers from all over North America. Other events include Flour Packing, Costumes plus Beard Growing Contests.