In and around Dawson City

Today was the day that we decided to take it easy and stretch our legs. We began the day with Klondike Kate’s delicious muffins and an historic walking tour of the city. In the grand scheme of things 100 years is not a long period of history, but then again it really only took a fraction of the millennium to nearly destroy the aboriginal culture in the area. Personally I think that Klondike history is very interesting. Adventure, discovery, and exploration. I like it. But Dawson before the gold rush was a very serene fishing ground that was completely obliterated by the hunt for riches. Where the city itself lies used to be a moose pasture and the Klondike used to flow on the opposite side of the valley to which it runs now.

The moose are gone. The fish stocks are at such a low that the local fishing company is nearing the end of its lifespan. And the river flows in a different place. This is a quick and dirty historical overview of the city, but nonetheless interesting. When the gold rush began, Chief Isaac foresaw what would become of his people and his culture and made, what must have been a heart breaking, decision to travel to a neighbouring clan in Alaska and ask them to preserve their songs and traditions. He even went as far as to surrender significant ceremonial artefacts to them. Furthermore, he moved their traditional camps further up the river as to not mix with the 30,000 new settlers. It was only by these means that a semblance of the Tro’ndek people and traditions survived. Some 80 years later and after his death, his people held a ceremony to regain their traditions from the neighbouring clan. I think it is a remarkable piece of history.

As for the river being completely moved, it is due to dredging for gold. Imagine, moving an entire river. Mind boggling. Now imagine what that does to the fishing grounds…
After spending the day taking a tour of local history, we’re off to Diamond Tooth Gerties for a little gambling, cancan girls, and maybe a few Yukon Golds.

Kms - 40



Discovery Creek where the first gold was found starting the Klondike gold rush


Dredge #4