Carcross

The Carcross / Tagish First Nation Peoples of Carcross

Our Carcross / Tagish First Nation ancestry includes Tagish Athapaskan and Inland Tlingit. We belong to six clans: the Dak`laweidí and Yanÿeidí (Wolf Moiety) and Deisheetaan, Gaanaxteidí, Ishkahittaan and Kookhittaan (Crow Moiety). Our traditional lands include the Yukon River headwaters, ancient trails in the coastal mountains, and vast southern lakes surrounding Carcross.

Our ceremonies honour transitions from birth to adulthood to death, identifying relationships within family, clan and nation. Our art expresses spiritual connections with each other, the land, water and animals. Crests, totems and regalia represent our rich oral heritage and tradition of sharing.

There is so much happening in our land today to make our hearts sing. Visit our new Learning Centre with spectacular views of Nares Lake and the four sacred mountains. Hear Elders’ stories about the beginning of time when Game Mother brought all the animals into this world. Learn about our modern government that manages lands, resources and investments gained in our self-government agreements and works to build a healthy community. Our youngest citizens attend our daycare, watched over by our clan crests.

Come play for a day at our Carcross Commons. Sip a delicious latté, stroll through the shops, meet our people and visitors from around the world while kids are playing at the Game Mother Playground. Watch Master Carver Keith Wolfe Smarch create magnificent poles, masks and regalia. Breathe the fragrant aroma of cedar chips and listen to our ancestors’ stories told through animal and human figures taking shape in his skillful hands.

We invite you to come soon to enjoy all the vibrancy of our world!

I am committed to restorative justice

My Tlingit name is Aan Goosh oo – in English, Mark Wedge. I was born in Whitehorse and raised in Whitehorse and Carcross. My ancestry is Tagish, Tlingit and Caucasian. In our traditional way, I belong to my mother’s Deisheetaan Clan of the Crow moiety. I served as Khà Shâde Héni (Chief) of our First Nation and contributed to community socio-economic development with the Yukon Indian Development Corporation, däna Näye Ventures, the National Roundtable on the Economy and Environment, and the National Aboriginal Business Association. I am committed to restorative justice processes, training people throughout North America in using peacemaking circles to resolve complex community issues.

Aan Goosh oo. Mark Wedge Elder and former Khà Shâde Hèni