Monday 18th May, 2009
Day 66


Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse, YT
Miles: 11099
N 60.67481°
W 135.05199°



In 1999 when we drove through this area we visited an exhibit of first nation lifestyle and Nina wanted to visit it again, but we could not remember where it was exactly or what it was called. When we drove through Whitehorse in April on our way north we saw a sign that looked promising but still could not find the place. On the Juneau trip two days ago we got lucky as one of the other guests knew of the place and gave us the name Long ago ... peoples place or Kwaday Dan Kenjii. So finding this place was on our agenda for today.

Which was a good thing, as it turned out that today is Victoria Day and everything is closed so the business we wanted to do has to be put off till tomorrow.

The visitors center helped Nina contact the place she wanted to visit, normally they are closed on Mondays but were prepared to give us the tour, so we set out on the 60 mile drive. When we arrived at the place there was no-one there and the place seemed to be locked up, but we decided to wait for a while and see what happened. After about 40 minutes a lady named Meta arrived to open up and prepare tea and bannack (which is served as part of the tour). Seemed that her husband, the tour guide, would be along in a little while so we should just relax. We had lunch, an afternoon nap, Nina chatted to the lady, and eventually Harold arrived and the tour began. He demonstrated deadfall traps, caribou fences, a number of different types of shelters, and let us try our hand at a spear throwing device that Australian aboriginals call a womera

After the tour we spent some time talking to the lady about the place, her family and community.


On the drive back to Whitehorse we called in at Takhini Hot Springs and spent a pleasant hour soaking in the hot water, but on this visit there was no snow.

A Nice day!!