The Traditional Culture and Heritage of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation People

Welcome to our land! We humbly ask you to show your respect to the land while you are here. If in doubt about protocol or approvals for activities we ask that you work with our First Nation through the Caribou Crossing Adventure Company at 867.821.3216.

Gunalchish! (Thank you)

General Information
Spirituality is held in very high regard within the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Ceremony is a very important part of our life and follows the transition of ages, spanning from birth to death, and our relationship with self, clan and nation. Our art forms express our spiritual relationship and interconnectedness with each other, the land, water and animals. Our crests and totems serve as keys to unlock a rich oral tradition of storytelling and sharing.

The two moieties are Wolf (Gooch) and Crow (Yeitl). Tagish/Tlingit culture is matrilineal or follows the mother's line. For instance, when a child is born he or she is born into the mother's moiety, clan and house group. Each moiety consists of several clans, each clan belonging to either wolf or crow.

The Carcross/Tagish area has six clans that are recognized. Two of the six are Wolf and the other four are Crow moiety. Daklaweidi (Killer whale) and Yen Yedi (Wolf) are both of Wolf Moieties. Deisheetaan (Beaver), Ganaxtedi (Raven), Kookhittaan (Crow), Ishkahittan (Frog) are all of Crow Moiety.

Traditionally a person of Crow moiety must marry a person of wolf moiety and vice versa, but with the arrival and intermarriages between Europeans and other First Nation people, this custom is no longer as strictly observed. This was done to ensure that the interdependence and balance of life and the Nation was maintained.

Each clan owns and carries their own crest or emblem. This crest could be attached to their regalia such as a button blanket, dance tunic or a vest. This identified which clan individuals belonged to when they attend certain functions, such as potlatches. It is illegal and considered taboo to wear a crest or emblem that is not your own.

It is also important to mention that all clans have clan leaders who are chosen by their respective clan members to be their spokesperson, and speak on behalf of the clan at meetings, ceremonial activities, or any other public events. The clan leader is referred to as the Khà Shâde Héni (headman standing up). The basic requirements in the selection of a clan leader relates to their character, abilities, social standing and demonstrated commitment to the welfare of their clan members.

The Clan System requires each clan to put forward their appointed clan leaders who together will have the authority to make final important decisions on behalf of all the citizens of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

Formerly all adult males of a localized clan approved of the selection and appointment of an individual to be clan leader, but more recently clan mothers and women of status have participated in these decisions whether it is for political or other social functions. In the present day period, not all clans have leaders who have been officially and ceremoniously appointed.

The Carcross/Tagish First Nation is presently incorporating their cultural values and principals into their self-governing laws as it has now ratified and is implementing self-government.  

For thousands of years the Carcross/Tagish First Nation people have lived off the land and used its resources to sustain their lives. In order to survive everyone had to work hard. Hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering traditional medicines and berries are still important and part of the lifestyles today. It is important to note that the Carcross/Tagish First Nation uses and still maintains many trails within Southern Yukon, Alaska and Northern British Columbia, which includes the famous Chilkoot Trail. The Chilkoot Trail was a trading route long before the arrival of European peoples and is part of Carcross/Tagish First Nation Traditional Territory.

In later year’s men, women and children worked as packers for the many stampeders that ventured over the trail to the gold fields in the Klondike region. While the stampeders made their way through Carcross/Tagish First Nation lands, many of the people assisted them to health when ill, gave warm clothing and a hearty meal whenever needed.

Respect for the land and water and all it has to offer is a First Nation tradition, and what all First Nation people are taught for countless generations. Sharing and taking only what you need is also strongly observed. Elders from each clan have the respect of all and receive meat, fish, berries and other food from all First Nation citizens.

All aspects of life was conducted by ceremony, for example preparing to leave, while on the hunt or when the animal is caught, to ensure the animal is respected. This ensures a successful hunt in the future. If these laws are not followed, one is sure not to have animals offer themselves in the future.

Carcross/Tagish First Nation Traditions

Hunting - To keep from over hunting the people were nomadic, moving from place to place depending on what they were hunting and the season. Moose hunting is mostly done in the fall, when the moose have gained the bulk of their weight in order to survive the long winter ahead. When a moose is shot, every part of the animal is used, not only for food, but also for tools, clothing, boats, tents, snowshoes and much, much more.

Fishing - Fish was and still is another major source of diet. Fish were mainly caught in willow or sinew nets. Fish traps, spears, bone and wood fishhooks were also used to catch fish. In order to prepare for the cold winter months a lot of fish was cut up and hung on racks to dry. Smoked and dry meat and fish were stored in caches for later use. Families would have perished if they did not know how to preserve and store food.

Trapping - Another large part of the First Nation heritage is trapping. This is mainly done in the winter months because this is when the animals have acquired their winter coats and the fur is in prime condition. Before the exchange of money, furs were used as currency as a means of trade. Hunters caught a wide variety of fur-bearing animals by snares or deadfalls using different kinds of bait. The animals were skinned out and placed on stretchers. The lightest and warmest furs were used to make robes and blankets.

Gathering - Berries, herbs and plant foods are gathered (or put up) in various times of the year. Women put up a variety of berries that grow in almost every part of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Traditional Territory that encompasses Southern Yukon, Northern British Columbia and Alaska. Most of the berries picked were mixed in grease with dried meat or fish and cached away and used only when food was low, especially in the winter months.

Traditional Medicines - The land not only serves as our grocery store, but also as our hospital and pharmacy. We know that if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us. This relationship with the land ensures that the land gives us the medicines and herbs, as well as physical and psychological healing that our people need. Most of our people understand how to gather basic medicines, and we have people that have a wealth of knowledge about the medicines that the land provides.

Construction Material - Our understanding of survival and the environment allows us to survive and prosper on the land. We did not create materials, so much as use the materials that mother earth provided for us. The use of stone, wood, bones and skin provided our implements and tools. They also provided the materials needed for construction of our shelters and vehicles.

Art Forms - Our art forms developed out of the need to express our relationship with each other and creation. The crests, totems and stories do not serve an artistic purpose, so much as a spiritual expression. It’s a mixture of Coastal Tlingit and Tagish/Athabascan design. The use of color, materials and images combined to give life to our ceremonies. It has been told that the true artist is able to sing the spirit out of the wood and people.