SS Klondike Historical Site

Leonard Linklater of Gwaandak Theatre hosted the Speaking event.

The National Historic site in Whitehorse is getting some replacement panels for it's outdoor exhibits, which better reflect the history of river boats of the early 20th century.

Riverboats

The era of the riverboats was an industrious and exciting time in the territory.

Parks Canada is hoping to update it's exterior exhibit panels on the the of the Nationally Historic SS Klondike.

Historians and Parks staff gathered on Monday to hear stories from those whose lives were affected by the steam powered boats.

Ione Chistensen, former commissioner of Yukon and Mayor of Whitehorse, spent her childhood on the banks at Fort Selkirk where her father was stationed as an RCMP officer.

She told some 15 vignettes of her memories relating to the sternwheelers, the captains and her childish antics.

 

On June 20, 1974, in possibly the most famous fire in Yukon history, two of the last remaining Yukon River sternwheelers were destroyed.

This is one of Ione's most heartbreaking memories, as she shared photos of the SS Casca, and SS Whitehorse

 

A family picture of the 

Elder James Miller of the Ta'an Kwatch'an told listeners stories of his upbringing on Lake Labarge

 

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