Taku River Tlingit First Nation reclaims traditional names on traditional territory

Tuesday, 1 August 2023 10:26

By Stuart Bonell

Traditional Tlingit names for mountains, waterways, and islands will be used to help reconnect to the land.

Taku River Tlingit First Nation has reclaimed over a dozen Tlingit names for locations in their traditional territory. In a media release this morning, Taku River Tlingit First Nation says that these place names carry ecological knowledge and are key elements in Tlingit stories.

The release goes on to say that the process of reclaiming place names helps communities reconnect with the land for a deeper understanding.

The list of reclaimed names includes K’iyán Mountain and A X̲eegí Deiyí Shaa, which were formerly known as Minto Mountain and Monarch Mountain, respectively. Those two names were reclaimed in March. On July 28, another eleven names were reclaimed, including T’ooch’ Héeni, Koosawu.áa Héen, and Wéinaa X’áat’i. The full list of names, pronunciations, and how they were known before the reclamation is available below.

K’iyán Mountain (pronounced KEY-yawn), previously known as Minto Mountain

A X̲eegí Deiyí Shaa (pronounced A-HEE-gi DAY-yi Shaa), formerly known as Monarch Mountain

T’ooch’ Héeni (pronounced t-ooch HEE-nee), previously 4th of July Creek

Koosawu.áa Héen (pronounced KOO-sa-woo ah HEEN), formerly known as Pine Creek

Koosawu Áa (pronounced KOO-sa-woo AH), previously Surprise Lake

Daatgaadláaḵ X’áat’i (pronounced daht-gahd-LAK HAHT-tee), previously Third Island

Utajée X’áat’i (pronounced oot-ta-jee HAHT-tee), previously Second Island

Wéinaa X’áat’i (pronounced WAY-nah HAHT-tee), previously First Island

In Héeni (pronounced IN HEE-nee), formerly known as McKee Creek

Yat’aayi Héen G̱eeyí (pronounced yut-AYE heen gee-YIH), formerly known as Warm Bay

Yat’aayi Héen (pronounced yut-AYE heen), formerly known as Warm Bay Hot Springs

Watsíx Héeni (pronounced wat-seek HEE-nee), previously the O’Donnell River

Taaltsux̱éi Héen (pronounced tal-soo-kay heen), previously spelled Tulsequah River

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Daughter demands answers after second family member dies at 405 Alexander

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her stepfather.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
YUKON'S SPEAKER DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM HIS OWN LIBERAL GOVERNMENT ABOUT POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTIONS YUKON AND TWO OTHER OVERSIGHT BODIES

Following complaints, Speaker Jeremy Harper writes to Sandy Silver to ask why the government is interfering with Elections Yukon, Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office, and the office of the Yukon Ombudsman
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.