Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Hän Singers

Dawson City, Yukon

Traditional Song/Dance

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) Singers have been actively singing traditional Hän songs since the early 1990s, however the history of the songs sung by the TH Singers extends back to the early 1900s. Chief Isaac, the most influential Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in leader, foresaw that his people were going to lose an important part of their culture: the songs and dances. Elders tell stories of how Chief Isaac gave Hän songs to Alaskan people for safekeeping. Since that time, Alaskan Elders who still remember the Hän songs and dances have returned some Hän songs, and have taught them to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizens. When the TH Singers started singing the songs in the early 1990s, Elder Archie Roberts was the only one who sang because he was the only one who knew the songs. With help from Alaskan Elders and Elder Archie Roberts, many TH citizens have joined the singing group to learn and perform their traditional songs and dances. Now the singing group includes Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in youth, adults, and Elders. At times, the singing group has grown to 30 or 40 participants. They have performed at large events such as the bi-annual Moosehide Gathering, Commissioner’s Tea and Potlatches, National Aboriginal Day celebrations, CYFN General Assemblies, and the TH Singers have also sung for the Governor General of Canada. Over the years, the Singers have been invited to numerous potlatches and various events in the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditional territory and Alaska.