Second Commissioner's Potlatch a success

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First Nations from across the territory gathered in Whitehorse on June 21 to celebrate their cultural heritage with pomp and style at the second annual Commissioner's Potlatch.

Dressed in the traditional black and red regalia, the Yukon's Aboriginal people shared their culture's crafts, songs, dances and stories in honor of National Aboriginal Day.

Among the hundreds assembled to take part in the day's festivities, a beaming Commissioner Judy Gingell stood by the performance tent proudly surveying the crowd. The originator of the annual event, Gingell was a force in ensuring that the event continued beyond its 1998 debut.

"The Commissioner's Potlatch was created as an opportunity for all people to come together and share in a spirit of unity and celebration," said Gingell. "Celebrating and sharing our culture and history uplifts and strengthens us. The songs and stories we carry make us who we are today and they must be preserved for future generations."

People from as far away as Manitoba, Quebec and California attended the event which offered demonstration workshops on weaving, quillworking, quilting, carving and traditional medicine. A skin tent, pole house, tripod cache, smoke rack and dead-fall trap were also on display.

In the artisan tent, meticulously beaded moccasins were sold alongside books, jewelry, crafts and herbs. Throughout the day, people volunteered to help stitch a red crest motif and buttons onto a large black background, transforming the felt pieces into a community button blanket.

While last year's creation featured a sun motif, this year's crest design illustrated the story of how raven created life by dropping salmon eggs into the river. Eight eggs were included into the design representing each of the Yukon's Indigenous languages.

The design, which is also on the Potlatch's poster, was created by local Native artist Mark Porter. The 26-year-old Teslin man tragically died in a house fire in mid-April. A talented carver and painter, Porter was a direct descendant of well-known Tlingit photographer George Johnston. His sudden death shocked the local community and added a tinge of sadness to the festivities.

During the performance, which followed a feast of moose stew, white fish chowder and bannock, Duane Aucoin, of the Deslin Khwan Dancers of Teslin, reminded the crowd of Porter's physical absence and spiritual presence among them.

Citing the death of 10 members of the Tlingit First Nation over the last year, Aucoin spoke of a "voice of sorrow" hanging over his people. Yet he optimistically directed a new hope in the voice of the nation's youth who are learning the traditional ways and working together to build a better future for Yukon First Nations.

Trondek Hwech'in Chief Steve Taylor echoed Aucoin's sentiments. "This celebration joins all First Nations together and builds unity amongst us. It is a time to build a strong, positive foundation of trust while providing renewal, strength and pride," said Taylor.

Aucoin and his group of 30 dancers easily stole the show with their bright costumes, youthful energy and enthusiasm. Other performers included Juno award winner Gerry Alfred, the Ross River drummers and dancers from Williams Lake, B.C.

The event ended late in the evening with a massive dance intermingling spectators and dancers into one great spiral bobbing to the beat of the drums.