YNLC A
Ctivities
R epoRt
C oveRiNg the
p eRiod
J uLY
– d eCembeR
2009
YNLC moved into summer activities following Yukon
College graduation and the close of school language programs in June. In July, staff linguist Doug Hitch presented recent YNLC research on the Kohklux maps at the International Conference on the History of Cartography in
Copenhagen, Denmark. In July and August, YNLC Director John
Ritter attended meetings at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. YNLC's Linda
Harvey and Mary Jane Allison attended the six-week summer session at UAF, continuing coursework toward academic degrees offered collaboratively with Yukon College and
YNLC. Two Alaskan visitors from the Upper Kuskokwim region came to YNLC in August for technical training for web-based language projects.
With the start of school programs in the fall, the Centre also resumed its training schedule which continued to the Christmas break. Eleven instructors from three Yukon language groups participated in the September Native Language Certificate/Diploma training session spearheaded by YNLC coordinators Linda Harvey and Jo-Anne Johnson.
In late November, YNLC held one of its largest-ever Tukudh (Gwich’in) literacy sessions, with thirty-one participants from Yukon, NWT, and Alaska. Successful Tlingit and Hän literacy sessions were also held this fall.
Cooperative work with the Yukon Geographical Place Names Board continued in the fall and included a place-name survey of the Kusawa Lake and Mendenhall River area.
Looking north at N a/khu\ç, traditional rafting-across point on Kusawa Lake. The
Southern Tutchone name for the lake, Na/khu\ç MaÜn , comes from this feature.
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 1

Anthropologist Julie Cruikshank, under YNLC sponsorship, produced the manuscript text on the travels of Edward Glave in the southwest Yukon.
YNLC Elder Margaret Workman returned to
YNLC to assist in transcribing and translating her
Southern Tutchone story about the importance of sharing food in traditional aboriginal society.
As a Council of Yukon First Nations program,
YNLC participated in discussions on native language revitalization in connection with the
Northern Strategy Trust for enhancing the quality of life for northern peoples.
In September, respected Teslin Tlingit elder and fluent speaker Emma Sam received a national literacy award for her work in keeping the Tlingit l a n g u a g e alive. The
Council of
Emma Sam holds her Literacy Award the Federation Literacy Award was presented in a ceremony at the Yukon Legislature by Education
Minister Patrick Rouble. The award was created in
2004 to recognize the importance of literacy as an essential building block for a vibrant society and economy.
Emma was born to David and Rosie Johnston of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation and is of the Ishkìtàn clan. Her Tlingit name is Wakhsâni. She grew up speaking her language and worked for years as an interpreter for the Yukon government before moving on to become a teacher of Tlingit. She has participated in many Tlingit literacy sessions at YNLC, and has also contributed to the creation of YNLC's Interior Tlingit Noun Dictionary (2001).
In 2000 Emma published Yú.á “They Say”, a
Tlingit language booklet and tape, and with YNLC assistance released an accompanying CD. She now teaches adult language classes at CYFN in
Whitehorse and continues to pass her cultural traditions on to her children and grandchildren.
Linda Harvey and Mary-Jane Allison
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 2

Lillian Underwood has been hired as native language instructor at
Kluane Lake School in
Destruction Bay. Rural
Programs Coordinator
Kaska Instructor Nancy Sterriah leads a language game
Jo-Anne Johnson visited the school to review lesson plans, curriculum guide, and materials with her.
CYFN’s Gwich’in Instructor
Linda Netro-Hendrie and Linda Harvey
Certificate and Diploma Training Session
In September, eleven Yukon language instructors attended the week-long training session for students enrolled in both the Certificate and
Diploma programs. YNLC staff presented material on language structure, including listening exercises and sentence structure, and on teaching techniques, including methods for teaching about people, animals, and household objects. Participants led demonstration lessons, shared teaching ideas and methods, and developed materials for use in their community language programs. Founding elders
Gertie Tom and Margaret Workman also participated in the session.
This fall Linda Harvey, Jo-Anne Johnson, and Anne Ranigler organized a one-day session for CYFN language instructors. CYFN continues to offer free language lessons for the public at its Whitehorse office. Most of the
CYFN instructors have participated in training at YNLC and utilize YNLC materials in their classes.
Tlingit Literacy Session
In September, YNLC sponsored a visit to
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009
YNLC’s Gertie Tom and Jo-Anne Johnson
3

September Tlingit Literacy Session Participants with
Dr. Jeff Leer in the back row, centre.
Whitehorse by Dr. Jeff Leer of the
Alaska Native Language Center,
University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Twelve participants attended a Tlingit literacy and grammar workshop led by Dr. Leer, including native language instructors from
Teslin and Carcross. Participants reviewed Tlingit consonant sounds, studied two classes of verbs, and practised listening exercises in both the Teslin and Carcross dialects.
These exercises were created by fluent speaker and experienced
Teslin instructor Bessie Cooley as part of her Diploma program requirements. Fluent speaker and
Carcross instructor Mamie Smith assisted with the Carcross dialect version.
Teetl'it Gwich’in Grammar
Session
In October, YNLC’s John Ritter and
André Bourcier held a consultation session on Gwich’in grammar at the request of William Firth, Language
Program Manager of the Gwich'in
Social and Cultural Institute in Fort
McPherson NWT. The session focused on Gwich'in verb analysis.
Tukudh (Gwich’in) Literacy
Session
In late November, John Ritter and
André Bourcier led a well-attended session on Tukudh, the older form of the Gwich’in language developed by
Tukudh (Gwich'in) Literacy Session participants Garry Njootli,
Elder Percy Henry from Dawson City, and UAF Gwich’in
Instructor Allan Hayton
Archdeacon Robert McDonald together with Gwich’in speakers in the nineteenth century.
Thirty-one participants from Yukon, NWT, and Alaska studied and retranscribed traditional
Advent hymns and Anglican liturgy from Tukudh into modern Gwich’in. They practised and recorded a number of hymns and also discussed the origins of Gwich’in surnames, all under the guidance of elders and YNLC staff. Participants included retired native language instructor Helen Charlie from Old Crow, UAF Gwich'in instructor Allan Hayton from Fairbanks, and Hän elders Percy and Mabel Henry from Dawson. Many Teetl'it Gwich'in also attended, including sisters Joanne Snowshoe and Ruth Carroll, who provided valuable knowledge
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 4

and assistance throughout. Darius
Elias, Member of the
Legislative Assembly for Vuntut Gwitchin, visited to make a brief presentation.
Hän Literacy
Session
In early December,
YNLC staff organized and led a workshop on
Hän literacy. Twelve participants translated
O Canada into Hän,
Hän Literacy Session Participants reviewed the Hän alphabet, practised listening exercises for consonants, and reviewed terms for family relations (which vary depending on the gender of the speaker/referent) under the guidance of elders and staff. Participants included
Percy and Mabel Henry along with their daughter Mary Henry, Hän language instructor at Robert Service School in Dawson, and co-instructor Melissa Hawkins with her young son Jack. The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in FN was represented by Angie Joseph-Rear (Language
Coordinator), Georgette McLeod (Heritage), and Erika
Joseph-Scheffen.
Kohklux in Copenhagen
In July, staff linguist Doug Hitch attended the International
Conference on the History of Cartography in Copenhagen,
Denmark, to present the findings of YNLC staff in interpreting the Kohklux map. This historically and culturally important map of southwest Yukon was drawn by a Tlingit chieftain in 1869. Linda Johnson, former Yukon Archivist, and John
Cloud, from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, were also members of the Kohklux panel.
Doug's talk, Deciphering the Geography and Language of
Kohklux, showed the progress made by YNLC in finding the native Tlingit and Athapaskan place names hidden behind the map spellings. He also used sound files spoken by
Yukon First Nations elders to illustrate points.
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009
YNLC linguist Doug Hitch with the
Kohklux map
5

Yukon College Women’s
Studies Course
In October, Linda
Harvey, Jo-Anne Johnson, and Anne Ranigler organized and presented a class session on YNLC activities, programs, and materials to Lynn
Echevarria’s Women’s
Studies course at Yukon
College.
Georgette McLeod reviews the Hän version of O Canada
F.H. Collins Grade 12
Communication Studies
In November, André
Bourcier was invited to make a presentation to the
Grade 12 Communications Studies class at F.H. Collins about language preservation and revitalization. The class included students of several language backgrounds. They read and discussed articles about Yukon aboriginal language revitalization.
First Nations Language Keepers Conference
In December, YNLC staff members Linda Harvey, Jo-Anne Johnson, Anne Ranigler, and Josephine Holloway attended the 2009 First Nation Language Keepers Conference in Saskatoon. The theme of this year’s conference was new advances in knowledge about language revitalization and retention, as well as new technology and community language developments.
Linda, Jo-Anne, and Anne presented a session on teaching methods and materials. Linda and Anne also taught a demonstration lesson in Southern Tutchone.
Josephine hosted a YNLC materials display. The team approach to language preservation used by
YNLC is a unique model and staff felt it was important to demonstrate this.
In August, Teresa and Phylicia Hanson of Telida
Village, Alaska, who are working on Upper Kuskokwim language projects, came to YNLC for technical training. Doug Hitch provided instruction on recording and editing sound files, and on techniques for having sounds playable on web pages. The Hansons hope to emulate the Centre’s successful model for native language audio production.
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009
Josephine Holloway at the YNLC Christmas lunch
6

In November, Darius Elias, MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, introduced a motion in the Yukon Legislature to establish an independent commission to make recommendations on aboriginal language protection in the Yukon. Both of the other northern territories are taking steps to provide such protection. Nunavut has just created the Inuit Language Protection Act, and the Northwest Terriories is in the process of revising its Official Languages Act. Mr. Elias's motion specifically refers to the involvement of YNLC in such language protection. YNLC's Linda Harvey and André Bourcier were interviewed on CBC North for background information on the motion.
Southern Tutchone numerals from Glave’s journal. (University of
Alaska Fairbanks)
The manuscript of E.J. Glave’s writings edited by anthropologist
Dr. Julie Cruikshank is being prepared for publication in 2010.
Edward James Glave was an English-born explorer and journalist whose reports and notebooks about his travels in southwest Yukon in
1890-1891 contain many references to native place names, personal names, and cultural practices. Dr. Cruikshank’s manuscript includes
Glave’s newspaper articles and material from his unpublished field journals (now kept at the University of Alaska Fairbanks). YNLC’s John Ritter and Doug
Hitch are providing editorial support, working on
Glave’s native language material and on the maps of the routes, and collecting additional images. The resulting book will be an important addition to the literature on Yukon First Nations geography, history, and culture.
O Canada CD
Linda Harvey recorded Canada’s national anthem on CD as a medley of English, French, and Southern
Tutchone versions at the request of Porter Creek
Secondary School in Whitehorse. YNLC's Doug Hitch recorded the song, and André Bourcier assisted with teaching the French version.
Tukudh DVDs
Continuing interest in the Tukudh tradition, the liturgical language of the Gwich'in people first written down by Archdeacon McDonald, has led to renewed need for material. The three videotapes of Tukudh services held at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church,
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009
CAFN Elder Paddy Jim at YNLC
7

Fairbanks, and Christ Church Cathedral (Anglican), Whitehorse, are now available on
DVD.
Session Report Reprints
Due to high demand, various session reports including several Gwich'in/Tukudh session reports have been reprinted.
Trappers Game
The popular Monopoly-style Trappers Game, in which players move around the board naming animals, now has new game cards and lots of redesigned YNLC money available.
Publications Catalogue
The YNLC Publications Catalogue, listing all YNLC’s publications, is available free of charge at our website: www.ynlc.ca. You can download a pdf version or use a printable order form.
The Yukon Native Language Centre and individual teachers are busy planning for the spring session. Please contact YNLC for updates on scheduling.
If you would like more information on the Centre's programs, or would like to order our publications, please consult our website at www.ynlc.ca, or contact us by:
• local telephone at (867) 668-8820
• toll-free 1-877-414-9652
• fax at (867) 668-8825
• email at info@ynlc.ca
• mail at Yukon Native Language Centre,
Yukon College,
Box 2799,
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5K4.
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 8

Yukon Photographer Wayne Towriss and Sheila
Maissan identifying place name images
Celebrating Betty Sjodin’s birthday in November
André Bourcier and
Linda Harvey enjoying a moment during a training session
Allan Hayton and Ruth Carroll at the board at the Tukudh (Gwich’in) Literacy Session
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 9

Tlingit Literacy Session
Certificate ¶ Diploma Course
Gwich&in Literacy and Grammar
CYFN Instructors Session
Gwich&in Literacy Session
Ha/n Literacy Session
Classroom Literacy
Teacher Training
YNLC Training
Teacher Training
Classroom Literacy
Classroom Literacy
Sept 9-11
Sept 21-25
Oct 14-16
Oct 22
Nov 24-26
Dec 1-3
Johnson Elementary School visit
CAFN Community Program, Haines
Junction
St. Elias Community School Visit
Kluane Lake School Visit
Tantalus School visit
LSCFN Community Program,
Carmacks
Kaska Program Oct 14-16
S. Tutchone Program Nov 11
S. Tutchone Program Nov 11
S. Tutchone Program Nov 13
N. Tutchone Program Nov 16
N. Tutchone Program Nov 17
International Map Conference,
Copenhagen, Denmark
CYFN Self Governing Secretariat meeting
Women&s Studies, Yukon College
Heritage Conference
CYFN Self Governing Secretariat meeting
F.H. Collins Communications 12
Language Keepers Conference,
Saskatoon
Kohklux Map
Presentation
YNLC Participation
YNLC Presentation
YNLC Presentation
YNLC Participation
YNLC Presentation
YNLC Presentation
July 12-17
Oct 8
Oct 13
Oct 23
Nov 10
Nov 13
Dec 8-9
YNLC Activities Report, July - December, 2009 10