here’s a new exhibit at Haa Shagóon Hídi. Haa G̱aatáa Haa Ḵusteeyí — Our Trapping Our Way of Life is a multimedia celebration of the trapping heritage of the Southern Lakes Region
Haa G̱aatáa Haa Ḵusteeyí — Our Trapping Our Way of Life, a new exhibit at Haa Shagóon Hídi (an events venue in Carcross on the traditional territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation), was originally conceived around three years ago, before being stalled by the pandemic. In the time spent planning it, the ideas kept coming; and when the exhibit opened in October, it had grown into something much more than its original idea.
“I think for this particular community and perhaps other smaller communities in the North, it was really important to put on an exhibition where people saw themselves, saw their own history through their own lense and really owned it and showcased it beautifully,” commented curator Sandra Storey.
The multimedia exhibit includes artifacts, artwork, photographs, tools, regalia, fur fashion and pieces from the territory’s permanent art collection, including artwork by Annie Smith and Ted Harrison. It also features trapping and sewing tools uncovered on the Yukon icefields, historic recordings of Elders sharing stories of their lives, and curated archival photographs.
“There’s an audio loop you can listen to, with four Elders being interviewed and telling stories about living off the land,” said Storey. “Some of them are pretty funny. The video loop has videos that go from the 1970s, right up until this last year.”
Haa G̱aatáa Haa Ḵusteeyí held its opening on Oct. 18, with an afternoon celebration that included fur-processing demonstrations. The exhibit runs until Dec. 22 and is open every day from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
“We are going to be having a number of events during the show, like an afternoon tea so Elders, locals and visitors can come look at photographs and hear their stories,” said Storey.
Storey said the reception to the exhibit, so far, has been overwhelmingly positive, with people from all over the territory, as well as visitors, taking everything in, gaining new insights and education, and developing a new appreciation for the history of the North.
“There’s been nothing but positive comments and a real fascination for the tools, the products that were made from the land, and the photographs of our Elders living the way they did seventy, eighty, one hundred and fifty years ago,” said Storey.
Storey, herself, learned a lot, during the curation of the exhibit, from the various Elders who told their stories and from the trappers who lent pieces of fur and traps to display. She hopes spectators will continue to find the exhibit educational but that it will also “inspire curiosity, mindfulness and respect for the land and its people.”
Storey also notes that anyone who works with fur or hide is welcome to submit work to display at the exhibit’s Christmas show, and she would be delighted to see what is out there and not yet part of the exhibit.
“Haa Shagóon Hídi is a rocking place, and everyone is welcome,” said Storey. “Just know that you’re welcome and we’d love to see you!”
Visit the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Facebook page at facebook.com/CarcrossTagishFirstNation and, to get involved, contact Sandra Storey at sandragracestorey@gmail.com
