Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #07-141
July 4, 2007
Forty Mile / Ch’ëdä Dëk Honoured At Archaeology Conference
WHITEHORSE - Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Darren Taylor jointly announced that the publication "Archaeology at Forty Mile/Ch'ëdä Dëk" received a Publication Communications Award from the Canadian Archaeological Association at their 40th Annual General Meeting held in Newfoundland.
"The award from the Canadian Archaeological Association recognizes not only a wonderful publication that is well done, but also honours the team, and the work they have done in the preservation and conservation of Forty Mile, a unique Yukon treasure," Minister Taylor said. "Congratulations to all involved."
The Forty Mile site is co-owned and co-managed by the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and the Yukon government, working in partnership to assist in the management, planning and interpretation of the Forty Mile historic site. Forty Mile archaeology crews have worked at the site each summer since 1998.
"Forty Mile's history is a unique blend of a First Nation camp and gold-rush-era town site," Chief Taylor said. "This publication helps increase understanding of this valuable heritage site. On behalf of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in council, congratulations to everyone involved in getting this story out."
The Hän name for the location of Forty Mile is Ch'ëdä Dëk. The narrative of the archaeological investigations at the site highlights the history of Forty Mile that began long before the Klondike Gold Rush. The excavations uncovered at Forty Mile give evidence of an early gold rush but also reveal more than 2,000 years of Hän First Nation history buried in the layers of river silt.
The publication, written by Thomas J. Hammer and Christian D. Thomas, was printed in 2006. Copies are available from the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Heritage Office at (867) 993-5385, by e-mail admin@gov.trondek.com, through the Department of Tourism and Culture at (867) 667-5386 or online at www.yukonheritage.com/publications-fortymile.pdf.
The Canadian Archaeological Association recognizes the importance of public journalism in disseminating and promoting Canadian archaeology. The Public Communications Award recognized outstanding efforts in magazine/journal, newspaper, radio, television and professional/institutional categories.
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| Contact: | ||
| Albert Petersen Cabinet Communications Government of Yukon (867) 633-7961 albert.petersen@gov.yk.ca |
Karen Keeley |
Wayne Potoroka Communications Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in (867) 993-7158 wayne.potoroka@gov.trondek.com |