'We're following our ancestors' ancient waterway'
A team from Carcross will paddle by canoe over five days to join their relatives for Haa Ḵusteeyí including 13-year-old Ryker Johns who made a similar trip when he was only 10.
The biennial celebration among the Inland Tlingit is being hosted by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin.
Donna Johns is the canoe leader with Carcross/Tagish First Nation – and Ryker’s auntie.
She will lead the journey and eight other paddlers on Sunday in a packed voyageur canoe created by master carver Wayne Price.
They hope to arrive in Atlin on Friday, July 28.
"We are following our ancestors' ancient waterway," said Donna Johns.
“So now, it's been 123 years that we're going to be going from Carcross to Atlin. And it's really good for our youth, and all of us, to be learning our own traditional waterways."
The trip in the opposite direction took five days in 2019. Johns anticipates a longer, tougher trip against the current this year.
The team will have two support motorboats following along, but Johns would rather avoid using them unless they have to.
“Our ancestors didn't have anyone towing them,” she said.
Haa Ḵusteeyí is a summer celebration, meant to be a break from the harsh winters and an opportunity to share knowledge, art, language, and history. This year’s celebration takes place July 28 to 30.

BC man convicted of manslaughter
Hamilton Boulevard trail cleared as winter pilot project wraps up
Yukon RCMP roll out new navy-blue uniform shirts
Yukon releases final flood maps for Dawson, Klondike Valley, Upper Liard
Inquest into the death of Manui Roux to be held in Whitehorse
Yukon municipalities to receive record $30 million in funding
Yukon expands winter electricity relief for residents
Ross River Dena Council says 'no' to proposed mining on its traditional territory
LSCFN stands firm: 'No mining in the Breadbasket'
Yukon Government accepts responsibility for abuse at Jack Hulland Elementary
Whistle Bend road connector project gets $8.7M boost from federal government
Yukon Government signs deal with Alliance Health for primary care clinic
Man Missing in Whitehorse: Reuben van Klaveren Sought by RCMP
Yukon Government passes health authority act amendment amidst first nations concerns
Selkirk First Nation announces election results
Carcross/Tagish First Nation cuts community safety services amid funding shortfall
Yukon First Nations Outraged Over Clean Energy Act Repeal
The Yukon Employees’ Union is weighing in on the Health Authority Act’s uncertain future
The Village of Haines Junction has announced the launch of a new grant program
Yukon's air ambulance program gets upgrade