Tombstone Territorial Park protects the cultural and ecological heritage of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in

Yukon’s Tombstone Territorial Park protects a unique wilderness of rugged peaks, permafrost landforms, abundant wildlife and rich First Nations culture.

This park was established as a result of Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement.

The 2,200 square kilometer park is located an hour and a half north of Dawson City in the North Ogilvie Mountains and Mackenzie Mountains.

This area is one of the most important cultural and hunting sites that was traditionally used by the Hän, Tukudh and Teetl’it Gwich’in people. There are 78 known archeological sites within the Tombstone Park and archeological evidence shows human activity dating back at least 8,000 years.

The park has an abundance of raw materials for stone tools, animals and fish that supported early peoples and continue to support the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to this day.

The Dempster Highway crosses through the Park, providing year-round access to the arctic tundra landscape, rich biodiversity of plants and animals, and fascinating human history found within.

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in jointly manage the park the with Yukon Government and many First Nation citizens are employed in the management of the park.

Thanks to the Final Agreement and establishment of the Park, the ecological and cultural integrity of this area will be protected for all time.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) signed its Final and Self-Government Agreement on July 16, 1998.

Who are we?

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in means “People of the River” in Hän. Hän-speaking people have lived in this area for thousands of years. Today, TH citizens include descendants of people who spoke Hän, Northern Tutchone and Gwich’in.

Where are we?

The First Nation’s Traditional Territory lies along Yukon’s west-central border, and many of its citizens live in Dawson City, found at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon rivers.

Benefits of the Agreements

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in has an active heritage department that gathers and protects heritage resources, manages the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, preserves and teaches citizens the Hän language and has helped to revitalize the Moosehide Gathering.

Fun Fact

Klondike is actually a mispronunciation of Tr’ondëk.  To recognize the extraordinary story of survival and adaptation that took place when the traditional home of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in became the epicenter of the Klondike Gold Rush, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in has applied to have the Tr’ondëk-Klondike region designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.