Han

Han territory straddled the Yukon-Alaska boundary, extending along the YUKON RIVER from about 20 km south of Dawson northward to about 50 km south of Circle, Alaska. Before the KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH there were 3 Han BAND communities along the Yukon River: Nuclako-Fort Reliance near Dawson, Johnny's Village near Eagle and Charley's Village in Alaska, though the Han ranged far up the Klondike, Forty Mile and other rivers. Han speech is distinct from neighbouring Athapaskan languages, but there was interaction with surrounding groups. Out of a Han population of a few hundred, only about 10% speak the language.

Keywords

Native Tribes

In the spring, families moved to camps along the Yukon River where they prepared their equipment, caught whitefish and pike, and hunted moose, caribou and other game. After breakup at the beginning of summer, they joined other band members at fish camps to catch and dry king and chum salmon. Large summer communities served as points for band and intertribal festivities and for salmon fishing. As fall approached, the Han left the river to hunt, repair their caribou surrounds, and fish in smaller rivers. In late autumn they returned to the Yukon and, during the winter, intermittently left the river to hunt and operate their caribou surrounds.

Ridge Pole Lodges
These lodges of the subarctic people were quickly assembled with poles covered with bark or skins (artwork by Gordon Miller).

Social System

Han society was divided into 3 exogamous matrilineal clans. Clan membership carried responsibilities such as hospitality and protection to clan mates, and ceremonial obligations to those in opposite clans, such as cremating their dead. There was no formal tribe organization and status and band leadership were attained through individual ability and achievement. The primary social unit was the nuclear family, sometimes including elders, which often worked in partnership with a closely related family. Cross-cousins were encouraged to marry; a young man usually lived at first with his wife's parents, then established his own residence and, wealth permitting, obtained additional wives. Polyandry also was known.

Ideology
Han ideology was similar to that of other Athapaskan groups of the Yukon. Shamanism was practised by both men and women to predict the outcome of the hunt, cure illness and destroy enemies. Artistic endeavours were manifested primarily by decorations on clothing and accessories and in songs.

European Influence

Indirect European influence, principally from coastal Alaska, did not reach the Han until the end of the 18th century. After 1847 the Han dealt directly with HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY traders at Fort Yukon located in GWICH'IN territory, but the first local white settlers were American traders at Fort Reliance and Fort Eagle, 1874-85. By 1885 the focus of trade had changed from the native FUR TRADE to servicing the fledgling placer mining industry. Thereafter, the Han obtained a relatively complete line of Euro-American hardware, clothing and food staples from the trading posts. Gold strikes on the Fortymile River late in 1886 opened the isolated area to outside settlement, and within 10 years Han lifestyle was completely disrupted by the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, many of their highly acculturated descendants live in their original homeland at Dawson (including nearby Moosehead) and Eagle. The recent Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement has opened new opportunities for local industry, employment and political, social and cultural development.

See also NATIVE PEOPLE, SUBARCTIC and general articles under NATIVE PEOPLE.

Author A. MCFADYEN CLARK

Links to Other Sites

Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples
The website for the "Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples." Click on the links for feature articles about Canada's many multicultural communities, access to their extensive digital archives collection, learning modules, and much more. From "Multicultural Canada."

Languages of Canada
A comprehensive online database of languages currently in use in Canada. Also provides details about extinct languages. Check out the "language maps" for more information. Based on "Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition." From SIL International, a US website.

Yukon Native Language Centre
A superb multimedia site that offers an introduction to native languages in the Yukon. Features the Gwich'in, Hän, Kaska, Northern Tutchone, Southern Tutchone, Tagish, and Upper Tanana languages. Includes information about training programs for teachers and the public.