Salmon Drying on the shores of Lake Laberge

"They say when the fish go up the river their great-great grandmother is at the head of the creek. And that's why they go up to visit the great-great grandmother, that fish. They come back to the same place."

Of all the fish that swim the Yukon River, salmon are by far the most valuable. First Nations people have always relied on this important food source, as did early prospectors and explorers.

Yukon River salmon spend several years in the Pacific Ocean before making a long, hard journey to return to their birthplace to spawn. At Whitehorse Rapids, skilled First Nations fisher hauled salmon out of the churning waters using gaffs and spears. Every July and August, people still gather at traditional fish camps all along the Yukon River to set nets and run fish wheels during two major salmon runs.

Increased fishing and structures like the Whitehorse Dam have reduced the once abundant salmon. Today, Yukoners work with biologists and engineers to increase stocks of chinook, the "king" of salmon.

Traditional First Nations Fishing Tools
Drawings: Hilary Stewart • Indian Fishing: Early Methods on the Northwest Coast

Respected elder, Mrs. Kitty Smith, holds one of her carvings in 1988.