Alaska News

At Moosehide Gathering, Alaska Natives keep culture alive with Canadian relatives

Every other summer, the village of Moosehide in the Yukon takes on the look of a medieval fair. Colorful tents and pavilions fill the space between old log cabins, dotting the grassy field that runs from the hilltop cemetery down to the big bank overlooking the river.

Four banners fly over the Gathering, which happens every other year. There's the tribal flag of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, the hosts of the event; the Canadian flag; the Yukon flag -- and the Alaska flag.

Few Alaskans know about Moosehide. But the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in are keenly aware of their place, a few miles east of the line between the U.S. and Canada. They have friends and relatives on the other side of that line -- Alaskans who played a crucial role in helping them resurrect their traditions and culture.

Read more: At Moosehide, one tribe reunites across border to reclaim traditions

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