The Da Kų Nän Ts’étthèt Dance Festival brought three days of traditional dance and Indigenous-led workshops to Yukoners and visitors at the Da Kų̀ Cultural Centre in Haines Junction from June 13 to 15.
The biannual celebration of Yukon First Nations cultural heritage began Friday evening with a performance by the Dakwäkäda Dancers. According to the Da Kų̀ Cultural Centre website, the group aims to teach young people the traditions of song and dance in Southern Tutchone and Tlingit cultures.
Saturday’s programming began with a ceremonial opening that included fire lighting, prayer songs and a grand march led by the Dakwäkäda Dancers. Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Barb Joe and other Indigenous leaders offered words of welcome, cultural pride and unity. A moment of silence was held in honour of Mira Egli, a community member who died April 28.
Several hands-on workshops took place Saturday, offering participants a chance to connect with traditional First Nations culture through art and craft. Attendees learned to make birch bark baskets, wire-beaded flowers, fish scale pendants and medicine bag necklaces, each rooted in Indigenous practices.
Sunday’s workshops continued to celebrate and share First Nations traditions through interactive, hands-on experiences. Participants explored the healing properties of plants in a traditional tea medicine session and learned to make skin-care salves using natural ingredients, both practices grounded in Indigenous knowledge of the land.
The Sunday afternoon program opened with performances by the Haa Ku.oo Tuwáadax dancers from Klukwan, Alaska, followed by the Tagish Nation Dancers, Kluane Singers and Teechik Gwich’in Dancers from Old Crow. Each group brought its own regional styles and stories to the stage, showcasing Indigenous cultures across the North.
A Grouse Dance and dance contest were held in honour of Field Graham, celebrating his legacy through movement and community participation. The program continued with performances by Daghaklaan K’e and the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, before the Dakwäkäda Dancers returned to close the festival.
A potlatch bag giveaway honoured the dance guests, and closing remarks from Councillor Sharmane Jones reflected the spirit of gratitude and unity that defined the weekend.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
