Tributes are pouring in to recognize the achievements and mourning the loss of reconciliation pioneer and renowned keeper of the Hän language Percy Henry who recently passed away in his 90s.
“It is with deep sadness that I mark the passing of respected and beloved Elder Percy Henry,” an April 8 statement from Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai reads.
“Mr. Henry was a true Dawson legend. As one of the last fluent Hän language speakers, he tirelessly dedicated himself to sharing knowledge of his people, culture and language.”
Pillai’s statement notes that Henry, a former chief of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, was a key force behind initiating the land claims process in the Yukon. He was among the Yukon chiefs who travelled to Ottawa in 1973 to present Together Today For Our Children Tomorrow to Pierre Elliot Trudeau, the prime minister at that time.
The presentation of this document set the groundwork for the Umbrella Final Agreement and the modern treaties with Yukon First Nations that followed.
Henry received the Order of Yukon in 2019.
“Mr. Henry was an active elder well into his senior years and worked to keep his First Nation’s traditions and culture alive. He championed language revitalization through many hours devoted to mentoring learners, translating and documenting the Hän language,” Pillai’s statement reads.
“Those with the good fortune of spending time in his company enjoyed Mr. Henry’s great sense of humour and engaging storytelling along with his infinite patience when teaching the Hän language.”
Tributes were also rendered by the leader of the Official Opposition Yukon Party and one of its MLAs.
“Henry certainly had a life well-lived, and his impact on the Yukon will be felt for generations to come,” reads the statement from Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon.
“Having known Percy for all my life, he was a calm and patient soul, who always welcomed you with a smile. He will be missed for his steady quiet presence,” stated Porter Creek North MLA Geraldine Van Bibber.
“We are losing these gentle giants, but Percy has left a legacy that will live on for years to come. I will attend the funeral to honour his passing and ensure our family pays the respects that this elder has earned.”
As memorial services for Henry approach, a fundraiser launched by former Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in chief Roberta Joseph is hoping to bring his family members who live outside the territory home to honour his memory. It notes that some family members live in British Columbia and others are as far away as Minnesota.
“Some of the immediate family members have already been experiencing hardship through lengthy illness and have exhausted their funds by making a trip to visit him during his time in the hospital and while he was ill,” the description of the fundraiser reads.
“As Percy made many sacrifices as a past [Yukon First Nation] leader, let’s honour him by bringing his family members home, as family meant everything to him. He would’ve been so grateful that we are holding up his family during their time of great sadness, as he had held up our peoples in the Yukon for many years during his leadership.
“Thank you all so much for helping out and supporting this important endeavor. Blessings on each one of you.”
The fundraiser is seeking to raise $15,000 and had made $1,725 at press time.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com