Abstract
This presentation gives a brief overview of history of Yukon First Nations starting from how the physical world was created and what events shaped life in that world until the coming of the Whiteman. This will be illustrated by a number of stories which will also make clearer how Yukon First Nations people saw the world. Some of the stories will be historical. The clan system is explained as well as how Yukon First Nations people function within that system.
A brief overview is given showing where Yukon First Nations people fit in relation to other North American Indigenous peoples and how environment dictated a certain semi-nomadic lifestyle. The presentation continues with the effects of colonization on Yukon First Nations people and tries to explain why Yukon First Nations were so easily colonized. The coming of disease and the Mission School policies as well and the takeover of all laws will be discussed. Finally a brief overview of Yukon First Nations present situation will conclude the presentation.
Biography
Ukjese van Kampen is working on a second PhD with University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland. This PhD is in Art & Design. Van Kampen’s previous PhD was earned in 2012 from Leiden University in the Netherlands and is in Archaeology. Ukjese is an independent curator, artist, researcher and a freelance Flight Instructor. He has curated a number of exhibitions in the Yukon such as in the Champagne and Aishihik Da Ku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction, the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre and Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse. As an artist van Kampen has been involved in about 100 art exhibitions worldwide. This included an exhibition and performances at Divadlo 29 in Pardubice in May 2018. As a researcher van Kampen has been contracted by Kwanlin Dun to write various historical chapters in their planned upcoming book about their history and has been involved in a number of smaller projects. As a freelance flight instructor van Kampen has 5500 hours flying, about half instructing and the other half flying as a bush pilot into remote wilderness locations in the Yukon.