After the Gold Rush

DAWSON The winds of change were sweeping over Dawson. Many wives and children in the lower forty-eight waited for their men to come back from the goldfields, however not all these hapless prospectors ever returned to their families. Unprepared, some men died at the hands of nature or their fellow man, their bodies left in the forests of the Yukon to be eaten by the predators and scavengers which called this land home. Some men, hearing of a new strike in Alaska, packed up their gear and headed to try their luck in a new area. And some, tired of chasing gold, decided it was time to go home, their dreams crushed by the relentless hardships they faced daily to quench their thirst of yellow fever. The population of Dawson began to dwindle as these gold hunters moved on. Wendy, Jason, and their son, Kuzih, had moved from their cabin in the wilderness to Bev’s house in Dawson. A prior verbal agreement between Bev and Wendy had been further cemented as fact in Bev’s will, which stated Jason and Wendy would inherit the house upon her passing. The stipulations of this agreement included their responsibility to care for the donkeys in the barn and allow family members living in the forest to freely use the pack animals as needed. Bev also stated it was very important for Wendy and Jason to continue hosting Christmas celebrations, inviting their fellow trappers in the bush to their new home each year. These terms would be honoured by Wendy and Jason, who had taken up residence in the house. In addition to taking over Bev’s home, a sizable amount of money had been left to Jason and Wendy to keep the old estate running, ensuring the structures did not get dilapidated and left to lay in ruins. When Wendy and Jason moved into the house, they assumed Bev’s duties feeding the poor with donated meat kept in the large outdoor freezers on her property. Tribe members continued to drop off game when it was available, to ensure no member of their tribe went hungry. Because of the upheaval Bev’s death brought to Jason and Wendy’s lives, they desperately needed a break. This coming summer, the couple hoped to take a one-week canoe trip, without their son, down a tributary of the Yukon River. Final decisions would be made later regarding this trip; for now, it was something they both looked forward to. Wendy walked to the barn to feed Omar, Honey, and Baby Jack. She loved feeding the donkeys, which belonged to various relatives and were boarded at Bev’s barn. When alone with these animals, memories of Bev flooded Wendy’s consciousness, pleasant thoughts about her favorite aunt, never to be forgotten. BLACK HAWK AND WHITE DOVE The snow had arrived in the Yukon in mid-November, covering the land in a blanket of white. Black Hawk and White Dove sat in their cabin, with their dog Nicky. The heat created by the wood burning in the stove sent warm air radiating throughout their home. A steady column of grey smoke spewed from the chimney, disappearing into the cloud-filled sky above. Suddenly Nicky’s ears perked up, the dog had heard something. Moments later, the couple heard the distant sound of dogs barking. Black Hawk opened the front door of their cabin and looked outside. Travelling across the lake, in the direction of their cabin, were two dogsleds. The men mushing the sleds were Black Hawk’s father, Bear Claw, and his uncle, Broken Arrow. Black Hawk’s father was delivering the dog team he had promised his son. Within a half hour, the sleds pulled up in front of the wilderness cabin. Bear Claw reached out for his son and daughter-in-law, hugging both tightly. White Dove had placed a kettle of water on the hot cooktop of the stove to make coffee they had been gifted yesterday. Two Mounties from Dawson, on a routine patrol checking wilderness cabins, had stopped in just the day before. After passing an inspection and wellness check by the Mounties, the couple had been gifted coffee and sugar, with a farewell wish for a safe and merry Christmas. White Dove was pleased she could now offer the hot beverage to her visiting family. The group retreated into the warm cabin, thankful for the hot coffee. After resting, the men got to work unloading the sleds. Broken Arrow’s sled was loaded with supplies donated by the tribe to help the young couple get through their first winter alone in the bush. Bear Claw had carried with him twenty pounds of moose meat and a similar amount of venison for the young couple. Black Hawk and White Dove had been subsisting on rabbits and grouse, making the venison and moose a delicious change of taste. The men put the supplies in their rightful places and then got Black Hawk’s new dog team settled in the yard he had ready for them. They fed and watered the animals, hoping the huskies would adapt well to their pristine environment, living at the cabin. White Dove extended an invitation to Black Hawk’s father and uncle, asking them to spend the night. She had taken venison and left it near the woodstove to thaw, planning to cook the meat for dinner. Returning to the cabin, the men enjoyed spending time together, discussing everyone back home. Black Hawk told his father about the moose hunt he had been invited to participate in. He told his father he had delivered the dog team at just the right time, as he could now join the hunt and if it was a success, use his dogsled to bring a load of meat home. White Dove cooked the venison, sending everyone, including Nicky, to sleep with a full stomach. Bear Claw told his son he was pleased to finally see where the couple were living and was glad they had made out so well. Bear Claw and his brother left early the following morning. The group embraced, saying goodbye, and wishing each other good luck. Quiet settled over the cabin when their company left, making Black Hawk and White Dove feel a bit lonely. However, they were happy to be living on their own in the bush, relying on one another. Black Hawk and White Dove went outside to check on their new dog team. With the addition of the dogs his father gave them, their chances of surviving the winter was assured, not a given in this land which offers few friendly gestures.