YUKON EDUCATION
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Yukon First Nations Languages

​There are eight First Nations languages spoken in the Yukon. Each language group has distinct dialects, and many have more than one community residing within its larger nation. The loss of language is the loss of an enormous wealth of knowledge.
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There are eight First Nations languages spoken in the Yukon

Gwich’in
Old Crow
Chandalar (Alaska)
Fort McPherson, (NWT)

Gwich'in Language
The Gwich’in Athapaskan language has also been known as Loucheux, Kutchin and Tukudh. It is spoken in northern Yukon, northeast Alaska and in the northwest corner of the Northwest Territories.

Language Resource Links

First Voices - Vuntut Gwich'in Community Portal
Yukon Native Language Centre - Gwich'in
Southern Tutchone
Kluane Kloo Lake                                            Klukshu
Aishihik                                                            Champagne
Hutshi                                                               Laberge

Southern Tutchone Language
Southern Tutchone, one of seven Athapaskan languages in the Yukon, is spoken in the southwestern part of the territory. Many Southern Tutchone people spend part of the year in subsistence activites, hunting, fishing and trapping in their traditional ranges.

Language Resource Links

First Voices - Southern Tutchone Community Portal

Yukon Native Language Centre - Southern Tutchone

Hän
Dawson City
Arctic Village (Alaska)

Hän Language
The Hän language is spoken in two communities: Dawson City, Yukon and Eagle, Alaska. The speakers of the language are called Hän Hwëch'in which means, "people who live along the (Yukon) River." It is closely related to the Gwich'in and Upper Tanana languages.

Language Resource Links


First Voices - Hän Community Portal
Yukon Native Language Centre - Hän
Tagish
Carcross
Tagish

Tagish Language
Tagish was spoken in the southern lakes area of the Yukon, mainly at Marsh Lake, Carcross and Tagish Lake. Linguistically, Tagish is closely related to Kaska and Tahltan. Lucy Wren is one of a few individuals remaining who retain some knowledge of the language.

Language Resource Links


First Voices - Tagish Community Portal
Yukon Native Language Centre - Tagish

Kaska
Ross River
Watson Lake
Lower Post (BC)

Kaska Language
Kaska is spoken in the southeastern Yukon in the communities of Ross River, Watson Lake and Upper Liard, and in northern British Columbia in the communities of Lower Post, Fireside, Good Hope Lake, Dease Lake and Muncho Lake.

Language Resource Links


First Voices - Kaska Community Portal
Native Language Centre - Kaska
Tlingit
Carcross
Teslin
Atlin (BC)

Tlingit Language
Tlingit is spoken primarily in the communities of Carcross, Teslin, Atlin B.C., and a large number of Alaskan First Nation peoples. In spite of the geographic range of the language there is relatively little dialect diversity and all speakers can understand each other.

Language Resource Links


Yukon Native Language Centre - Tlingit

Northern Tutchone
Big Salmon
Little Salmon
Fort Selkirk Mayo

Northern Tutchone is spoken in the Yukon communities of Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Stewart Crossing, Carmacks, and Beaver Creek. Northern Tutchone is part of the Athabaskan language family.
​
Language Resource Links


Yukon Native Language Centre - Northern Tutchone
Upper Tanana
Beaver Creek

Language Resource Links

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Yukon Native Language Centre - Upper Tanana

In Part 5 of the Education Act, the Government of Yukon requires that First Nations languages be taught in Yukon schools. With the exception of Tagish, all of the Yukon First Nations languages are being taught as second-language programs in 22 Yukon schools.
Yukon Schools - First Nations Language Programs
Language
Gwich'in


Northern Tutchone



Kaska



Tlingit



Southern Tutchone









Upper Tanana

Hän

Community
Old Crow
Whitehorse

Carmacks
Mayo
Pelly Crossing

Ross River
Watson Lake


Carcross
Teslin
Whitehorse

Destruction Bay
Haines Junction
Whitehorse







Beaver Creek

Dawson City

School
Chief Zzeh Gittlit School
F.H. Collins Secondary School

Tantalus School
J.V. Clark School
Eliza Van Bibber School

Ross River School
Johnson Elementary School
Watson Lake Secondary

Ghùch Tlâ Community School
Teslin School
F.H. Collins Secondary School

Kluane Lake School
St.Elias Community School
Elijah Smith Elementary School
Hidden Valley School
Jack Hulland Elementary
Porter Creek Secondary School
Selkirk Elementary School
Takhini Elementary School
Whitehorse Elementary School

Nelnah Bessie John School

Robert Service School

Grades
K-9
8-12

K-12
K-12
K-12

K-12
K-7
8-12

K-9
K-9
8-12

K-8
K-12
K-7
K-7
K-7
8-12
K-7
K-7
K-7

K-9

K-12

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Last modified: July 20, 2021