Canada’s Northern House features cultural treasures from across the North, including original works of Yukon art on loan from the Yukon Permanent Art Collection. The work of nine Yukon artists is presented throughout the house: Ted Harrison, Jim Robb, Jackie Ziehe, Jim Logan, Ann Smith, Allen Edzerza, Eileen Sembsmoen, Eugene Alfred and Tom Dickson.
A colourful depiction of Yukon life by Ted Harrison hangs in the Lower Gallery of the House. Harrison’s iconic style is showcased in this scene with a swirling sky at sunset, a river running through mountains to a luminous yellow green lake and geese flying south. A family walking with a dog and ravens reveals a vignette of northern life, a hallmark of Harrison’s work. He moved to Carcross in 1968 and spent the next 25 years living and working in the Yukon. Harrison received the Order of Canada in 1987 for his work as an artist.
A traditional blanket by weaver Ann Smith also hangs in the House. A former chief of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation in Whitehorse, Smith has been weaving traditional Ravenstail and Chilkat blankets and regalia since the early 1990s using ancient twining techniques. A typical robe takes more than eight months of full-time work to complete. Smith has become an integral part of the revival of the nearly lost Ravenstail tradition.
Smith completed her first Ravenstail piece, a robe called Box Within a Box in 1994. As she worked on the piece, she envisioned her son dancing in it one day. It has been loaned from the Canadian Indian Art Collection for her son Sean to wear when he dances as part of Yukon’s cultural contingent at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Yukon Permanent Collection, representing a blend of Yukon contemporary and traditional art practice, belongs to the people of Yukon and serves as a reflection of Yukon’s heritage and culture. Visitors can view these original works until Canada’s Northern House closes in mid-April.