HALF DAY YUKON CULTURAL DISCOVERY TOUR BY LUXURY LIMO VAN

Finally a tour dedicated to shifting focus away from the hype of the Klondike Gold Rush and all it's players; and instead focusing on the rich Indigenous history of this area and the impacts of the Gold Rush had on the land, it's peoples, and the animals that call Yukon home.  Explore with luxury and room to stretch out in our full sized limo van which holds up to 7 guests. This is the most comfortable van in Skagway! Why cram into a minivan when you can stretch out in style?

This four hour sightseeing tour to the Yukon BC border spends the time focusing on the rich Indigenous culture of the area and a vital culture that was intentionally suppressed for well over a hundred years. This tour is dedicated to shining a light on the history that needs to be shared for the healing to begin. A lot of my tours end up evolving entirely into this focus when I sense I have a group hoping for a deeper look at the area and multilayered aspects of history. I felt it was time to just create a tour that expresses this focus so we can just jump right into the deep end and skip over the process if easing through a superficial version of history before cranking up the heat!

From the non-Indigenous perspective of a born and raised Alaskan, and a 48 year resident of Shgagwéi, Lingit Aní ,we will explore together the rich stories of this land without shying away from the stark painful history it holds.  We will share history of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada and the scarring effects of the Choulta residential school in Carcross and throughout Yukon and northern BC. We will also shine light on the dark history Skagway holds around the Pious X Mission Boarding School and the Alaskan Indigenous children from all corners of our massive state who were taken from their families, stripped of their culture, and brought to Skagway from 1932-1960.

With the  unprecedented granting of Self-Governance by the Canadian Government to the Northernmost Canadian tribal groups, we are at the right place at the right time to see things being put back into alignment. Much healing has to be done to repair cultures that were intentionally destroyed and it is happening in this very corridor we travel on the 4 hour Half Day Yukon Cultural Discovery Tour. This tour creates a platform to learn about this pivotal time in Shgagwéi and Carcross history. We open the conversation to focus on understanding, education, reconcilliation, and reparations; however that may unfold while on tour. Each tour serves to create a more authentic picture of the history of this region and state, and creates a platform where guide and guests each have the chance to learn and grow while spending the day driving through some of the most gorgeous land on earth. As much as your guide is interested in this focus, she is admittedly NOT an expert and it's with reverence and humility I tour on lands that deserve a voice with Indigenous memory. Until that time comes, I hope to hold space with respect, curiosity and truth.

Your guide will try and give you a few Lingít words to try out. Historically I always thank an animal when I get a chance to see one. On this tour (spoiler alert: I do this on most my tours) we will thank the animal in Tlingit and use it's Lingít name...they love that and will come back to be appreciated again if you do).

This is a huge topic and more than a mere 4 hours can cover. You will leave with more reverence for the land you visit and the great history of our Indigenous stewards.

Each tour is customized for each group, so specific timing and itinerary will vary from tour to tour. 

Tours depart at 7:30 am and 2:30pm. 100 miles round trip.

***If you really want to geek out and have the time to read before we meet, I suggest reading two amazing books; 'Across the Shaman's River' by Dan Henry of Deishu/Haines, Alaska and 'True Reconciliation: How to be a force of change" by Jody Wilson-Raybould.

THIS TOUR JOURNEYS UP TO THE WHITE PASS SUMMIT (parallel to the train route) AND INCLUDES THESE STOPS OR DRIVE BY LAND MARKS:

*Rocky point, Brackett's wagon road and White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad tracks
*Scenic scrap metal heap and city trash incinerator
*US Customs
*Pitchfork Falls and Goat Lake Hydro Pipeline
*Bridal Veil Falls and White Pass City valley
*Moore Creek Bridge
*Welcome to Alaska Sign and White Pass Summit

*Journey 35 miles beyond White Pass summit

*International Falls
*Sub Alpine terrain
*Multiple hanging glaciers
*Views of Summit/Fraser Lake
*Canadian Customs
*Yukon Suspension Bridge
*Tutshi Boat Launch
*Tutshi panoramic view
*Windy Arm of Tagish Lake
*Sherry's favorite photo stop
*Welcome to the Yukon sign
**Opportunity to visit Tagish Lake Kennels summer mushing camp to
pet puppies and/or enjoy the thrill of mushing with a dog cart rides
(admission required). Depending on our timing and schedule we might be able to work in a 15-20 puppy petting stop. 

FYI: We would need and additional hour to add a cart ride stop to this tour.