91社区破解版

Revised - Liberal and Yukon Party politicians have expressed regret about the passing of Percy Henry, an esteemed elder of the Tr鈥檕nd毛k Hw毛ch鈥檌n community in the Dawson City region.

Henry died last Saturday. He had been in his late 90s.

Born to Gwich鈥檌n parents, Joe and Annie Henry, the family moved to Dawson in the 1930s.

鈥淚t is with deep sadness that I mark the passing of respected and beloved elder Percy Henry,鈥� Premier Ranj Pillai said Monday.

鈥淢r. Henry was a true Dawson legend. As one of the last fluent H盲n language speakers, he tirelessly dedicated himself to sharing knowledge of his people, culture and language.

鈥淢r. Henry was a former chief of Tr鈥檕nd毛k Hw毛ch鈥檌n government and was instrumental in initiating the Yukon鈥檚 land claims process.鈥�

Henry was one of the Yukon chiefs who travelled to Ottawa in 1973 to present Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow 鈥� urging the commencement of land claims negotiations 鈥� to then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

In 2019, Henry received the Order of Yukon, the territory鈥檚 highest honour.

鈥淢r. Henry was an active elder well into his senior years and worked to keep his First Nation鈥檚 traditions and culture alive,鈥濃�圥illai said.

鈥淗e championed language revitalization through many hours devoted to mentoring learners, translating and documenting the H盲n language.

鈥淭hose with the good fortune of spending time in his company enjoyed Mr. Henry鈥檚 great sense of humour and engaging storytelling along with his infinite patience when teaching the H盲n language.鈥�

In 2021, the Tr鈥檕nd毛k Hw毛ch鈥檌n government published the H盲n-language children鈥檚 book called Sh毛tsey 鈥� My Grandpa.

The book pays tribute to the beloved Yukon elder by depicting activities that he loves and is meant to encourage people to learn. Henry co-wrote and translated the book to H盲n.

A sign at the D盲noj脿 Zho Cultural Centre quotes Henry saying: 鈥淲e need to teach our children today, so our way of life will live on.鈥�

鈥淢r. Henry embodied his philosophy,鈥� the premier said.

鈥淗is life and work made a positive difference in his community, and his important legacy lives on through the many lives he touched.

鈥淥n behalf of the Government of Yukon, I extend the Yukon鈥檚 heartfelt condolences to Mr. Henry鈥檚 family and friends, and the Tr鈥檕nd毛k Hw毛ch鈥檌n community.鈥�

Henry鈥檚 funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul鈥檚 Anglican Church in Dawson, where he had been a Deacon for many years.

The service will be live-streamed to the 脛t盲t N毛h毛j毛l (TH Community Hall), as the family knows there will be so many people attending.

鈥淚 was saddened to learn of the passing of much-respected Tr鈥檕nd毛k Hw毛ch鈥檌n elder Percy Henry,鈥� said Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon said Tuesday.

鈥淗enry certainly had a life well-lived, and his impact on the Yukon will be felt for generations to come. He was a champion for his people,鈥� Dixon said.

鈥淗e was very active in the changes happening for Yukon First Nations 鈥� a leader of note for the Tr鈥檕nd毛k citizens.

鈥淥n behalf of the Yukon Party caucus, I pass along our condolences to Henry鈥檚 family, friends, and his community.鈥�

鈥淗aving known Percy for all my life, he was a calm and patient soul, who always welcomed you with a smile,鈥� said Geraldine Van Bibber, the Yukon Party MLA for Porter Creek North.

鈥淗e will be missed for his steady quiet presence.

鈥淲e are losing these gentle giants, but Percy has left a legacy that will live on for years to come. I will attend the funeral to honour his passing and ensure our family pays the respects that this elder has earned.鈥�