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The Kohklux Map with Rhoda Merkel

Rhoda Merkel • First Nations Programming

Rhoda will tell the story of Kohklux who was a Chief in Klukwan, near Haines, AK, in 1869 when he met George Davidson, who came to his village because it was the best spot to view the solar eclipse.  The whole village thought George was a magician who could hide the sun for a day. To show how powerful he was, Kohklux and his two wives drew from memory the trade route from Haines to Fort Selkirk - which he had control over.  It is the first known map of the Yukon.

This unit can be tailored to suit your curricular need.  With the art activity, students can explore mapping, they can illustrate a portion of the story, or they can perform the Kohklux Story play, draw a Chilkat Blanket, make craft items they can use to trade, or they can make a puppet of Kohklux or Davidson to use to retell the story. 

Grade Suitability5-12
Maximum Class Sizeclass size
Time Required2-6 hours + 2 hours prep
Material RequiredArtist will supply
Material CostTBD (approx. $5 per student)
Language of InstructionEnglish
CommunitiesAll

Rhoda Merkel

Rhoda was born and raised in the Yukon, is a member of the Tahltan Nation and is a passionate First Nation culture promoter, educator and artist. She has a studio in Atlin, B.C., where you can find her sewing, beading, painting, and moose tufting, writing, or preparing for school teaching sessions.

Rhoda has been working in Yukon schools for over more than 15 years,  and has been teaching for over 30 years. She is available to do small or big projects, in all communities, has worked in every grade level and is available for extented school projects.

Contact the artist

  • 250-651-7668 or 867-335-1761
  • .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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