Situated on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in, this is a place representative of the North’s two seasons: Winter; at rest around the fire in the warmth of the circular bent pole and skin shelter.  Summer; full of light and activity, drying fish or tanning hides on filigree, elegant and sunlit structures by the edge of the river.

It is a contemporary building that listened to what a client, with much experience on the land, had to tell.  It is a building that has found a language to express the habitations and tenuous structures of a nomadic people that have made their home in a harsh climate. It has looked at these temporary structures and habitations and has let them settle into the permanence of a modern, functional building. It is a place of dance and storytelling, of collecting and showing artefacts, of gathering by the Yukon River, a refuge for the Tr’ondek Hwech’in culture and a home to its people. It is also the home of the repatriated Talking Stick.  But it is also a place to share with those who wish to visit and learn.

This project earned a 1999 Lieutenant-Governor of BC Award of Merit from the AIBC.  Completed under predecessor firm Florian Maurer Architect Ltd (ownership Jack Kobayashi and Florian Maurer).  Project Lead: Florian Maurer.