Jim Boss facts for kids
Jim Boss (1871 – 17 January 1950), also known as Kashxoot or Kishwoot, was an important leader of the Southern Tutchone Ta’an Kwäch’än First Nation. He was a successful businessman and served as chief for over 40 years. He is most famous for starting the first Yukon land claim in 1902. His strong leadership helped his people move from their traditional way of life to a new economy. In 2001, he was recognized as a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.
Contents
Biography
Jim Boss was born to Mundessa and Łande. Mundessa was from Hutshi and Łande was from Tagish. Jim Boss had three sisters named Maggie, Jenny, and Susie. He also had a brother named Yandeyelh.
Early Life and Businesses
Jim Boss started his career by trading goods between Coastal and Inland First Nations communities. When the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896, he saw a new opportunity. He wanted to protect his people's rights and also make money.
He decided to open a "roadhouse" near Horse Creek. A roadhouse was like a hotel and restaurant for travelers. He ran this business with his brother-in-law, Henry Broeren. This roadhouse served the sternwheelers, which were boats that traveled on Lake Laberge. Jim Boss owned several roadhouses over time. He also had businesses in lumber and fishing. He even owned the Takhini Hot Springs. Jim Boss also taught the North-West Mounted Police how to survive in the Yukon wilderness.
Fighting for Land Rights
In 1900, Jim Boss asked the Commissioner of the Yukon for a large piece of land for his people. He wanted 1600 acres (about 647 hectares) for a reserve. However, he was only given 320 acres (about 129 hectares). Because he received less than he asked for, he decided to write a petition. A petition is a formal request, usually to a government.
In 1902, Boss hired a lawyer named T.W. Jackson. He wanted Jackson to contact the Government of Canada and King Edward VII. Jim Boss wanted them to start discussions about a treaty or land claims with the Yukon First Nations. In a letter to the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Boss demanded that Jackson write: "Tell the King very hard, we want something for our Indians because they take our land and game."
He also included an estimate of how many people were in different tribes. Before the gold rush, there were thousands of Indigenous people. But after eight years of the gold rush, his count was only 810. This was because diseases like smallpox, influenza, measles, and tuberculosis were brought by the gold rush participants. Sadly, his request was denied at that time. It wasn't until the 1970s that the issue of First Nation territory was brought up again. Jim Boss's original petition was then used to support new land claims.
Later Life and Family
In 1914, Kishwoot led his people into the bush outside of Whitehorse to escape a serious flu outbreak. By 1915, he was also running one of the Yukon's fifteen fox fur farms. This shows how many different businesses he managed throughout his life.
Jim Boss was married three times. His first wife was Kathleen Kitty, and they had a son named Fred. His second wife was Maude, and they had four children: Alice, David, Lena, and Ned. His third wife was Annie, and they had two children: Agnes and Sam.
Jim Boss passed away in the hospital on January 17, 1950, after being ill for some time.
Legacy
A person's "legacy" is the impact they leave behind after they are gone. Jim Boss left a very important legacy. On August 23, 2008, a special plaque was put up to remember him. It was placed at Helen's Fish Camp near Lake Laberge. John Baird, a Canadian minister, and Chief Ruth Massie of the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council unveiled the plaque.
At the event, Chief Massie said:
"It has always been important to our people that Chief Jim Boss be recognized and commemorated for his foresight to look after his people in our homelands forever. Chief Jim Boss was a visionary leader."
This quote means that Jim Boss was a leader who thought about the future and worked hard to protect his people and their land for generations to come.
Images for kids
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Chief Jim Boss of Lebarge and Chief John Fraser of Champagne during the 1948 Whitehorse Winter Carnival
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Boss in full war dress, 1950
