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Han, People of the River: Han Hwech'in : An Ethnography and Ethnohistory
Han People of the River Han Hwech'in An Ethnography and Ethnohistory Author:Craig Mishler, William E. Simeone The upper Yukon River basin is one of the wildest, most beautiful, and coldest places on earth. The indigenous Han Indians, whose homeland straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, traveled this country as hunters and gatherers and found a way to survive in it that exemplifies their innovation and tenacity in the face of continuous change. As a resul... more »t of the gold rush, the Han suddenly became homeless in their own homeland. This book tells the story of that displacement and of current efforts by the Han to reclaim their lands and restore a vibrant way of life. In-depth profiles of Chief Isaac, Chief Charley, and others illustrate the critical importance of traditional leadership in stressful times. Mishler and Simeone draw from archival data, their own field observations, and their oral interviews with Elders that span three decades. They discuss the fur trade, missionization, and the gold rush, as well as an analysis of Han social structure, settlement patterns, religion, subsistence, and expressive culture. A model of innovative ethnographic and ethnohistorical work, Han, People of the River makes an important contribution to anthropological and indigenous studies literature. As a vivid and deeply thoughtful depiction of the past, present, and future of the Han, it is meant everyone who cares about the history of Alaska and Canada and Native peoples.« less