Long Ago Peoples Place, an outdoor museum in the Yukon, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Founded by Harold Johnson and Meta Williams, the museum showcases Southern Tutchone culture through a collection of traditional dwellings, tools, and practices. Located on Champagne and Aishihik First Nations land, the site draws 5,000 to 10,000 visitors annually, with a significant impact on local youth who gain pride in their heritage.
Visitors start their tours around a campfire, where Williams shares stories from the wolf clan, and Johnson guides guests through the site, explaining various traditional structures and tools like fish traps and caribou fences. Over three decades, Johnson and Williams have worked to preserve and teach their culture, passing down knowledge to younger generations.
While Johnson is enthusiastic about stepping back and letting the younger generation take over, Williams finds it challenging to let go of something so personal. Still, both are committed to ensuring the next generation carries the torch, with Williams emphasizing the importance of oral storytelling in preserving their culture. Their daughter, Whitney Johnson-Ward, is gradually taking on more responsibility, aiming to enhance the camp’s language programs and continue the grassroots work initiated by her parents.
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