Yukon who is who

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Mary Battaja (b. 1942)
	
Mary Battaja is a Na-Cho Nyak Dun Elder, born to parents Alice and David Hager with sisters Michelle (Joni) and Marjorie Profeit. Mary and Lino Battaja’s children are Chayenne, Lino, Morgan and Duane (1962 – 2025).((Duane Robert Battaja, Celebration of Life pamphlet.))

Mary Battaja was ordained into the Anglican Church by Rev. Don Sax. In 1994-95, Don and Lee Sax lived in Dawson and covered St. Paul’s Anglican church there and St. Luke’s in Old Crow. Don started the Bishop’s School of Native Ministries and a number of people were ordained including Dr. Ellen Bruce, Effie Linklater, and Mary Battaja.((Don and Lee Sax, “Where Are They Now?” //Northern Lights,// Summer/Fall 2005: 5.))

There is an audio record of several parts of a Yukon Native Language Centre project where Mary Battaja talks about traditional life on the land, family and residential school, growing up a traditional child, and has a conversation with Emma Alfred. The audio can be found on the 2025 Yukon Native Language website.(( NRC Project – First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun – Northern Tutchone language - Yukon Native Language Centre))

The Yukon First Nation Education Directorate has posted four short Mary Battaja videos completed under Training Resources for Early Education & Schools, TREE Network. //Naming a Baby// includes spiritual beliefs and traditional practices for naming a child. //Traditional Visits// includes the selection process for naming a chief and the rules for the community during traditional visits. //Traditional Law// is about that topic. In, //Spirits After Death// Mary explains why pregnant mothers and children were traditionally not allowed to attend funerals or be near the dead.((Training Resources for Early Education & Schools 2025 website: Mary Battaja: Naming A Baby - TREES Network)) The Yukon Archives holds a NEDAA film called Yukon Sewing Styles that includes Mary Battaja talking about sewing: how she learned and the importance she places on her artwork.((Yukon Archives, NEDAA – Yukon Indian Art Show, V-162-1. 2025 website: V_0162_Index.pdf))