Big Jim Fred (d. 1943)

Big Jim Fred was born at Noogaayik, a village on the Alsek/Tatshenshini River. He had a house in Nesketaheen where he lived with his first wife. He moved out after she died, and she is buried in that graveyard. They had children, two of whom were Casey and Bessie Fred. Big Jim's house was by Paddy Duncan's and it was built around 1900. Big Jim's mother was called Kwasne. E.J. Glave's party drew a sketch of her in 1890 and spelled her name Koosenay. Glave said that Koosenay was the wife of the second chief, Ick Ars. Ick Ars was a former Wolf chief. Big Jim found gold along Dollis Creek and there was a gold rush there in 1928.¹⁾