Alfred Moses, aka Chief Tom, Ikeeah (~1871 – 1941)
Chief Alfred was the leader of seventy-five members of the McQuesten First Nation in 1903. Chief Alfred wanted information about his forty acres at the mouth of the McQuesten River, and he sought medical aid for his people. The North-West Mounted Police planned to have the steamer Vidette bring warm clothing and blankets to the First Nations at Caribou Crossing [Carcross], Whitehorse, Little and Big Salmon, Pelly and Selkirk, Moosehide, Forty Mile, and McQuesten.1)
Alfred Moses was the chief of the Na-Cho Nyak Dun at Mayo [Old Village] from 1925 to [1941]. He was often referred to as Chief Tom. He and Alice Moses had a daughter, Ella, who married Moses Lucas. Ella and Moses’ children are David “Little Dave” Moses, Alice Buyck, Flora Harper, Tommy Moses, Maggie Anderson, and Joan Ball. Little Dave Moses served as Chief at the Mayo Old Village, as did his Alfred and Alice’s grandson Albert Moses.2)
At Christmas in the 1930s, Chief Tom collected groceries, meat, and other things to make a big feast. People from Mayo came down to the Old Village where was dancing every night between Christmas and New Years. The dancing was held in Chief Tom’s big house and Little Dave played the accordion with any other musicians who came.3)
Chief Tom died at his home after a trip into town.4) Photos of Chief Tom and his wife are in the Yukon Archives.5)