Edith “Edi” Ellen Bohmer, nee Dickson (1932 - 2009)
Edi Bohmer was born in Carcross to parents James Richard “Buck” and Lillian Ann (Henderson) Dickson. She was granddaughter to Patsy and Edith Henderson of Carcross and Louise and T.A. Dickson of Kluane. Edith spent her childhood between Carcross and the Dickson family homestead on the Kluane River. She lived at St. Paul’s Hostel and attended residential school in Dawson and returned to Kluane in 1948 when her mother died. She met and married D. L. Bohmer in 1949 and they lived in Koidern, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, and Whitehorse. After four children were born, she decided to work and began a remarkable career.1)
Bohmer was one of the women who met in January 1974, determined to be part of the decision-making process on issues that affected Yukon First Nation women. Those who attended that first meeting included Edi Bohmer, Lorraine Joe, Margaret Joe, Frances Woosley, Josephine Muff, Pat Delaney, Kathy Rear, Pat Martin, Maxine Grant, and Emma (Kaushee) Harris. Their group was initially called the Yukon Indian Women’s Council and later became the Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council (YAWC).2) The Council gained public recognition for their stand against the sale of cheap knock-off crafts from Hong Kong and Japan, and the use of Indigenous burial grounds as tourist attractions. The women were instrumental in founding Kaushee’s Place to support women and children and were involved in leadership training, education, and national lobbying through the National Committee for Indian Rights for Indian Women and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.3)
In 1974, Bohmer was appointed to the Alaska Highway Pipeline Inquiry panel. The pipeline was proposed after Thomas Berger delayed the construction of a pipeline along the Mackenzie Valley. Justice Ken Lysyk was the chair and Willard Phelps was also on the panel. There were debates in the Yukon about the economic advantages and the social disadvantage of putting in a pipeline.4)
Edith Bohmer was predeceased by her parents, husband, and long-time companion P. W. Frankish. She was the matriarch of the Gaanaxtedi Clan.5)