Taku Jack K’hoots Jige (grizzley bear) (1849 - 1926)
Chief Taku Jack born on the Taku Arm of Tagish Lake, a member of the Yenyedi Clan. He was well known for his storytelling skills and was often surrounded by tourists down at the waterfront near the White Pass Hotel in Whitehorse. He was a gentle man with a forthright manner, a hardworking nature, and great integrity. He operated a horse pack train on the Chilkoot Trail and regularly delivered goods between Atlin and Teslin.1) Taku Jack was hired in Atlin to guide a portion of the 1906 patrol from Whitehorse to Hazelton, British Columbia.2)
Taku Jack was a silversmith and one of his trademark items was jewellry made from re-worked silver dollars. He and his wife, Emma, had six children: Leo, Henry, Johnny, Edward, Antonia, and Suzie and he was a dedicated, loving family man. He and his family travelled extensively in the Atlin area on hunting and fishing trips that lasted weeks at a time.3) Johnny Taku Jack was interviewed and recorded in 1978, and topics include river travel and events in Atlin and Telegraph Creek, British Columbia.4)