John Semple (1945 – 2012)
John Semple was born in Dawson to parents Happy Jack Lasky and Alice Semple. He was raised in Moosehide and spent time with his family in the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and on the family fish wheel. He was a victim of residential school and struggled with the effects through his life. His solace was time spent out on the land and river. He was an energetic volunteer and taught at many culture camps and workshops. He loved talking to people, sharing stories, and making people laugh. He received mail from all over the world, and the tourists he met would say that time spent with John was the highlight of their trip. During his life, he worked at the Clinton Creek mine, did many carpentry jobs, served as a councillor for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government, and was a caretaker at Ancient Voices and Forty Mile. John was a talented artist, craftsman, and teacher. He was a generous and kind spirit with some wolverine showing if he saw things he didn’t like.1)