NorthConstruction is now complete on the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation’s elders complex. The building will allow First Nation elders to live independently while still being close to resources and assistance.Tenants can start moving in as early as in two weeks timeChris MacIntyre · CBC News · Posted: Oct 30, 2025 7:17 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 30Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation’s elders complex located in Dawson City’s downtown core. The building is meant to provide elders a place to live independently while still having access to support. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)There are two types of buildings people will notice when visiting Dawson City, Yukon. On one hand there’s the older, gold-rush style look of buildings. On the other hand, there’s a style that only can be described as modern meets cultural.The latter is how the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation’s new $9.8 million elders complex can be described.Walking up the front steps into the main entrance gives the feel you’re walking into a cozy cabin, with all of the modern amenities.The main area has a commercial kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances. It also has a seating area with couches that have been strategically placed in front of a large fireplace to provide a sense of comfort.The elder’s complex also has four, one-bedroom units, and two, two-bedroom units – and all of them are accessible.Darren Taylor, Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin’s Chief, said the building, which is located on the corner of Third Avenue and York Street, is meant to provide elders a place to live independently while still having access to support.”It’s close to our government offices … our health and social department, our heritage department. So we’re able to provide a lot of services in-house here,” he said. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation Chief, Darren Taylor, says the facility is for elders, so it was important they have a say what’s in it. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)Taylor said the entire building was designed with the help of local elders. The reason behind that, according to Taylor, was simple. It’s for them, so they should have a say what’s in it.”They requested some logs on the entrances just giving that traditional feel,” Taylor said. “Obviously once you get inside, it’s much like any modern building but regardless of that, we still incorporated some aspects of traditional cabins and colors.”Taylor said this project, like many other infrastructure projects on the First Nation’s traditional territory, is a statement to not just say ‘we’re here’ but to say ‘we’re thriving’ as a First Nation and a community.Each of the units are already spoken for, he said, and it’s likely tenants will begin to move in as early as in two weeks time.”It’s a government initiative that all governments embark upon on behalf of their membership and citizens so really, all it boils down to is providing adequate facilities so that we can have good quality programs and service delivery,” he said. The elder’s complex has four, one-bedroom units, and two, two-bedroom units – and all of them are accessible. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)Dawson City’s mayor Stephen Johnson attended the grand opening event on Thursday morning.Johnson said the building is another way to honour elders in the community and those who are no longer around in a way that words couldn’t express.”We honour the contributions not just with words but with action with a space that reflects dignity, comfort, and cultural pride,” Johnson said, “The elders of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin are keepers of the language, of land, of spirit and culture.””To the elders, mä̀hsi’ cho.” ABOUT THE AUTHORChris MacIntyre is a CBC reporter in Dawson City, Yukon. If you have a story idea or news tip you’d like to share you can reach him at chris.macintyre@cbc.ca or @chriswhereyouat on X.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation opens its $9.8M elders complex in Dawson City, Yukon
