Archaeology in a Northern Community art show opens Thursday

WHITEHORSE–This week Northern Tutchone artist, Dr. Ukjese van Kampen, will unveil seven paintings and mixed-media works, three sketches and several photographs that were inspired by ten days spent at an archaeological camp on the Yukon/Alaska border last summer.

van Kampen was the first ever participant in the Little John Archaeological Site Artist-in-Residence program, which was sponsored by the Yukon Arts Center’s Culture Quest program, Yukon College, and White River First Nation.

“Rather than go in with any specific ideas, I approached this opportunity with an open mind and in turn found myself influenced by a number of sources,” said Dr. van Kampen.

As artist-in-residence, van Kampen spent time participating in archaeological excavation and survey work at the Little John (Yukon) and Deadman Lake (Alaska) sites, as well as participating in the White River First Nation Cultural Camp at Snag, Yukon. The highlight of his experience was unexpectedly encountering a distant relative from Alaska.

“Martha Northway traveled from Northway, Alaska to visit me at Snag, when she heard that the grandchild of Annie Ned was there,” he said.
The visit inspired a painting of Ms. Northway which will be one of the larger pieces in the show.

“The idea of bringing an artist into the White River First Nation community was well-received,” said Norman Easton, Yukon College anthropologist and project director. “I am pleased at how this pilot project went and look forward to running it again in the future.”

The Little John Field Camp was established in 2002 and is the base for annual ethnographic and archaeological research of the Scottie Creek Borderlands Culture History Project directed by Easton since 1990. This joint White River First Nation/Yukon College project involves students and local First Nation Youth and Elders in integrated investigations of the region's history, language, and culture.

Dr. Ukjese van Kampen is citizen of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. He is a former Canadian Airborne Commando, curator and artist whose work has been exhibited in over 80 art exhibitions worldwide. His images can be found in such collections as the Finish National Museum, the Burke Museum in Seattle, the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, and the Indian Arts Centre in Ottawa.

The art show Archaeology in a Northern Community opens Thursday, January 7, at the Community Gallery at the Yukon Arts Centre. There will be an opening reception at 5 p.m. with refreshments served and Dr. Ukjese van Kampen in attendance.