LEO Network

25 October 2021
Background

In October 1821, Franklin survived the NWT (just). In October 2021, should his name survive here?

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Two hundred years ago this month, some Englishmen far from home were struggling for survival in the Northwest Territories’ barrenlands. Now, Yellowknife’s main street is named for the man in charge. Chief Edward Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene community of Dettah, across the bay from Yellowknife, said he and many other community members have no attachment to Franklin and the colonial history he represents.

History, Street Names, Expedition Rescue, Colonial History https://cabinradio.ca/76842/news/in-october-1821-franklin-survived-the-nwt-just-in-october-2021-should-his-name-survive-here/ **Listen to Fred Sangris telling the story of Franklin from the Yellowknives Dene perspective (scroll down the news article)

Two hundred years ago this month, some Englishmen far from home were struggling for survival in the Northwest Territories’ barrenlands. Now, Yellowknife’s main street is named for the man in charge.

Chief Edward Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene community of Dettah, across the bay from Yellowknife, said he and many other community members have no attachment to Franklin and the colonial history he represents. “He’s just another explorer like Columbus,” Sangris said. “Franklin just passed through here – he didn’t stay.” The history of the Indigenous people in the area is far more important, Sangris said, as their communities have been here for millennia and continue today.