Tr’ondëk-Klondike was inscribed to the World Heritage List following the decision by the World Heritage Committee announced at the World Heritage Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September, 2023.

Tr’ondëk-Klondike is a serial property, comprised of eight distinct heritage sites that together tell the story of Indigenous experiences during the development and expansion of colonialism in their territories. These eight parts contain the most intact and outstanding physical evidence of an Indigenous peoples’ occupation of land overlain with evidence of colonial expansion, and the First Nations’ responses.

The site includes Fort Reliance, Ch’ëdähdëk (Forty Mile), Ch’ëdähdëk Tth’än K’et (Dënezhu Graveyard), Fort Cudahy and Fort Constantine, Tr’ochëk, Dawson City, Jëjik Dhä Dënezhu Kek’it (Moosehide Village), and Jëjik Dhä Tthe Zra¸y Kek’it (Black City). The lands and waters in between the component sites are not included in the site.

Composed of 335 hectares of land, the property is located within the homeland of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. The boundary encompasses component sites along parts of the Yukon River and the Blackstone River. The boundaries of the component parts were assigned to include the archaeological and historic resources that represent an Indigenous peoples’ evolving experience of, and adaptation to, European colonialism at the turn of the twentieth century.

Tr’ondëk-Klondike illustrates Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s presence in their homeland for thousands of years prior to the newcomers’ arrival and the subsequent changes in land use, livelihoods, and patterns of settlement, as well as adaptations to new economies, in response to the establishment of colonial power over a thirty-year period from 1874 to 1908. Tr’ondëk-Klondike testifies to the continuity of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in life on the land and their cultural traditions, knowledge, and practices maintained, in spite of the colonial expansion and consolidation that occurred in the Yukon.

World Heritage status will not affect Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in treaty and Aboriginal rights, resident interests, nor mining. Each of the component sites have previously had mineral staking rights withdrawn or are located within Settlement Land, identified in Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final and Self-Government Agreements. There are no active mining claims within the World Heritage Site.

There is no other place like Tr’ondëk-Klondike in the world.

The eight component sites of Tr’ondëk-Klondike have the most complete and exceptional archaeological and historic evidence that reflects an Indigenous peoples' experience of, and adaptation to, the global phenomenon known as European colonialism.

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in experience vividly echoes the experiences of Indigenous people in North, Central, and South America; Oceania; Africa; and throughout many parts of Asia during this period. Tr’ondëk-Klondike relates the many changes that occurred from 1874, when the first commercial fur trading post was constructed in Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in territories, to 1908, when colonialism was entrenched into their daily lives. Tr’ondëk-Klondike is a place that conveys the increasing colonial expansion into Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in homeland and their experiences and responses.

The evidence that relays the heritage values of Tr’ondëk-Klondike is in good condition and the component sites are protected and managed under appropriate legislation and policy. No component site is exposed to unplanned or unregulated development.

Tr’ondëk-Klondike is an exceptional site that illustrates Indigenous peoples' experiences in the face of European colonialism. No other property on the World Heritage List or Tentative Lists currently demonstrates as well, an Indigenous peoples' experience of, and adaptation to, colonialism, nor the continuity of an Indigenous peoples' culture before, during, and after the initial contact period with colonizers.

Tr’ondëk-Klondike is a remarkable illustration of what Indigenous people all around the world experienced over a 500-year period, when European nations imposed their economic, political, military, social, and cultural power on all corners of the globe.

The Stewardship Committee brings together representatives of four levels of government with regulatory, management, or administrative responsibilities for the eight component parts of the Tr’ondëk-Klondike World Heritage Site.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Parks Canada Agency, Yukon Government, and the City of Dawson are signatories to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) wherein the Parties agree to collaboratively manage Tr’ondëk-Klondike through implementation of the Tr’ondëk-Klondike Management Plan. The Stewardship Committee’s mandate is to ensure the conservation, protection, presentation, and transmission of Tr’ondëk-Klondike’s OUV to future generations.

The Stewardship Committee will not have legislated decision-making powers. Each member of the Committee will retain the authority to make independent management decisions relative to land tenure within its jurisdiction.

Proposed development within Tr’ondëk-Klondike will be subject to the legislation, regulations, assessment, and permitting processes of each government authority within their respective jurisdiction.

In addition, the Tr’ondëk-Klondike World Heritage Advisory Committee will continue to provide advice and recommendations to the Stewardship Committee. This committee includes representatives from the four governments, Klondike Visitors Association, Dawson City Chamber of Commerce, Dawson City Museum and local residents. The Advisory Committee represents community organizations with an interest in the presentation, promotion, and development of Tr’ondëk-Klondike that is compatible with its Outstanding Universal Value.

World Heritage status will first and foremost, help strengthen our community through working together and respecting each other's stories.

Recognizing the strength and bravery of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and how their participation and leadership enhanced the learning and truth that occurred during the development of the nomination has and will continue to help people understand the impacts of colonialism in the Dawson region, the Yukon, Canada and the world. The challenging and difficult lessons of reconciliation are an integral part of the story of Tr’ondëk-Klondike. World heritage status will help to relay an important story of resilience, adaptation and strength of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in as they responded to the increasing forces of colonialism; from the first newcomers venturing into their homeland to the expansion and consolidation of colonial power over the brief, intense period from 1874 to 1908.

International recognition of Tr’ondëk-Klondike provides an opportunity to enrich existing tourism activities. "Tr'ondëk - Klondike is a special place unlike any other," said former Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph, "and we want to ensure that present and future generations, as well as visitors from near and far, hear our story."

Marketing through the international lens of the globally recognized UNESCO logo can attract more visitors to Dawson City and the Yukon - including higher visitation from international tourists and increasing the potential for winter visitors.

World Heritage status will help support our efforts to diversify our economy and can stimulate business opportunities that create year-round jobs and incomes.

The local Stewardship Committee will plan for sustainable increases to visitor numbers, ensuring that visitors have access to appropriate areas of Tr'ondëk -Klondike and can appreciate the site without impacting fragile heritage areas or community use. It is an opportunity to develop and enhance programs at places such as Tr'ochëk, Forty Mile, and Dawson City and leverage funding to increase the site’s sustainability. Private areas like Moosehide, where there is no desire for tourism, will not be promoted or made accessible.