We moved to Tagish Beach in 1971, and we were the first permanent non-First Nation’s residents on the lake.
My Dad supported our family by working as a grader operator on the roads & highways in the Southern Yukon during the spring & summer months and held the licence to trap this area and south to the BC border in the winter months. Many of the established trails used today by hikers, horseback riders, dog teams, atvs, snowmobile’s, and geo cacher’s, originated as my Dad’s trap lines trails which he would walk & flag in the summer & then clear in the fall & early winter. Dad worked the trap line with snow machine and dog team, following a dream he had as a child growing up during the depression in Saskatchewan and then Alberta.
My Mom didn’t return to work after I was born, but kept herself more than busy with large flower and vegetable gardens that became well known and drew visitors from all over the southern lakes region. She also raised chickens and sold eggs and was fondly known in the area as the “Egg Lady”. I was home schooled by Mom, from grade 1 to grade 10, a challenge in itself! Winter months were always busy, and Mom was a talented craft person, knitting sweaters, mitts, socks, and toques to keep us and other family warm and cozy during the cold winter months.
The Tagish Cemetery exists today thanks to my Dad, and he was the first permanent resident of the cemetery. Prior to the establishment of this cemetery, the nearest cemeteries were in Carcross, 20 miles away and then in Whitehorse, 70 miles away. This was very upsetting to locals who had lived in the area, some their entire lives, in the case of Tagish First Nations people. Dad spent many years, speaking with the locals, the First Nation’s community, and the Yukon Lands Branch working through the many stages needed to get the cemetery approved.
The letter advising Dad of the final approval for the cemetery came mere weeks before my father suddenly passed away from a cardiac arrest. There had been no development done for the cemetery, other than the original surveying required to establish the cemetery. Dad’s friends and neighbours immediately jumped into action and in less than a week, had the driveway, parking lot, and my Dad’s grave site surveyed, cleared of trees, and ready for his internment here, as this was Dad’s final wish, that he be laid to rest in his beloved Tagish.
Today, my parents lay side by side here in their final resting place. Many of our friends and neighbours in this area have now joined them, so as I walk through the cemetery there are many names and fond memories for myself.
Reid Road is also named after my Father.
The cache lays hidden just outside of the cemetery grounds and is not in the fence! If you wish to pay your respects to my parents, Dot and Lloyd Reid, please feel free to do so, but please remain respectful to them and our neighbours that reside here. This is not a tourist attraction, but is meant as a tribute and should be treated as such.
Blessings,
Sharleen/ Lynx Lady