People say home is where the heart is.
If that’s true, then people who live and visit Mayo,Yukon, can say they have new a home away from home.
On Thursday, the community officially opened Ihdzi’, which means “heart” in Northern Tutchone.
Ihdzi’ is the product of a partnership between the First Nation of Na Cho Nyak Dun, the First Nation’s development corporation, and Yukon University.
The multi-use space is designed to allow people to get together, have a meal, and enjoy art and culture.
“It’s perfect timing,” said Dawna Hope, Chief of the First Nation of Na Cho Nyak Dun. “Especially coming out of COVID.”
“[We’re] trying to re-establish all those gatherings again. Our council is trying to take back ceremonies and traditions, and trying to find paths to where we used to be with our ancestors.”
The two-level building comes with a full commercial kitchen, a seating area for patrons, and a gallery where local artisans can display their work.
In the basement of Ihdzi’, Yukon University has a open space to hold programming.
Hope said the vision for Ihdzi’ started with a sewing program organized by staff who work at Yukon University’s Mayo campus.
‘Heart is full’
For Hope, Ihdzi’ holds a special place in her own heart. She said she joined the sewing group before becoming chief.
“For me this was the start of my healing journey,” she said. “After we lost our daughter to toxic poisoning on Truth and Reconciliation day 2021 I joined this sewing program. It really helped me get through the hard times.”
“All of the ladies were feeling impacts from external issues related to some of the impacts we’re experiencing here so it was a really good opportunity to hold each other up and when I think of Ihdzi’ now, it means heart but to me my heart is full every time I think of it because of all of the connections I made through my journey.”
Now that Ihdzi i’s open to the public, Hope said she hopes that it will act as a place where people can meet, eat, and heal together.
“My heart is full,” she said. “We’re going to take all of the bad things that happened in Mayo and push them down and just shine and bring light back to the community.”
For the health of the community
Trevor Ellis is the town’s Mayor.
Mayo mayor Trevor Ellis said the community has had a rough couple of years and it’s nice to see something positive like Ihdzi’ bringing people together again.
“It’s very important to have places to go and be together,” he said. “Being together centred around arts and culture is really important for the health of the community, and I think that space accomplishes that goal.”
Ellis said Ihdzi’ will be a place to visit friends, and make new ones. He said he is looking forward to spending his time there enjoying a good cup of coffee, a great meal, and better conversations with those who are there.
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