Pelly Crossing is the home of the Selkirk First Nation, part of the Northern Tutchone cultural and language group and a participant in the Northern Tutchone Council. Northern Tutchone is a member of the Athapaskan language family. Calculations generated by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 2004 for their internal purposes estimated the registered population of the Selkirk First Nation at 495, many of whom live in other communities. First Nations' calculations of their population numbers may differ from Government of Canada figures and may include registered beneficiaries, non-beneficiary citizens and others. The Council handles administration of community affairs. Pelly Crossing became the more permanent home of the Selkirk First Nation after the construction of the Klondike Highway in the 1950s. Previously, the Northern Tutchone people headquartered at Fort Selkirk and Minto for parts of the year while hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering in the yearly round throughout their traditional areas. With the completion of the highway, the Fort Selkirk people moved to Minto and later to Pelly Crossing. As Minto was abandoned, some people moved to Pelly, some to Mayo, some to Carmacks, some to Dawson and some to Whitehorse. The Selkirk First Nation people are closely affiliated with the Northern Tutchone groups of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation. Some members trace their ancestry to the Southern Tutchone people of adjoining areas. The Selkirk First Nation people practice the traditional moiety structure of Wolf and Crow, an integral part of which is the potlatch system.
Fort Selkirk is the location of a fur-trading fort established by Hudson's Bay Company explorer Robert Campbell in the 1840s. The fort was later burned by the Coastal Tlingits, and was rebuilt at the present site in 1850. Today, Fort Selkirk is an important heritage site and is co-managed by the Selkirk First Nation and the Government of Yukon. Many Selkirk First Nation members are employed on an annual basis, working on restoration and maintenance of the grounds and buildings at the site and interpreting the history of the site and of the Selkirk people.
In recent years, the Selkirk First Nation has been working toward community healing and revival of their traditional culture and history to deal with the effects of mission school and the associated problems. A healing camp has been constructed and a cultural museum has been established. Traditional activities such as summer fish camps and winter camping are supported through First Nations programs. Selkirk First Nation people are actively involved with other First Nations in the Yukon in the revival of stick-gambling, traditional songs and dances, and storytelling.
The Selkirk First Nation signed their land claims and self-government agreements in the summer of 1997 at a ceremony held at Minto. The agreements are being implemented. The First Nation will participate in development projects in their traditional territory, and in management of fishing and wildlife. Ta'Tla Mun, Llutsaw Wetland and Ddhaw Ghro were identified as Special Management Areas in the Final Agreement, and will be designated as Habitat Protection Areas. The Fort Selkirk site is jointly owned, planned, and managed by the Selkirk First Nation and the Yukon government. The Fort Selkirk Historic Site Management Plan, which came into effect in 2000, guides management, interpretation and preservation at the site. The First Nation is also spearheading the Dooli Traditional Law project.
