New website in memory of John Ross honours Gwich’in athletes

When James Ross began writing the story of his brother, John Ross, he only intended for it to be something to share with his children and grandchildren. But as James did his research, he realized more people could “benefit from this story of remembering our forgotten athletes.”

James and his brother are from Fort McPherson. John was a paddler in the 1967 Centennial Voyageur canoe race, a boxer, boxing coach and cross-country skier. In 1974, James said, John and his wife Gloria were killed in a fire in their Fort McPherson shack.

James decided to make Gwaandak – which means stories in Gwich’in – a website rather than a book because it is more accessible, particularly for youth.

“It’s become a living website because I keep adding pictures, I keep adding interviews as people learn about the website,” said James.

“They could look at it for two minutes and come back to it the following month and listen, read a little more.”

Alongside written stories on Gwaandak about the Old Crow skiers, the 1960s paddlers, and skiers in the Territorial Experimental Ski Training program, James publishes podcast interviews with athletes like Ben Charlie and Ernie Lennie.

“I wanted to portray them as champions,” said James about the athletes who were often excelling in their athletic disciplines, while also attending residential schools.

“No matter what they were going through and being put through, they adapted and they became incredible in their sports achievements.

“I thought that was important for people to learn as we go through challenges today. That when you look, you can always find the light at the end of the tunnel. All is not lost.”

James said sports and the athleticism of Gwich’in people are central to Gwaandak because he wants to inspire youth with the strength and success of athletes like John.

“What our young people have to realize is we come from ancestors who lived on the land year-round and to do that they had to be physically fit, mentally strong, learn to adapt to any situation,” said James.

“There’s a lot of our people to be proud of.”