Yukon First Nation Artist Creates Epic Outdoor Art Installation

Winter in the Yukon is coming to an end for another year, which means the short, dark days are beginning to see more of the beautiful Yukon sun.

To celebrate the change of seasons and welcome the light, Travel Yukon recently worked with Megan Jensen, a local Formline Tlingit artist and member of the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, to create a video showcasing her unique artistry. This cinematic short film is not only underscored by Megan telling the Tlingit story of how Raven brought light to the world; it also features her largest temporary art installment to date — in the snow.

Using snowshoes, Megan created the art piece on a lake within the traditional territories of the Carcross Tagish and Kwanlin Dün First Nations and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. The total artwork area measures 1.62 acres and 300 ft. (91.44 m) in diameter — the piece honours the traditional Tlingit story. As a Formline Tlingit artist, Megan’s traditional style is a cultural treasure that has been passed down for generations. But of course, like every great artist, Megan has her own personal touch.

To accomplish this massive undertaking, Megan’s design was brought to life with careful planning by her, local filmmakers from TSU North, and Vancouver-based creative agency, Cossette. With help from the film crew and their innovative aerial photography techniques, she produced this epic work of art, while sharing a timeless story about how the world saw light for the first time. The final Raven design took 15,400 snowshoe steps to complete over the course of 11 hours, and a total of 60 drone flights to capture it all on video.