HomeRomance Introduction - The Right Place at the Right TimeMap of Yukon Highlighting Communities Where Claude and Mary LivedClaude the Camera FiendLearning ResourcesFun/Promotional MaterialCredits/AcknowledgementsLinksFrançais
This bittersweet photo was one of the last Claude was to take in the Yukon: “This is the Life! My last camping in the Yukon – along the Porcupine River, July 1946.”
This bittersweet photo was one of the last Claude was to take in the Yukon: “This is the Life! My last camping in the Yukon – along the Porcupine River, July 1946.”
Yukon Archives: #8229
Old Crow
 
“ ‘Whaddo I do with myself all the time’ — I bet that’s what they all think.’ ”

“Elias and Annie off to Crow Flats”, ca. 1946.
“Elias and Annie off to Crow Flats”, ca. 1946.
Yukon Archives: #8263
Despite the tone their Christmas letter, the year had not begun well for Claude and there are signs in a journal that he briefly kept in February and March that his storekeeper’s job was becoming more than he could manage in middle age. “As for the work—well there seems to be absolutely no end to it – ever! I’ve never been really caught up ever since we landed.” (February 5, 1945. 91/112 MSS 365 f. 7 MSS 365)

Liza Steamboat scrapes a caribou skin.
Liza Steamboat scrapes a caribou skin.
Yukon Archives: #7560
His journal entries reveal an aspect of his participation in the yearly round that was missing from the Christmas letter.

At this time several of the men are out hunting—Peter and Bully Joe left a few days ago. Bruce & Moses are 2 days to the south with Frost. C. Peter and Big Joe ready to go. Yesterday & today I worked like a maniac putting up their outfits ready to get them out. Ab T & Johnny R. are also expected to go. Martha & John Kendi left a cuppla days ago…. Siwash Dan is away & Elias is ready to follow suit. Maybe most of them will be away inside a week. I hope so! (February 5, 1945. 91/112 f. 7 MSS 365)

Dorothy Netro, Kathleen Netro and Norman MacDonald enjoying oranges.
Dorothy Netro, Kathleen Netro and Norman MacDonald enjoying oranges.
Yukon Archives: #8196
Claude was denied the solace of his photography during the worst of the winter. “I’m terribly disappointed at not being able to do any photo at all!” he confessed to his diary on February 6th, 1945. Of course he was desperately busy running the store, hauling stock from caches and ice from the river, chopping kindling and just generally trying to keep Mary and himself warm. “But I certainly couldn’t use my room back of the Store [i.e. for a darkroom]! Much too cold & crowded out as a fur storage, and too, there is no possible chance to take pictures in such poor light.” (February, 6 1945. 91/112 f. 7 MSS 365)

Peter Moses, Chief of the Vuntut Gwichin, stretches muskrat skins on racks.
Peter Moses, Chief of the Vuntut Gwichin, stretches muskrat skins on racks.
Yukon Archives: #8242
In spite of these woes, Claude did manage to produce some fine work in Old Crow. Some of the portraits of the Vuntut Gwitchin are among his best, and he photographed the traditional Gwitchin life beautifully.

We’re not sure why the Tidds left Old Crow; perhaps Claude simply could not keep up with the work. Their last images of the Yukon were captured on film, as they made their final departure by boat.
Old Crow Slideshow