Johnny Johns was born somewhere in the Yukon bush during the Klondike Goldrush at the end of the nineteenth century. He lived in two societies - the Tlinglit Indian to which he belonged and the White which often surrounded him.

In 1902, Johnny and his two younger sisters went to a Mission School near Carcross, Yukon, as ordered by the Canadian government. After one year, Johnny's sister had died, and many of his classmates were malnourished or had tuberculosis. So Johnny's father took them out of school and Johnny went back to hunting, trapping and fishing.

At 13 he had the responsibility of caring for his family and, at 19 he was running his own business. Johnny grew up to be one of the world's most successful hunting guides and outfitters. The tourists took home the trophies, and the meat fed Johnny's extended families.

In 1942, he was hired to lead thousands of American soldiers in building the Alaska Highway. He knew the land and picked the path to lay the road, conveniently winding by his favourite fishing places.

Johnny passed away in 1988.

Length: 23:44
Original Format: Video
Originally Broadcast: July 5, 1994 on CBC Television

• The Alaska Highway - a brief history and route description.

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Jane Glassco (Toronto, Ontario) - Executive Producer and Narrator of the series, Jane also directed: Koko Kokubo and Connie Matthews.