Linda McDonald

Linda McDonald is a Kaska Elder and a member of the Liard First Nation and lives in Watson Lake, Yukon. Linda was raised in a traditional Kaska family, growing up on her family’s trapline seven miles north of Watson Lake in Southeast Yukon. Her childhood was busy with all that was required to live close to the land; trapping, hunting, fishing, gathering of plants, berries and other traditional pursuits. 

Linda’s post-secondary education includes a B.Ed (University of Alberta), and a Masters of Arts (Carlton University) and a Masters of Arts – Linguistics of a First Nations Language (Simon Fraser University). Linda taught Kaska Language and Culture teacher at the Watson Lake Secondary School and retired from teaching in 2022. 

Linda has spent much of her life working on issues related to protecting Kaska lands. She continues to share her parent’s lessons in natural resource management, stressing the need to proceed in ways that respect and reflect traditional Kaska values, beliefs and practices. 

Linda has been a strong advocate for revitalizing the Kaska language as well as protecting Kaska lands and resources. She has been involved with LAWS (Liard Aboriginal Womenʼs Society) LAWS since its establishment 25 years ago. Her Kaska name is Whūdzī Amā́, which means Caribou Mother.