A ferocious tribe, the Nakanni, is said to have lived up the Klondike River. According to Klondike Han legend, the Nakanni had once attached the Han, killing all the men and taking the women as slaves. For this reason the Han never hunted past All Gold Creek.
Before one hunt, Chief Isaac told the Dawson Daily News in 1899, his people decided to venture further into enemy territory than ever before. In preparation, the hunters performed war dances to improve their chance of success. The son of the reigning chief was chosen to lead the men. Though the tribe's shaman did not approve, and warned of disaster, the party set out nonetheless. They travelled for many days without a glimpse of their dreaded enemies, and found game in abundance. After securing all the meat they could carry home, the men of the Han prepared to return in triumph.
The evening before their return, as they slept and dreamed of the upcoming feast, the shaman's vision came true. The Nakanni attacked, winning the battle decisively. All members of the expedition were killed but two, who escaped in the darkness. They remained hidden until daylight. In the morning, they recovered their leader's body and placed it in a canoe, which floated silently downriver. The chief's heir was interred in a hollowed log coffin, so that when he reached the hunting grounds beyond he would have a canoe in which to travel.
