Sidars, Vera,

The origins of the Alaska Yukon Pioneers can be traced back to December 1, 1894, when the Yukon Order of Pioneers was organized at Forty Mile, Yukon Territory. The motto of the Grand Lodge, Y.O.O.P., was to "Do Unto Others as You Would be Done By." Membership was initially limited to Caucasian men who had been in the North prior to 1897, but the requirements were later changed to include men who had "been within the water-shed of the Yukon River, prior to the first day of July, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-nine (1899) and must be a man of truth, honor and integrity." (1912 Constitution and By-Laws) The Order celebrated each anniversary of "Discovery Day" (August 17th) as a holiday, a tradition that continues in the Yukon to this day. It was on August 17, 1986, that George Carmack discovered gold at Bonanza Creek. In 1899, the Arctic Brotherhood was formed on board the ship City of Seattle as she steamed for Skagway. Eleven men, discovering they were on a return trip to the North, celebrated the occasion by forming an organization of "Arctic Brothers." When these men and others like them spread throughout Alaska, following the gold to places like Nome, Candle, Teller, and Iditarod, it wasn't long before every northern frontier town and mining settlement had its own Arctic Brotherhood chapter. Eventually, 32 "Camps" were established; and, at the peak of popularity, they claimed to have 10,000 members. The group Pioneers of Alaska was organized in 1907, when a number of Alaskans were denied membership in the Yukon Order of Pioneers, due to the residency requirement. The relative newcomers decided they should have their own pioneers group to represent Alaskans to Congress, to support mining programs, and to promote social and business connections among its members. The Nome Igloo was the first, and many others followed, all fraternal organizations under the banner Pioneers of Alaska. In 1908, the various groups gathered in Nome to unite Alaska's pioneers in a permanent organization: the Grand Igloo. Quoting the organization's constitution, its purpose is to "preserve the names of all of Alaska's pioneers on its rolls; to collect and preserve the literature and incidents of Alaska's history, and to promote the best interests of Alaska." As Alaska's early pioneers moved out of Alaska, social organizations formed in the lower 48 to continue to preserve the records and accomplishments of the Pioneers of Alaska and the Yukon. Among the purposes for which the sister fraternal societies were formed was to "promote sociability and friendship among its members, and to manage and conduct Lodge meetings conventions, entertainments, excursions, and social meetings." The Alaska Yukon Pioneers formed in Washington State under presiding officer A. J. Goddard. The Cabin Number One group, from whom this collection came, was formed in October, 1923, under the motto "We Blaze the Trail, Civilization Follows." The Alaska Yukon Pioneers have held annual picnics and gatherings over the years, although their membership has dwindled from the original social clubs established as folks returned home from the gold fields.

From the description of Alaska-Yukon Pioneers collection. (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 740520398