A longstanding memorial has been given a new lease on life thanks to efforts of the Fort McPherson RCMP and the community of Fort McPherson.
Erected on Millen Creek, near the Rat River, to commemorate the life of Const. Edgar Millen, who was killed in the line of duty by the infamous 'Mad Trapper' who was identified as Albert Johnson, the Millen Cairn has been fully rebuilt and marked with permanent plaques in Gwich'in, English and French. A Canadian flag now flies over the monument, which lies about 40 kilometres away from Fort McPherson.
"A small ceremony has been planned for the week of March 22-26, in which community members who make the journey, along with NT RCMP representatives will rededicate the Cairn to Const. Millen," reads an RCMP press release announcing the work. "Arrangements have been made to transport some of the Elders to the site. NT RCMP will share details after the event has taken place.
"Thank you to all the Fort McPherson community members who have assisted the RCMP with this important project."
Millen was killed by a gunshot wound through the heart during a firefight with the Mad Trapper on January 30, 1932 following a series of incidents that escalated out of a trapping dispute in the Fort McPherson area.
RCMP began a manhunt for the Mad Trapper after two officers visited his cabin to question him about damaged trap lines on Dec. 26, 1931 and he refused to talk to them. After returning with a search warrant, the officers attempted to force the door open and the Trapper shot at one of them.
Officers returned a few days later with dynamite and blew the cabin up, but the Trapper escaped. Over the course of the next two months RCMP pursued the Mad Trapper to Fort McPherson and later into the Yukon, where he was ultimately killed in a firefight at Eagle River.