Tr'ondek, meaning Hammerstone Water, was the original name for the river we now call the Klondike. The river got its name from the fact that the Tr'ondek Hwech’in used to hammer stakes into the riverbed and weave branches between them to create weirs that guided fish into carefully set basket traps. These traps were made of wooden sticks with one end sharpened. The pointed ends of the sticks were turned to the inside of the trap so that fish could swim in but could not get out again.

Hwech'in means people, so the Tr'ondek Hwech'in are the "People of the Hammerstone River".

They traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle, following the rhythm of the seasons and travelling to where food was most abundant in a particular time of year.

The mouth of the Tr'ondek, or Klondike River, was an important summer fishing ground for the Tr'ondek Hwech'in, but they did not have a permanent settlement here.

Winter was the most difficult time to find food, and large summer camps broke into smaller family groups. Survival in the winter depended largely on food that had been collected during the summer and fall.

The influx of non-native gold seekers in the 1890’s had a profound impact on the lives of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in. It has been a great challenge over the last century for the Tr'ondek Hwech'in to keep their language and traditions alive; they have proved a remarkably resilient culture, and today are a strong and vibrant part of the community.