New website in memory of John Ross honours Gwich’in athletes – Cabin Radio
May 15, 2026
When James Ross began writing the story of his brother, John Ross, he only intended for it to be something to share with his children and grandchildren. But as James did his research, he realized more people could “benefit from this story of remembering our forgotten athletes.”
James and his brother are from Fort McPherson. John was a paddler in the 1967 Centennial Voyageur canoe race, a boxer, boxing coach and cross-country skier. In 1974, James said, John and his wife Gloria were killed in a fire in their Fort McPherson shack.
James decided to make Gwaandak – which means stories in Gwich’in – a website rather than a book because it is more accessible, particularly for youth.
