Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board (GRRB)

Gwich'in Traditional Knowledge Projects

Gwich'in local and traditional knowledge has been used to identify management issues, plan research and develop management plans. The long-term impacts on the northern environment will be monitored by using local knowledge. Gwich'in knowledge is used when developing wildlife management plans, protected area strategies and land and water use permitting. By recording Gwich'in traditional ecological knowledge we are also helping to pass this knowledge on to the youth and future generations.

Gwich'in Environmental Knowledge Project (GEKP)

GEKP Goals and Results
The GEKP is recording and mapping Gwich'in Elders' knowledge. The local knowledge collected is used to provide information about the area's ecosystems and to produce more informed wildlife management plans, conservation strategies, and land and water use licensing procedures.The GRRB is making Gwich'in Traditional Knowledge easily accessible to Board staff, community members and other researchers by developing a database of all recorded information and by publishing books on Gwich'in local ecological knowledge. The books and the database provides a tool for educators in the area and other people interested in traditional knowledge.

During workshops, community members said they wanted their knowledge used to help manage their resources. In response, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board (GRRB) has made the Gwich'in Environmental Knowledge Project (GEKP) an important part of its operation. Knowledge gathered by the project is used with other information and research results to manage and conserve the resources of the area.

GEKP Books
Nanh' Kak Geenjit Gwich'in Ginjik and Gwìndòo Nanh' Kak Geenjit Gwich'in Ginjik are books that highlight elders' knowledge of species of wildlife in the western Arctic. The books are based on more than 400 interviews conducted with Gwich'in elders, hunters, fishers, trappers.

"This book helps us pass on the knowledge of many elders and their stories. . . It helps us to pass on our 'words', pass on a part of what is our culture, our future." (Mary Kendi, Gwich'in Elder)"WWF has been expanding the work we are doing in the Canadian Arctic and this report should prove to be an interesting and valuable resource for us. . . It looks like it will be a very special resource for many people and organizations."(Catherine Merriman, World Wildlife Fund)"The Elders who have contributed to this book have much to be proud of. Their words of wisdom and experience are important, not only to the youth, but to all who wish to keep our culture alive." (Don Morin, Premier, NWT)

GEKP Book 1 OUT of STOCK
Nành' Kak Geenjit Gwich'in Ginjik (Gwich'in Words About the Land). Gwich'in Elders. 1997. 8.5" x 11", paper cover, maps, illustrations (B&W), 212pp. ISBN: 0-9682642.

Price: $30.00 + shipping & handling*

GEKP Book II
Gwìndòo Nành' Kak Geenjit Gwich'in Ginjik (More Gwich'in Words About the Land). Gwich'in Elders. 2001. 8.5" x 11", paper cover, maps, photos (color), Elders biographies, 184pp. ISBN: 0-9682642-1-2.

Price: $35.00 + shipping & handling*

*Book Shipping Costs Canada & USA: $7.50 per book International: $10.00 per book (note: please contact us for multiple copies)

GEKP Database
To utilize the knowledge most effectively, the GRRB is developing a database to encourage researchers and resource managers in the Gwich'in Settlement Area to use and explore the knowledge of elders. The database organizes, summarizes and presents Gwich’in traditional environmental knowledge in a user friendly, easily accessible format. The GRRB recently provided the RRC’s with GEKP database on a compact disc (CD ROM). The CD ROM can be used by the RRC’s and anyone from the community who would like to obtain information on local traditional knowledge about renewable resources in the GSA.

Traditional Knowledge Policy

The Gwich'in Traditional Knowledge Policy, entitled Working with Gwich'in Traditional Knowledge in the Gwich'in Settlement Region, was drafted in preparation for increased oil and gas exploration and other development and research interests in the Region. It applies to the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC), GSCI and all Designated Gwich'in Organizations including the four community councils, Gwich'in Land Corporation and Gwich'in Settlement Corporation.

This Gwich'in Tribal Council policy designates GSCI as the organization responsible for its implementation and is accompanied by Guidelines and a Research Agreement Framework. The policy aims to ensure that the collection, use and dissemination of Gwich'in Traditional Knowledge is conducted ethically and acknowledges and respects the Gwich'in as its holders. Although still in draft form, it is meant to guide all traditional knowledge research in the Gwich'in Settlement Region (GSR). The Research Agreement Framework sets out the terms of any agreement negotiated between a Gwich'in organization and researchers, in accordance with the policy and guidelines.

Researchers interested in conducting TK research in the GSR are asked to fill out the Research Agreement Framework and e-mail, mail or fax it to the GSCI offices in Tsiigehtchic and Yellowknife.

Head Office
P.O. Box 46
Tsiigehtchic, NT X0E 0B0
Tel: (867) 953-3613
Fax: (867) 953-3820
Alestine Andre, Heritage Researcher
Alestine_Andre@learnnet.nt.ca

Research Office
Suite 202B, 4912-49 Street
Yellowknife, NT X1A 1P3
Tel: (867) 669-9743
Fax: (867) 669-7733
Ingrid Kritsch, Research Director
Ingrid_Kritsch@learnnet.nt.ca

Community-Land Relationship (CKP) Project
The Community - Land Relationship Project aims to ensure that traditional management guidelines are developed, included, and allowed to contribute to resource management in the GSA. Community workshops are also help to discuss traditional and current management methods. Topics of discussions include (but not limited to)

How the Gwich'in have traditionally managed wildlife, fishery and forestry resources;
Procedures of incorporating Traditional Knowledge (TK) into environmental assessment;
Recommendations on how traditional community management and monitoring can be incorporated into environmental assessments.

View Community-Land (CKP) Report

Community-Based Ecological Monitoring
The Board joins the effort of the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op to record, synthesize and communicate local knowledge about the environment. Each year, the Community-Based Ecological Monitoring Program hires local people to interview community members about their concerns and observations of fish, berries, caribou, unusual animal sightings, weather conditions and other aspect of the environment.

Traditional Knowledge On Travaillant Lake & System
Local Knowledge of Fish & Habitats in Travaillant Lake System
Local knowledge regarding fish and fish habitat was gathered to provide information about fish distribution, movement and habitat use, and ecological characteristics, of lakes and streams in the Travaillant Lake (Khaki luk) system. The study involved Phase I where all previously recorded traditional knowledge was investigated and Phase II which involved interviewing community members from Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik.

View Local Knowledge of Fish/Habitats in Travaillant Lake

Traditional Knowledge Interviews on Travaillant Lake Fish Movement
In 2002, the Board conducted a study on fish movement in Travaillant Lake. The study involved interviewing Gwich'in members from Tsiigehtchic and area. The goal of the study was to find out where fish were moving to and if they traveled into the Mackenzie River.

View TK Study on Fish Movement in Travaillant Lake

Rat River Biodiversity, Cultural and Historical Assessment
In 1999 the Board conducted a biodiversity and cultural assessment (traditional and historical use) of the Rat River watershed after the four Gwich'in communities of Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik identified it as a proposed protected area for its wildlife and cultural significance.

The Rat River watershed area has been used for centuries as an important harvesting area and travel route. Along with many cultural sites, numerous camps also exist along the lower Rat River. Fishing, hunting, trapping and berry picking are still carried-out today. The study also identified the area as home to hundreds of species of plants, fish, mammals and birds.

View Rat River Biodiversity, Cultural & Historical Assessment

Gwich'in Ethno-botany Study
The Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute initiated an ethnobotany study to collect information on the use of plants for traditional medicine and other uses. The board provides funding for the study, and will use the information to build on the traditional knowledge that has been collected through other projects.

Traditional Knowledge of fish resources of Nagwichoonjik and Tsiigehnjik
In 2006-2007, the GRRB conducted a traditional knowledge study of the fish resources in the Mackenzie River (Nagwichoonjik) and the Arctic Red River (Tsiigehnjik). Interviews were conducted with knowledgeable past and present harvesters to record their knowledge. A community workshop was also held to verify the information.

Thompson, A. and Millar, N. 2007. Traditional knowledge of fish migration and spawning patterns in Tsiigehnjik (Arctic Red River) and Nagwichoonjik (Mackenzie River), Northwest Territories. Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board Report 07-01.