Oral History

  1. “When there was no twine, we use[d] k’aiineech’uu [willow bark] in the springtime, when the willows are green and fresh. It could only be used once.”

    — Charlie Peter Charlie, Vuntut Gwitchin Elder, 2001

    (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Collection VG2001-13-09:123)

  2. “Grandchild, [to get something to eat, like fish] wherever, a long ways, when people had no food, they said people moved to Crow Flats. There where there’s creeks by the lakes. The willow bark, in those days, there were no fish nets. They tore off the willow bark and knitted them big as fish nets. They set these in the creeks. Using these, they got lots of fish, and people ate really good, they said.”

    — Sarah Abel, Vuntut Gwitchin Elder, 2001

    (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Collection VG2001-04-05:340)

Gwadàl’ Zheii: Belongings from the Land has been developed in collaboration with the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute (www.gwichin.ca), Northwest Territories, and the Heritage Branch of the Vuntut Gwitchin Government (www.vgfn.ca), Yukon. Explore the rich cultural heritage of the Gwich’in through artifacts, historic and contemporary photographs, and oral histories and stories told by Elders.