Aklavik First Nation facts for kids
| People | Gwich'in |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Treaty 11 |
| Headquarters | Aklavik |
| Territory | Northwest Territories |
| Population (2019) | |
| On other land | 258 |
| Off reserve | 181 |
| Total population | 439 |
| Tribal Council | |
| Gwich'in Tribal Council | |
The Aklavik First Nation is a group of Gwich'in Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories of Canada. They are part of the larger First Nations community. This group lives in Aklavik, a town where First Nations, Inuit, and other people live together.
The Aklavik First Nation is also known as the Edhiitat Gwich'in Council. They are one of thirteen groups that make up the Gwich'in Tribal Council. This council helps to represent the Gwich'in people.
Contents
The Gwich'in Story of Origin
The Gwich'in people have a special belief about where they come from. They believe that humans and caribou were once the same. When they separated, a small part of their hearts stayed connected forever.
After this separation, the Gwich'in and the caribou made an agreement. The land would provide for the caribou. In return, the caribou would provide for the people. The people, in turn, would protect the land. Gwich'in stories say they have lived this way for thousands of years. Many believe they have been in this area for about 20,000 years.
The Gwich'in Language
The Aklavik First Nation, like all Gwich'in people, traditionally spoke Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik. This language is part of the Athapaskan language family. Sadly, Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik is one of the most endangered languages in Canada.
In 2006, only about 20 people spoke it at home. Around 275 people could speak it, but most of them were elders. An "endangered language" means very few people still speak it. It is at risk of disappearing completely.
Where the Aklavik First Nation Lives
The Aklavik First Nation is based in the town of Aklavik. This town is in the Northwest Territories of Northern Canada. This area does not have many people living in it.
There is also a Gwich'in settlement called Aklavik Settlement. It is east of the town. However, you cannot drive there all year round. Most travel to the settlement is by air. This makes it very expensive for people to live there. Because of this, only a few people are officially registered as living on the settlement land.
The Caribou and Their Home
The forests and nearby Great Plains are home to the Porcupine caribou herd. This herd is named after the Porcupine River. It has about 169,000 animals.
The Gwich'in people call the Great Plains of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit. This means "The Sacred Place Where Life Begins." This area is very important because it is where the Porcupine caribou herd gives birth.
Protecting the Sacred Place
Oil has been found in this sacred land. There are plans to drill for oil and build things there. This could harm the caribou herd. It could also negatively affect the Gwich'in way of life. The Gwich'in people work hard to protect this special place.
How the Aklavik First Nation Makes a Living
The Aklavik First Nation receives payments from the Canadian Government. These payments are called annuities. They usually range from $300,000 to $600,000 each year.
The biggest part of their economy comes from Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping. Local shops, transportation, arts and crafts, and tourism also add to their economy. They also get some money from mining for minerals and gas.
The caribou are still the most important source of food, clothing, and tools. They also eat moose, whitefish, and bowhead whales.
Aklavik First Nation Society
In traditional Aklavik First Nation society, men had certain roles. They were responsible for fishing, hunting, and fighting in battles. Women had different important roles. They gathered plants, made crafts, and moved camps when needed.
It was common for people to paint their faces. They also decorated their clothes with beads, feathers, and fringes.
How the Aklavik First Nation is Governed
Each First Nation in Canada can choose how it wants to be governed. They can use the Indian Act Election System, the First Nations Election Act, or their own custom system. The Aklavik First Nation chose to use its own Custom Electoral System.
The current Chief of the Aklavik First Nation is Danny Greenland. The current Councillor is Kathy Greenland.
Aklavik First Nation History
The Aklavik First Nation is one of many groups of Gwich'in people. "Gwich'in" describes both their culture and their language. Today, the town of Aklavik has many different kinds of people. But this was not always the case.
The Aklavik First Nation people often met their northern neighbors, the Inuit. While they sometimes fought, they also traded many goods and ideas. The Aklavik people adopted many Inuit inventions. These included the Eskimo hood and mittens and the sled.
Life with the Caribou Herd
The Aklavik way of life has always been centered around the Porcupine caribou herd. The herd provided food, clothing, and tools. It was also a very important part of their culture and beliefs.
Large celebrations would happen every season. These included big feasts, wrestling games, singing, and dancing. The people lived a nomadic lifestyle. This means they moved from place to place to follow the caribou. This changed in the 1860s when the fur trade grew. This led to more forts, trading posts, and settlements.
Even with these changes, the people's connection to the caribou is still very strong. The town eagerly waits for the Porcupine caribou herd to migrate towards them. They become worried if the herd is late.
