Tracing Trails with Gwich'in: Poetics, Well-Being, Memory, and Land in Circumpolar Canada
Principal Investigator: Loovers, Jan Peter L. (2)
Licence Number: 14893
Organization: Royal Anthropological Institute and Goldsmith University of London
Licensed Year(s): 2011
Issued: Mar 21, 2011

Objective(s): To re-trace Gwich’in articulations in life, and to investigate the link between poetics (language and songs), well-being, memory, and land in Fort McPherson and the Peel River Watershed.

Project Description: The objective of this project is to re-trace Gwich’in articulations in life, and to investigate the link between poetics (language and songs), well-being, memory, and land in circumpolar Canada (Fort McPherson and Peel River Watershed). The researcher will use a pedagogical approach. This implies to travel, work and live with Tetlit Gwich'in in Fort McPherson and in the Peel River Watershed. Dr. Jan Peter Loovers will participate in activities on the land and in the community, and will visually document (by film and audio-recording) many of these activities. Tetlit Gwich'in and others (e.g. government officials, mining companies, environmental organisations, Yukon Native Language Centre employees, Na-Cho Nyak Dun and Vuntut Gwich'in First Nation members) will be interviewed, if possible. The length of the interviews can vary from 1 hour to 3 or even 4 hours. These interviews will be semi-structured in several communities and on the land. Most conversations, however, will take place informally. The interviews, and many conversations, will be visually documented (either film or audio) and will be discussed with Tetlit Gwich'in who will be hired. Interviews will be transcribed. The researcher intends to live and work with the community intimately. The research deals with the Peel River Watershed history and development initiatives, and with the revitalisation of the Gwich'in language. Both topics have been considered of pivotal importance to the Tetlit Gwich'in, and Elders - like others - have addressed their concerns. The purpose is to strengthen Gwich'in language and renew the interests in the Peel River Watershed. The researcher will continue to discuss this work with the community of Fort McPherson (specifically with the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute and the research participants). Dr. Jan Peter Loovers will give some presentations during community meetings; provide his film and final report to the community and any participant. Any publication will be discussed with the research participants, and Dr. Jan Peter Loovers will ask for their approval. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 19, 2011 to December 31, 2011.