NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, fish, caribou, traditional knowledge, wildlife, ethnography, traditional storytelling, dogs

Objective(s): To develop an understanding of domestication and human-animal relations.

Project Description: The research investigates the relations between dogs, fish, caribou and people. The objective is to have a different understanding of domestication and human-animal relations. This research will use semi-structured interviews and participant observation (spending time out on the land). Interviews: The research team will have 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews of one to two hours with Elders. The team will furthermore organize Elders' meetings at local fish camps with several Elders. These meetings can be a weekend and informal events of story-telling. All members of the team have been working in Fort McPherson before and are known to the Elders and the community. Peter Loovers, for example, has been working with the Tetl'it Gwich'in and is affiliated with the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute (GSCI) since 2005. An important part of the fieldwork will be to spend time out on the land with Elders and other Tetl'it Gwich'in. Learning through participation is a fruitful method, so the research team will spend time at fish camps and hunting camps. The research team will continue to inform the community through the local radio-station (CBQM) and update the research during community meetings or the general Gwich'in Tribal Council Meeting (as part of GSCI). The team furthermore will continue to work with the GSCI and community members in Fort McPherson. Future publications will be provided to the GSCI, Chief Julius High school, local Tetl'it Gwich'in Tribal Council, and relative community members. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 24, 2013 to December 31, 2013.