The Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute
By the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute
As the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute (GSCI) website notes, “GSCI works with the four communities of Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, and Tsiigehtchic which all fall within the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA)”. The Gwich’in Settlement Area is entirely in the Northwest Territories but is also part of a larger Gwich’in Settlement Region which includes Primary and Secondary Land Use Areas in the Yukon. This Settlement Region was negotiated in 1992 as part of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. During this time, in response to some of the issues raised during discussions for the Land Claim Agreement, theGwich’in Tribal Council, the organization responsible for implementing the land claim established, among other organizations, the GSCI. According to the website :
The objective of the Institute is to conduct research in the areas of culture, language and traditional knowledge so that this body of knowledge will be recorded and available for future generations and the development of programs appropriate for Gwich’in needs.
With four offices in three communities, they rely heavily on the internet for communication, research, and file sharing to carry out its mandate, “To document, preserve, and promote Gwich’in language, culture, traditional knowledge, and values.”
The GSCI currently uses digital media (as well as other media such as print) to record traditional knowledge. Their website offers atalking map with links to recordings of Gwich’in place names, content encouraging revitalization of the Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik or Gwich’in language. GSCI recently launched an extensive plant database with traditional knowledge and use of plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Plans are presently underway to develop a cybercartographic atlas of approximately a thousand named places with associated digital content. An online exhibit showcasing nine Gwich’in material culture items is also being developed in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Click here to find Fort McPherson on Google Maps.
Click here to find Yellowknife on Google Maps.
Click here to find Tsiigehtchic on Google Maps.