More than an historic resource for GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n people, caribou is a metaphor for the community itself.
Spread across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Canada, Alaska and beyond, GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n have the challenge of maintaining a sense of community.
SA国际影视传媒淚f we identify as being caribou people, we need to always keep in touch to work together,SA国际影视传媒� said Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan, president of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council.
She was recently in Old Crow, Yukon, for Caribou Days, a celebration of all things caribou.
In addition to enjoying the festivities, which involved caribou skinning, a fashion show and a lot of caribou meat, Greenland-Morgan and GTC vice-president Jordan Peterson had the opportunity to meet formally with GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n leadership in the Yukon for the first time.
SA国际影视传媒淎lthough we have different challenges SA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with different governments and we have a different land claim SA国际影视传媒� we are still the same people in terms of culture and language, and we need to stick together to advance ourselves as a nation,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.
As leaders, the GTC and equivalent organizations in GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n communities need to work out problems and make sure their people are healthy, just like the herd, she said.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e always worried about the herd and the health of the herd, but we have to put even more emphasis into the health of our people,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.
She pointed to social wellness as a big issue and said GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n communities all seem to face similar challenges, but also have enjoyed similar successes.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need to make more of an effort to stay connected, talk more often and help each other, because thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what our people traditionally did,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.
Just like the caribou, if the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n scatter, people will fall behind, she said.
A mutual agreement among GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n communities is protection of important wildlife grounds.
SA国际影视传媒淕wichSA国际影视传媒檌n, we arenSA国际影视传媒檛 anti-development, but when it comes to areas like calving grounds and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, weSA国际影视传媒檝e always had the position that that area must not be developed,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.
Besides the formal leadership meeting, the GTC representatives got to enjoy the fun and festivities of Caribou Days, where traditional knowledge and skills are shared between elders and youth.
The event celebrates the time of year when the ice breaks up and caribou return to the area.
SA国际影视传媒淏esides the excitement of the ice moving and the caribou returning, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a time for the community to come together and show an appreciation and recognition to the caribou, being thankful they got through another cold winter, welcoming spring,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a good feeling, just all this positive energy. For a few days, everyone can forget about all the challenges and stresses that come with politics and leadership.SA国际影视传媒�
She hopes similar events can be held in GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n communities in the future to bring people together.
SA国际影视传媒淭raditionally, our ancestors, the caribou sustained our people for thousands of years, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 an honour to be part of a celebration like that, because it really reminds you the importance of the caribou,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.