Fort McPherson

Documentary about a community radio station and the important role it plays in the Teetl'it Gwich'in town of Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. Duration : 1:06:11.

Glimpses of life in the northern community of Fort McPherson through local radio station or the "Moccasin Telegraph". Duration: 66:02.

Interdisciplinary Studies in Resource Management Science Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of British Columbia, 1998.

Based on interviews in two northern communities and looks at traditional wage economy, leadership role and impacts of Land Claim Agreement. Chapter three in book: Proceedings of the CRIAW-ICREFF Conference 1995 edited by Deborah Poff and Toni Fletcher.

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Thesis (M.Sc.)--McGill University, 2004.

This book contains photographs of people and places in the Canadian Far North, taken while Mathers was "on a trip from Edmonton to the mouth of the MacKenzie River". There are a number of images of "Esquimaux" wearing traditional clothing and stone lip ornaments, as well as of Native people carrying out tasks at various forts along the Athabasca and Slave Rivers.

History of St. Matthew’s Mission and Day School, established at Fort McPherson in 1862. Revised version.

Explores how wildberries are a special type of non-timber forest product that have social, cultural and economic importance for the Gwich’in communities.

Housing in Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

Entitled: "Esquimaux and their Kayak". Two men, two kayaks.

Entitled: "Trading with the Esquimaux". One non-Indigenous man holding a knife and looking at something. Man and woman stand beside him while a child looks on in the background.

An example of river transportaion. Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

RCAP 9 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Community Centre, Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories on May 7, 1992. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various First Nations organizations and government agencies. For detailed information see presentations listed under filenameroot RCAP9.

File contains Index of presentations and opening remarks by John Morriseau, Commissioners Rene Dussault, Mary Sillett, Charlie Snowshoe, and Allan Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Chief James Ross of the Gwich'in people. Chief Ross delivers some remarks on the Gwich'in Final Agreement (a land claim) and introduces Diane Petersen and George Nurysoo who will present after him.

File contains a presentation by Diane Petersen. Petersen gives an overview of the Gwich'in Final Agreement, a land claim deal between the federal government and the Gwich'in people which applies to part of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

File contains a presentation by Eileen Koe. Koe is a civil servant and proclaims herself to be both a Gwich'in, and a proud Canadian. Koe discusses her views on social issues and housing in the community. She discusses residential schools and the loss of the Gwich'in language, and the detrimental effect this has had on her people. Koe discusses alcoholism, housing programs, trapping, and the need for better job training programs.

File contains a presentation by Emma Robert. Robert discusses concerns affecting working women, particularly those with children, in the community. She sees the biggest problems as being a lack of daycare and babysitter facilities. Another concern she raises is rents being too high for working people. She highlights her biggest concern for people in the community in general as being proper job training which isn't available at the moment. Following the presentation, Commissioner Rene Dussault offers a comment and question on daycare and housing which Roberts answers.

File contains a presentation by James Cardinal on behalf of Chief Peter Ross of the Arctic Red River community of the Gwich'in people (in the Mackenzie River Delta). Cardinal's presentation disucsses alcohol problems, land claims, band issues, education, and a host of other issues. Following the presentation is a conversation between the presenter and the Commissioners (mainly Allan Blakeney) regarding some of the issues raised, notably the effectiveness of alcohol prohibition in Gwich'in territory.

File contains a presentation by John Edsu of Fort McPherson. Edsu discusses his views on the trapping industry in the area and his view of its great importance to people of the north. Edsu protests southerners coming in as transient labour and taking jobs that he feels northerners are qualified to do. He also discusses rival claims over land by trappers and large multinational resource companies. He requests recognition from the federal Government of the importance of the trapping industry to his people, and criticizes the anti-fur movement as destructive and naive.

File contains a presentation by Mary Teya, Community Health Representative. Teya discusses health staffing concerns; alcoholism; the community's Concerned Persons Committee; suicide; running water, sewage, and basic infrastructure for Aboriginal people. Following the presentation Teya discusses some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Neil Colin. Colin complains about the ignorance of the north he has encountered in southern Canada, including from Conservative federal government officials who did not even know where Yellowknife was. He also discusses his concerns about pollution and its effects on the North which he has witnessed himself. Following the presentation Rene Dussault thanks him for it, and closes the days preceedings.

File contains a presentation by Robert Alexis, Vice Chief for Trapping. Alexis is Vice Chief of Trapping for the Gwich'in people of Fort McPherson and discusses the problems and concerns of trappers in his presentation. The most important issue facing trappers he states is the switiching of traps from traditional leg holds to conibear traps. He contrasts trapping with office work and professes his love for the lifestyle of the trap line. He discusses how the conibear is a bad substitute for the traditional leg hold traps.

File contains a presentation by Sara Jerome. Jerome, (sometimes speaking in Gwich'in which is provided in English translation) discusses her experiences with the education system (post-secondary), and her views regarding the culture and language of the Gwich'in people. She expresses frustration with Commissions visiting the Western Arctic in the past which lead to no changes. She also discusses her frustration with the Canada 125th birthday celebrations which ignored aboriginal peoples languages but put a high emphasis on English and French.

File contains a presentation by Taig Connell, Employment Officer, Canada Employment. Connell presents on his concerns over the lack of jobs in Fort McPherson: notably long term, good paying jobs, and the lack of federal assistance to provide such jobs. Connell argues that plenty of potential exists for such jobs particularly in the natural resource areas if government would provide the start up capital and programming. Following the presentation is a discussion between Connell and Commissioner Rene Dussault regarding the quality of jobs currently available.

File contains a presentation by William Koe Councillor, Tetlin Gwich'in Council. William Koe presents on his concerns regarding education and the economy in Fort McPherson. He discusses drop-out rates, upgrading programs, local training courses, trades training, business support courses, writing workshops, and getting jobs for the community. Following the presentation a discussion ensues between Commissioners Rene Dussault and Allan Blakeney with Mr. Koe regarding Education issues.

File contains a presentation by Woody Elias, of Fort McPherson. Elias discusses residential schools, government and the fur trade (accusing the government of collusion with the anti-fur lobby), oil companies, and unemployment. Following the presentation is a discussion between Elias and Commissioners Dussault, Snowshoe, and Blakeney.

File contains a second presentation by Chief James Ross. Chief Ross discusses the Gwich'in people's land claim in the Northwest and Yukon Territories; their history; Treaty No. 11; and general economic and political issues facing the Gwich'in people. Following the presentation Chief Ross discusses some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

Study conducted from 2007 to 2010 compared elders' traditional attitudes about harvesting with those of the younger generation of hunters.