Gwich’in Moccasins
In 1995, the Yukon Arts Centre began acquiring works of art by Indigenous and northern artists—art significant to First Nations…
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Learning from the land
The Porcupine Caribou Herd is one of the largest barren-ground caribou herds in North America. It numbered approximately 220,000 when it was last counted in 2017, a record-breaking high. Despite this, the herd faces challenges.
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The Gwich’in’s journey to protect the Arctic Refuge
Which land mammal migrates farther than any other? It’s not the wildebeest on the savannas of Africa, or the antelope on the Tibetan steppe. It is the Porcupine caribou herd, right here in the Yukon.
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Running is rocket science
I have to know about gravitational torque I have to know about stride frequency I have to know about running tangents I have to know
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Mosquito Report
Let’s surprise Kelly, But not Martha. Let’s outnumber Peter, But not Stephen. Let’s pick on Tracy, But not on Bertha. Let’s hunt for Michael, But
A play on words
In January 2019, the United Nations (UN) declared 2019 to be the International Year of Indigenous Languages. This was meant to increase awareness and spur
Didee & Didoo: Politics
They just like to play games They call each other names. Some of them look glad An’ some of them look mad. Their talk is
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Didee and Didoo – Gwichin Warrior
There’s a peaceful little townOn the banks of the river.Where the wolf an’ the caribou roamThat’s where he calls his home.In summer there’s no nightsDays
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Let’s Learn Gwich’in: My working tools
Shigwitrit gwidal My Working Tools Ai shi’ii I have snowshoesDii k’ee shi’ii I have a gunSrii shi’ii I have a knifeVah troo tr’it’ii shi’ii I have a sawGwik’ih shi’ii I
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Let’s Learn Gwich’in: My Things
Dinjii Zhùh/ Oonjit Kyuu – Gwich’in /English Words By Chih Ahaa Shiaxe – My axe Shiteapot – My teapot Shitent – My tent Shistove –
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Shandaa (In my Lifetime) – Chih Ahaa
William Ch’itzee (Fort McPherson), ganaldaii (I remembered) Belle Herbert (Chalkyitsik), ganalydaii. Rev. James and Sarah Simon (Fort McPherson), ganaldaii. Special Constable Thomas Njootli (Aklavik), ganaldaii.
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Let’s learn Gwich’in: Wildlife Alphabet
Arctic Fox – ch’ich’yāa Bear – shoh Caribou – vadzaih Ducks – dats’an Eagle – ch’izhìn Fish – tuk Grouse – daih Hawk – chinìitrān
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Let’s learn Gwich’in: Dagoo Gwich’in Ginjik
Jesus Christ shat’in iindhan—Jesus loves me. Nichih gwanat’in—looking forward Nohjuu Ts’an—looking back Ohtsii Kwaa—Don’t waste. Ch’iitsii gwadal—hardware Taih kak zheh gwichoo—mansion on the hill Diiti’
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Shoo’ii and Sheek’aii – Dinjii Zhūh Dinētl’eh — ChiH Ahaa
Our long time “Didee and Didoo” cartoonist and poet Allan Benjamin from Old Crow is excited to introduce his new Shoo’ii and Sheek’aii cartoons and poems. These new characters will appear in Gwich’in and English.
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Let’s learn Gwich’in: Sree Nanh – Month
Learn a Gwich’in calendar
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Let’s learn Gwich’in: Sreendit (Spring)
Let’s learn Gwich’in: Sreendit (Spring)
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Didee & Didoo: Let’s Learn Gwich’in, Colours – Vah Ch’itr’idi’ee – Chih Ahaa
CARTOON: Allan Benjamin Colours – Vah Ch’itr’idi’ee – Chih Ahaa Jidii Zraii – Black Jidii Dagaii – White Jidii Ditsik – Red Jidii Vee –
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Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
Let’s All Learn Gwich’in with Allan Benjamin from Old Crow
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Didee & Didoo: She came, she saw, we conquered
She came, she saw, we conquered Grandma’s name is Clara Frost She came, she saw, we conquered. We’re proud to be her rangers. We’re proud
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Northern Food Fusion: Arctic Char Harvest
I can still smell the smoked fish on my jean jacket and I smile. It means I have been home to the Northwest Territories. At
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Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
Let’s All Learn Gwich’in With Allan Benjamin from Old Crow Gwich’in Expressions: Gwich’in Ginjik Native Language Dinjii zhuh ginjik jihtth’ak I understand Native language Lée
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Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
Gwich’in Expressions: Gwich’in Ginjik Native Language Dinjii zhuh ginjik jihtth’ak I understand Native language DZHii. BIRDS Jidìi nah’ìn? What do you see? Jii viiʻidzèe tʼiinchʻuu.
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Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
Vadzaih… CARIBOU Jidìi Kàgwanah’in?… What are you looking for? Vadzaih eenjit nahālzrīi… I’m hunting for caribou Ddhah kak vadzaih Tr’anah’in… We see caribou on the
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Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
Our long time “Didee and Didoo” cartoonist and poet Allan Benjamin from Old Crow is excited to introduce his new Shoo’ii and Sheek’aii cartoons and
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Stream of Consciousness
Visit the Academic and Skills Development office in the A-wing of Yukon College, and you’ll be greeted with words of empowerment on the backs of
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Take the Gwich’in Language Challenge
Take the Gwich’in language challenge. It’s a challenge from Norman Snowshoe, the former Gwich’in Tribal Council vice president. He said, “If you learn one Gwich’in
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Didee & Didoo: SERIOUS TRAINING
SERIOUS TRAINING I’M A VUNTUT GWICHIN ATHLETE AND I ALWAYS COMPETE. I’LL RUN WHEN IT’S SNOWING OR RAINING BECAUSE I’M IN SERIOUS TRAINING. I DON’T
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Berry Picking in Old Crow
In the past two years the herd of Porcupine Caribou in Old Crow herd has gradually changed its natural migration route.
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Muskrat Trapping
The sun is back and the days are warmer, except in the late evenings. People of Old Crow used to be excited about going to Crow
Didee & Didoo – Poem “I Have Everything”
I Have Everything The northern lights are my TV. An eagle is my kite. Calm water is my mirror. The North Star is my compass.
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Didee & Didoo: Poem: “Nomadic Life”
Didee & Didoo: Nomadic Life They followed the caribou herds an’ they hunted migratory birds. Gwichins moved all over the place or hunger they would
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “I think about Didoo”
I think about Didoo When I’m hungry I think about Didoo. When I’m alone I think about Didoo. When I’m broke I think about Didoo.
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Fish on Porcupine River
Sitting at a fish hole in the dark on the Porcupine River, in the Yukon at Old Crow in the fall, is not unusual. Excitement
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Didee & Didoo: Poem “Improvise”
You are wise if you improvise. You have knowledge not learned in college. You make plans using your hands. You use tools not following rules.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Gwichin Princess”
There’s a peaceful little town on the banks of the river where the wolf an’ caribou roan That’s where she calls her home. In summer
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Allan Benjamin and the origins of Didee & Didoo
Anyone who reads What’s up Yukon regularly will have come across the comic strip, Didee & Didoo. The comic was created by Old Crow resident,
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My Son, Edward
My son Edward Kyikavichick is handicapped. Since birth, he lived in Whitehorse in a foster home for many years. This allowed us, his parents, to
Telling the Stories of the North
Whitehorse resident Dennis Allen has crafted a successful career out of telling stories close to his heart: stories of life and culture of the people
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Darius”
DARIUS HE’S A GWITCH’IN ATHLETE, THAT LIKES TO COMPETE HIS NAME IS DARIUS, AND HE’S VERY SERIOUS. HE’S A PRO, FROM OLD CROW HE THREW
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Eliza Steamboat”
Eliza Steamboat I never knew where she got her name, but from Old Crow she came. She lived to be very old, and her cane
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “GWICH’IN GATHERING”
GWICH’IN GATHERING I’M PROUD TO BE A GWITCHIN FROM OLD CROW, YUKON A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL LAUGH WITH DICK NUKON. YOU’LL LISTEN TO FUNNY
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Darius”
“Darius” He’s a Gwitch’in athlete, who likes to compete. His name is Darius, and he’s very serious. He’s a pro, from Old Crow. He threw
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Bill Smith”
BILL SMITH His name is Bill Smith, and Tabitha he stay with. She was his Gwitch’in wife, and they like the bush life. Bill was
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “DAGOO FOLLOWED THE BIRDS”
DAGOO FOLLOWED THE BIRDS THE GWICHIN LEGEND IS VERY OLD ABOUT THE MAN WHO DISLIKED THE COLD. HE WONDERED WHERE THE BIRDS GO WHEN IT
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “CHON-FM “
CHON-FM LIKE THE REST OF THEM I LISTEN TO CHON-FM. IT’S OUR RADIO STATION FOR OUR FIRST NATION. SONGS FROM WAY BACK WHEN THEY’RE ALL
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Peel Watershed is not reserved for elite slobs
As every Yukoner should, I have been following the debate over the Peel Watershed Draft Land-Use Plan. It is a debate that will decide what
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Finding the Fiddle in the Yukon
Strains of lively, lilting fiddle melodies filter through classrooms up and down the Klondike Highway, played by children of all ages. This music has a
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Two Worlds, One Film Night
Thanks to the Yukon Film Society, Whitehorse has its own de facto repertory cinema, in the form of the once-monthly Fire Hall Films series, shown
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Michio”
Michio He came from Japan, and he liked our land. He even looks like a Gwitchin, Maybe he’s our next of kin. Up to Old
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Canada Day”
Canada Day On Canada Day, an Elder will pray. Our Gwichin Nation, put on a celebration. O Canada we sing loud, because Canadians, we’re proud.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Two Old Ladies” Part Two
Slowly their strength grew An’ the winter they made it through. The two old ladies survived the cold weather By working together and sleeping together.
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Two Old Ladies Part One”
TWO OLD LADIES PART ONE There were stories about a famine when there was no meat an’ salmon. People were in search of the caribou
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Bear Dogs”
They like to bark an’ scream but they’re too small for a dog team. Some are black an’ some are white and some pretend to
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Going Slightly Batty
My wariness of bats – I won’t say abject terror, that’s far too strong – dates back to the Eisenhower era. I can even trace
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Didee & Didoo – Poem “Margaret Blackfox”
Toughest Gwichin She was as tough as rocks my great grandma Margaret Blackfox. She was the toughest Gwichin ‘cause any race she can win. Didoo
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