Vunut Gwitchen ALASKA Flashcards
(11 cards)
Who are the Vuntut Gwitchin?
An Indigenous group living in Old Crow, Yukon, Canada. Part of the Gwich’in Nation.
Where is Old Crow located?
Above the Arctic Circle in northern Yukon; a remote fly-in community.
What is the climate like in Old Crow?
Sub-Arctic to Arctic climate – cold winters, short summers; permafrost present.
What ecosystem services are important to the Vuntut Gwitchin?
Caribou migration (Porcupine herd), freshwater systems, fish, berries, and forest/tundra biodiversity.
Why is the Porcupine Caribou Herd important?
Central to Vuntut Gwitchin culture and subsistence – used for food, tools, clothing, and trade.
What threat do oil developments pose?
Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) could disrupt caribou calving grounds, impacting food security and culture.
How have the Vuntut Gwitchin acted to protect their environment?
Advocacy against oil exploration in ANWR; helped create Vuntut National Park (1995).
What is the Vuntut National Park?
A protected area co-managed by Parks Canada and the VGFN to preserve caribou habitat and Gwich’in culture.
What is special about VGFN governance?
Signed a Self-Government Agreement in 1995, giving them rights over land, law-making, and resource management.
Give an example of sustainable development in the community.
Ownership stake in Air North (49%) improves access and economic opportunity while minimizing environmental impact.
How does the Vuntut Gwitchin case show conflict over land use?
Balances traditional lifestyle and cultural identity with pressures from resource exploitation (e.g., oil drilling vs caribou protection).
