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This fonds consists of records documenting the activities of the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute from its establishment in 1993 until its transition into the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Cultural Heritage in 2016. The fonds includes some records of the Department of Cultural Heritage from 2016 until 2018. The material has been arranged into 38 series based on seven functional categories:

• Administration includes nine series documenting the governance and administration of the GSCI. The series included in this category are Gwich’in Tribal Council (426-S01); Governance (426-S02); Executive Director (426-S03); Research Director and General Administrative Materials (426-S04); Finance (426-S05); Correspondence (426-S06); Gwich’in Organizations, Communities and Events (426-S07); Other Organizations, Institutions and Associations (426-S08); and Website (426-S09). These series include meeting packages and minutes; strategic planning materials including GSCI’s five-year plans; annual reports; GSCI Executive Director files from 2004-2016; office, staff, project and other general administrative materials; financial statements and reporting materials; funding proposals, applications, reports, contribution agreements and service contracts; correspondence files; meeting materials, minutes, reports, proposals, presentation materials and informational materials related to Gwich’in and non-Gwich’in organizations, institutions and associations; website planning materials including funding applications, contribution agreements, financial statements and content planning materials; and general correspondence within each series.
• Consultation with Government includes three series documenting GSCI’s consultation and interaction with the federal and territorial governments. The series included in this category are Government of Canada (426-S10), Government of the Northwest Territories (426-S11) and Government of Yukon (426-S12). These series include correspondence; proposals; reports; funding proposals and reporting materials; workshop and presentation materials; informational materials; and curriculum planning and development materials.
• Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Policy and Regulation includes three series documenting the GSCI’s work in traditional knowledge policy development, land use planning and management and permitting and licensing. The series included in this category are Traditional Knowledge Policy (426-S13); Land Use Planning and Management (426-S14); and Researchers, Permits, Licences and Use Agreements (426-S15). These series include correspondence; proposals; funding and financial materials; workshop and presentation materials; discussion papers; reference materials; reports; policy copies; permit and licence applications and reports; research and data-sharing agreements; researcher files; and project materials provided to GSCI by researchers including planning materials, interview materials, photographs, videos and films, theses, reports and articles.
• Repatriation includes two series documenting the GSCI’s work in repatriating Gwich’in heritage materials and knowledge through a number of projects. The series included in this category are Gwich’in Traditional Caribou Skin Clothing Project (426-S16) and Repatriation Projects (426-S17). These series consist of project, planning and produced records including correspondence; funding proposals, contribution agreements and terms of reference; reports; copies of publications; audio and video recordings; and photographs, slides and negatives.
• Recognition of Historic and Cultural Sites includes three series documenting the GSCI’s work for the recognition, protection and management of Gwich’in historic and cultural sites. The series included in this category are Gwich’in Territorial Park (426-S18); Burial Sites (426-S19); and Historic Sites and Heritage Rivers (426-S20). The series include correspondence; materials related to the GSCI’s work in developing a vision and management plan for the Gwich’in Territorial Park including terms of reference, meeting materials, planning materials and copies of the management plan; funding materials, reports, maps and audio recordings from projects GSCI conducting in the Gwich’in Territorial Park; GTC Burial Site Guidelines; notes and information from the Tsiigehtchic Graveyard Mapping Project; and materials related to the nomination and management of national and territorial historic sites and heritage rivers including nomination applications, funding materials and service contracts; interview recordings and transcripts; photographs; unveiling ceremony materials; and draft management plans.
• Research and Programs includes 17 series documenting the GSCI’s research projects, programming and activities. These series include project, planning and produced materials, place name database and online mapping materials, conference materials and reference materials. The series included in the category are Oral History and Place Names Projects and Activities (426-S21); Archaeology (426-S22); Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board Traditional Knowledge Work (426-S23); Gwich’in Traditional Knowledge of the Mackenzie Gas Project Area (426-S24); Arctic Red River Headwaters Projects (426-S25); Elder’s Biography Project (426-S26); Gwichya Gwich’in Googwandak (426-S27); Tsiigehtchic Genealogy Workshop (426-S28); Gwich’in Ethnobotany (426-S29); Committee for Original Peoples’ Entitlement (COPE) Recordings (426-S30); Other GSCI Projects (426-S31); Partner Projects (426-S32); Archival Projects (426-S33); Science and Culture Camps (426-S34); Non-Project Publications and Posters (426-S35); Conferences, Workshops and Meetings (426-S36); and Reference Collection (426-S37). These series include correspondence; funding, financial and budget materials; project proposals interview materials; field notes; workshop and presentation materials; reports; GSCI publications including books, articles, brochures and posters; photographs, slides and negatives; audio and video recordings; transcripts; programming materials for science and culture camps; materials related to the documentation, preservation and update of the GSCI’s archival material; conference materials, notes and presentations; and reference materials including books, reports, journals, articles, research manuals, non-GSCI language materials and Gwich’in historical materials.
• Language includes one series documenting the GSCI’s language work and activities outside of research projects. This series is titled Language Work (426-S38) and documents GSCI’s work and relationship with the Gwich’in Language Centre, the development of the Gwich’in Language Plan, GSCI language workshops and projects, and language materials produced by the GSCI. This series includes correspondence; funding and budget materials; workshop materials; immersion camp materials; and dictionary copies, language class materials and other language materials.

Photographs include images of Inuit constructing igloos, a confirmation ceremony at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Yellowknife, a plaquing ceremony in Fort McPherson, the visit of Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan) to Aklavik in 1937, the communities of Aklavik, Fort Simpson, Coppermine (Kugluktuk) and Hay River, and images of Chief Johnny Kay [Kyikavichik], Chief Johnny Charlie, Andrew Kunnizzi, Terry Buckle, Robert Simpson, R. P. Malis, Bishop Archibald Fleming, and Bishop Stringer.

The textual material includes a typed manuscript by Henry G. Cook of the prayers, creeds and blessings translated into the Slavey language, dated 1938 and a handwritten dictionary of the Slavey translations of English words, compiled by Bishop J.R. Lucas in 1914, and an 11-page typescript manuscript written by Mr. Cook entitled "Early Education in the North". Also included are ephemera collected by Rev. Cook including a program of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaquing ceremony held in Fort McPherson on July 7, 1977; programs, booklets, and correspondence related to Anglican clergy in the NWT; and booklets related to the history of the North, as well as copies of the Captain Al Cohol comic books produced by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

This accession consists of a large extent of unprocessed audio-visual material, depicting primarily Federal health services across the Northwest Territories from the 1960s to the 1980s. These include slide presentations about a 50th anniversary celebration of the St. Theresa’s Hospital in Chesterfield Inlet, a presentation on nursing in the north and a presentation on the services provided by the Department of Health, which is also accompanied by audio presentations in four indigenous languages. As well, there is a large extent of photographs, audio recordings, and video.

Records date from 1888-1991 and consist of published reports, pamphlets, brochures and bound ordinances. The pamphlets and brochures relate to the Legislative Assembly's operations, symbology, projects, interest in a pipeline and talks of forming a new territory (Nunavut). Records also include the rules of the preceding body, the Council of the Northwest Territories, as well as the rules of the Assembly from 1984 to 1991. There are published reports on priorities for the North, election reports, electoral boundaries, administrative structure for Nunavut, a spousal assault task force report, and a Denedeh government proposal for restructuring of the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Also included in this accession are ordinances dated 1888 and 1895 and bound ordinances dating 1950 through 1981. There is also a book of statutes from 1985.

Records date from 1973-1993 and consisting of published reports, curriculum resources, teaching guides, newsletters, magazines, pamphlets, published anthologies, manuals, education kits, storybooks, workbooks and handbooks created by the department. The material covers a wide range of topics including teaching aides for elementary school children (workbooks, storybooks, teaching guides, kits, etc.), a large collection of Pik magazines, brochures and kits on child abuse, sexual assault and alcohol and drug awareness, apprenticeship brochures, nutrition guides and a children's cookbook, curriculum guides on science, civics, social studies and health, a needs assessment report on alternative programs for special needs, a review of Akaitcho Hall and many aboriginal language storybook readers.

The recordings, often referred to as the Dene Music Project, were made at four different Dene communities and each performance consisted of numerous songs. For identification purposes, each performance or recording session has been given a unique item number regardless of the number of physical tapes or songs it may incorporate. Included among the recordings are the master reels (:0009) compiled from a selection from original recordings. These reels were to be used in the production of the published record. Reference cassettes for most of the recordings are available. The textual records consists of documentation on each of the recording sessions. The black and white photographic negatives and corresponding contact sheets were taken during the recording sessions. Final appraisal and selection of the photographic negatives (items :0010-:0088) was completed in March 2013. Items :0004, :0006 and :0008 - original masters are cassettes. All other items have reel to reels as original masters.

The collection consists of sound recordings of interviews conducted by Marc Stevenson, transcripts of interviews, and copies of historic photographs depicting the Inuit people and Baffin region collected from the Public Archives of Canada. The sound recordings include: an interview in August 1983 with Etoangat at Kekerten whaling station; interviews conducted by Marc Stevenson at Kekerten and Pangnirtung in August 1984; and one apparently unrelated recording of an interview with an Inuk elder. The transcripts appear to be copies of twelve interviews conducted by Jaypeetee Akpalialuk in March 1984. The people of these interviews include: Kunugsiq Nuvaqiq, Shaimaiyuk Simon, Annie Alivatuk, Koagak Akulukjuk, Towkie Maniapik, Malaiya Akulukjuk, Martha Kakee, Sowdloo Shukulak, Etoangat Aksayook, Katchoo Evik, Koodloo Pitsulak, and Nowyook Nickutimusie.

The videocassettes consist of "Birch Bark Baskets" (English version) 21 min.; "Making a Birch Sled" (Slavey version) 21 min.; and "The Spruce Canoe" (English version) 21 min. The canoe was built by Johnny Klondike. The videos were filmed by Francine Betthale, produced by the Fort Liard Band Council, and funded by the GNWT Department of Culture and Communications and Dene Nation.

The audio recordings consist of an interview with D'arcy Arden recorded February 26, 2001 (2 cassettes) and one DAT tape recorded in April 1996 of George Blondin telling stories. The Darcy Arden interview deals with the early days of ice roads and his family history. The other recording is of George Blondin telling stories: Moose hunting, Netting Fish, Fishing Chat, Otter Medicine Legend, Setting Rabbit Snares, Trapping, Trapping chat, Caribou legend. The Blondin recording appears to recorded both in English and Slavey. The textual records appears to be an English translation of the Blondin stories.

This fonds consists of 2 DAT audiocassettes, 2 audio reels and one centimeter of textual material. The two DAT audiocassettes and 2 audio reels contain recordings done by Father Henri Posset. The first recording was made in September 1957. It consists of drumming and chanting taped in Jean Marie River and Fort Franklin, fiddle music from Fort Franklin and various Slavey legends related by Johnny Betseda of Fort Simpson and Jean Marie Punch of Fort Providence. The second recordings with John Tsetso were made on April 1, 1964 in St. Margaret's Hospital at Fort Simpson. In this recording, Tsetso narrates, in Slavey, the first three chapters of his book, "Trapping is my Life", which was published in February 1964. He also relates two other stories about summer and winter. The fonds also contains two letters written by Father Posset which provide some biographical information on Johnny Betseda, John Tsetso and Jean Marie Punch. There is also a typed transcript of an interview between Father Posset and William Nerysoo, Sr., relating to Gwich'in personal names, which was conducted on November 23, 1987.

The recordings contain interviews with Paul Wright and Fred Andrew, both elders of Fort Norman. The recordings are in Slavey and may deal with traditional stories. The stories were recorded over an eight day period at Drum Lake.

The material is made up of a typed manuscript by Henry Cook of the prayers, creeds and blessings translated into the Slavey language, dated 1938 and a handwritten dictionary of the Slavey translations of English words, compiled by Bishop J.R. Lucas in 1914.

Accession consists of the Aboriginal Languages Directory from 2012 and its accompanying References and Citations Companion.

Accession consists of an Analysis of the Dene Language Information Review, as well as Dene Traditional Life Series and Inuit Traditional Life Series.

Accession consists of books published by the Department of Education called "Tendi's Canoe" and "Tendi Goes Beaver Snaring." There is also a book of Inuit Legends featuring drawings by Inuk artist Germaine Arnaktauyok. Additionally, there are curricula materials such as "Flora and Fauna of the North" which includes illustrated pictures of animals found in the north accompanied by excerpt /short stories. "A Start in Something New: Welcome to Kindergarten" is curriculum for kindergarten. The accession also includes a booklet of the Dene calendar written in both English and Slavey with illustrations by Dene artist, Don Antoine. There is also a book, "Olympiada" by Saul Landa which features the 1971 Olympiada event among students in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Additionally, there is a summary of the Social and Housing Education Program in the Mackenzie District in 1969. The accession also consists of territorial government and election procedures of 1974 in the Government and Elections - An Educational Programme.

This fonds consists of textual material from the Office of the Language Commissioner. The material includes five copies of the brochure "The Languages of Our Land" which contains basic information about the purpose and content of the NWT Official Languages Act. The brochures are in the languages of English, French, Cree, Tlicho (Dogrib), Chipewyan, Gwich'in, North Slavey, South Slavey, Inuinnaqtun and Inuvialuktun. In addition there is a copy of the report "The Richness that Language and Culture Brings" which is an Impact Study of Canada-NWT Languages Agreements (1984-1996) and the Aboriginal Languages Directory (2012) and its accompanying References and Citations Companion.

The textual records include an English transcript of interviews conducted with Whati elders in 2001 on the subject of the fur trade. The sound recording, entitled 'Trading Among the Dogrib People', contains the interviews, which were conducted in Tlicho (Dogrib). Speakers include Alexis Flunki, Mary Madeleine Nitsiza, Jimmy Rabesca, and Louis Simpson. Topics discussed include trading with the Hudson's Bay Company, trapping, running errands, and the role of women in the fur trade.

This fonds consists of about 200,000 photographic negatives (mostly black and white with some colour) produced by the Native Press and its successors between 1971 and 1993 and contact sheets produced from the negatives.

The fonds also includes six C-60 audiocassette recordings containing samples of the Native Communications Society's (NCS) Indigenous language programming. In 1992-1993 and 1993-1994, NCS successfully applied to Community Programs for financial assistance to develop Indigenous language radio programming. Dene language lessons and elders telling stories and legends over CKNM radio were part of the radio programming.

Also included are 11 posters produced by NCS circa 1981-1982. One series of five posters is titled 'Our Elders Speak' and depicts traditional lifeways (hunting, fishing and attending a Dene feast), while a second series of posters features text and images that describe the history, objectives and functions of six Indigenous organizations in the NWT: NCS, NWT Metis Association, Dene Nation, NWT Native Women's Association, NWT Native Court Worker's Association, and the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.

Records include sound recordings from the Parish Council of Rae-Edzo's Dogrib Literacy Workshop, also known as the Dogrib Writer's Project, held in late August and early September 1992. The recordings were created as part of the reporting requirements for funding received under the Language Enhancement Program. The purpose of the project was to bring together Tlicho (Dogrib) literate people from the six communities of the North Slave Region to discuss the present state of the Tlicho written language and to develop ways to strengthen culture and identity through the Tlicho written word. Another aim of the project was to bring young people, who use Roman orthography, and elders, who use syllabics, together to identify those words not in common use and to ensure that they are recorded. The original proposal also called for the development of scripted stories to be read on local radio in Tlicho. One of the cassettes identifies Joe Erasmus as the interviewee.