The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) is a First Nation in the northern Yukon in Canada. Its main population centre is Old Crow. The language originally spoken by the people is Gwichʼin.
Gwich'in Nation
Vuntut Gwich'in refers specifically to the Gwich'in people who lived in Van Tat which translates as "people of the lakes." More recently, VGFN has incorporated the Vuntut Gwich'in and Dagoo Gwich'in (who traditionally lived further up the Porcupine River). The wider Gwich'in nation is spread across northwestern Canada and Alaska. Other Gwich'in communities include: the Tetlit Gwich'in in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories; Tsiigehtchic Gwich'in in Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories; Gwichyaa Gwich'in in Fort Yukon, Alaska; Arctic Village, Alaska; Chalkyitsik, Alaska; and Venetie, Alaska.
Self Government Agreement
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation was one of the first four First Nations to sign a land claims agreement in 1995.
The chief is presently Dana Tizya-Tramm.[1]
Notable people
Jeneen Frei Njootli, artist
External links
- Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation web site
- Vuntut Gwitchin Government web site
- Government of Canada's Department of Indian and Northern Affairs First Nation profile
References
- ^ Blatchford, Andy (March 30, 2020). "Couple flees to north of the Arctic Circle in bid to escape Covid-19". Politico.
"Our community ... is not a life raft for the rest of the world," said Dana Tizya-Tramm, chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin.