Caribou Fences Ɂekwǫ̀ Kwı̨ı̨̀: Tłı̨chǫ Traditional Methods used to Harvest Caribou by Sally Ann Gon and Allice Legat

Abstract

Originally published in 1995, Allice Legat and Sally Ann Gon explore the intimate knowledge Tł˛ıcho˛ Elders had to manage and manipulate caribou in specific ways during specific seasons.

This paper was first released on March 31, 1995 based on research Elders initiated due to changes in ɂekwò˛
(barren ground caribou) behaviour. It is being published here because, if caribou are to come back and become sustainable, the authors of this paper think it is imperative that documented knowledge of Indigenous harvesters needs to be recognized and shared.

This paper shows Tłı˛cho˛ Elders of that time had intimate knowledge necessary to manage themselves as well as to manipulate ɂekwò˛ in specific ways during specific seasons — to protect the herd, by and for the people who depend on it. This is still relevant today.
The original document was prepared by Dogrib Treaty 11 Council with support from Dene Cultural Institute
for use by the Dogrib Renewable Resources Board and The Department of Renewable Resources GNWT.

It was updated by Tłı˛cho˛ Government for this Journal. The update (August 2023) revises some of the terms and community names, to change them from English to Tłı˛cho˛ with explanations if not in original report. The exception to this is organizations from the past, such as the Dogrib Renewable Resources Board and Dogrib Treaty 11 Council.

To copy, share, or otherwise use any information in this report you must get written permission from the
Tłı˛cho˛ Government. And, if you use any images or maps from this report, please credit the artist Sally Anne Gon (nee Zoe).