Heritage Resources Branch

Offices & Staff: Heritage Resources Officer Heritage Researcher/Film Maker Staff

Old Crow Flats

Heritage Resources Branch
"To preserve, protect, document and promote the culture and language of the Vuntut Gwitchin." The Heritage Branch consists of two full time staff members and a number of part time or seasonal professionals.

Our main projects include:

• Oral History Documentation. We recently completed a four year oral history project to document the history of the Vuntut Gwitchin on the land. The results from this project include over 300 past and contemporary interview transcripts, historic and contemporary photos and film footage. The research team visited locations of cultural value all over the VGFN traditional territory. This information is currently being collated into a publishable manuscript.
• Cultural Geography Project. After the success of the oral history project plans were made to focus on using the valuable information that is now organized and held by the First Nation. The main objectives of the Cultural Geography Project are to map and verify Gwich'in place names and to develop culturally relevant curriculum materials. This is a three year project currently in its first year.
• Film Production. At the start of the Vuntut Gwich'in Oral History Project we were fortunate to be able to take advantage of a value based film production course offered at the Yukon College campus in Old Crow. Two graduates from this program have become the first Vuntut Gwitchin film makers. The First Nation has purchased a broadcast quality video camera and an editing suite that allows the film makers to produce stories from their own perspective at home in Old Crow. To date three documentaries have been produced:
  
  Drymeat Making by Mary Jane Moses.
  Our History That Binds Us by Tracy Kassi.
  Imprints of Our Ancestors Parts I and II co-produced by Mary Jane Moses and Tracy Kassi.
• Curriculum Development. A main goal of the Vuntut Gwich'in Elders is to pass on their knowledge to the future generations. Now that we have documented so much information we are in a position to produce curriculum materials for the local classrooms. The short term goal is to have culturally relevant classroom materials available for teachers from outside the community. The long term goal is to teach Vuntut Gwitchin school children using the wisdom and experience of their ancestors. This will be accomplished with a focus on experiential learning and language immersion.
• Research Application Assessment and Liaison Services. The VGFN Heritage Branch reviews all research licence applications in the traditional territory. If the research is deemed to be in an area sensitive to the First Nation, then a VGFN application form is required.

  Media Form Media Form
  Research Form Research Form
  

  If researchers are interested in accessing oral history or traditional knowledge documented by the First Nation then an Access Application is required. This application is reviewed by the VGFN Heritage Committee. The Committee will determine if the application is approved and if there are to be any special restrictions on the project. Approved applicants sign a letter of agreement regarding the special restrictions for their project.

  Approved applicants can receive liaison services from the First Nation in the form of translator, interviewee and guide recommendations, accommodation and travel references and other information.

• Film Maker Application Assessment and Liaison Services. All film makers wanting to film in the VGFN traditional territory must apply to VGFN 30 days prior to arriving in Old Crow. The applications are currently reviewed by the Chief and Council. Applicants are approved when they sign an agreement with the First Nation with specific restrictions for each project. References are required for all film makers.

  Film Makers Form   Film Makers Form

  Approved film makers can receive cultural liaison services through the Heritage Branch at the expense of the film maker. The liaison can assist the film maker to make contact with people in the community and can assist with logistical arrangements.

• Historic Site Reconstruction. The historical trading posts of Rampart House and LaPierre House are jointly owned by the Yukon Government and VGFN. Operations at the sites are conducted under the Rampart House and LaPierre House Joint Management Plan.

  The current focus is on reconstruction of the Rampart House site. VGFN in partnership with YTG has operated a seasonal work camp at Rampart House every summer since 1999. The stunning results of the painstaking work of historic reconstruction can be seen in the complete Cadzow Store building (link to picture). The next building to be reconstructed will be Cadzow House, a beautiful twin gabled house with a unique and strong construction for the time period.

• Visitor Reception Centre. VGFN is currently planning for a Visitor Reception Centre in Old Crow. This building will consist of office space for three governments and exhibit space. The VGFN Heritage Branch is planning the content of the exhibits with Parks Canada and the territorial departments of the Environment and Cultural Services. The Cultural Centre will be built by the Vuntut Development Corporation and then leased to the governments. The VGFN Heritage Branch offices will move to this space.

  Check back for diagrams of the exhibits and building structure.