Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation

The historic sites of Gindèhchik (Rampart House) and Zheh Gwatsàl (LaPierre House), are an important part of Gwich’in culture and history and are recognized in the Vuntut Gwitchin Final Agreement.

Today, Old Crow is the home community for the Vuntut Gwitchin – People of the Lakes. While the only way to get there is by plane, it’s worth the short flight to experience this place of beautiful culture, people, and land. With the help of Indigenous Yukon, we’ve put together a list of things to do and see for an unforgettable visit to the north-most community in the Yukon.

Kris encourages young people to learn about their agreements and then use that knowledge to get involved directly and indirectly with implementation of those modern treaties. He also shares the importance of maintaining connection to the land.

Stephen shares how modern treaties are a path forward, discusses the Yukon Government’s role in negotiations, and encourages youth to seek out mentor relationships.

For millennia, the Gwich’in have lived in and travelled to the Van Tat, British Mountains and Porcupine River area in northern Yukon.

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation’s Final Agreement made it possible for the First Nation to acquire a 49% interest in Air North, Yukon’s Airline.

Have you visited Ni''iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park? Together, the park (whose name means "where fish spawn") and adjacent Habitat Protection Area and Settlement Lands protect a distinct ecosystem in the Traditional Territory of the Vuntut Gwichin First Nation.

Vuntut National Park was established through the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement in 1995, to protect the traditional and current Gwich’in way of life, and the water, plants and animals essential to their culture.

Land ownership and management was a major reason that the Yukon Final and Self-Government Agreements were negotiated. These agreements give direction on who owns the land and how decisions about land are made.