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In Old Crow on February 9, 2010, a history of the Vuntut Gwitchin based on 10 years of community research was launched. “People of the Lakes ~ Stories of Our Van Tat Gwich’in Elders/ Googwandak Nakhwach’anjoo Van Tat Gwich’in” was inspired by the Vuntut Gwitchin Elders and Vuntut Gwitchin Heritage Committee, who directed the oral history research and subsequent production of the book. Significantly, the book is co-authored by Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and long-term community researcher anthropologist Shirleen Smith. The University of Alberta Press published the book with care, attention to detail and dedication, and the community is very proud of the excellent final product. Co-author Shirleen Smith shepherded the book through the long publishing process and represented the direction of the Heritage Committee. Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Joe Linklater wrote the Foreword to the book, and his words will inspire his people and non-Gwich'in readers by his depth of understanding and appreciation for the knowledge of his Elders.

At the book launch, the immense contribution of the Elders who shared their stories was recognized by a gift of a commemorative photo album showcasing the Elders and their land. These albums were presented to each Elder who contributed to the book, or to a representative of their family in the case of Elders who have passed on.

List of Elders Acknowledged and Family Members Presented to:

Elders:	Presented to:
Charlie and Ellen Abel	Marion Schafer
Sarah Abel	Laurence Lord
Peter and Martha Benjamin	Martha Benjamin
Robert Sr. and Ellen Bruce	Ellen Bruce
Alfred and Helen Charlie	Alfred Charlie
Charlie Peter and Fanny Charlie	Fanny Charlie
Lazarus and Mary Charlie	Hugh Charlie
Martha John Charlie	Allan Benjamin
Harold and Clara Frost	Freddy Frost
Donald and Alice Frost	Donald Frost
Stephen Sr. and Ethel Frost	Stephen Frost Sr.
Bella Greenland	Bella Greenland
Dolly Josie	Nancy Flett
Edith Josie	Tammy Josie
Peter Josie	Peter Josie
Eliza Ben Kassi	Norma Kassi
Paul Ben and Mary Kassi	Mabel Tetlichi
John Joe and Sarah Kaye	John Joe Kaye
Big Joe and Myra Kaye	Joel Peter
John and Martha Kendi	Randal Kendi
Tabitha Kyikavichik and Joseph Peter	Michael Peter
Charlie and Emily Linklater	Joe Linklater
Archie and Effie Linklater	Norman Linklater
Irwin Linklater	Irwin Linklater
Pete and Annie Lord	Irene Lord
Neil MacDonald	Jimmy Linklater
Jane Montgomery	Jane Montgomery
John Moses	Adeline Charlie
Mary Jane Moses	Mary Jane Moses
Chief Peter and Myra Moses	Georgie Moses
Joe and Hannah Netro	Hannah Netro
Mary Netro	Florence Netro
Stanley Njootli Sr.	Stanley Njootli Sr.
Grafton Njootli	Nellie Njootli
Dick and Marion Nukon	Dick Nukon
Kenneth and Annie Nukon	Henry Nukon
Abraham and Mary Peter	Jeffrey Peter
Marion Schafer	Marion Schafer
Sarah Simon	Susie Look
Charlie and Jesse Thomas	Willie Thomas
Lydia Thomas	Randal Francis
Mary Thomas	Lena Josie
Andrew Tizya	Ida Tizya
Old Peter and Clara (Linklater) Tizya	Erika Tizya
Moses and Martha Tizya	John Joseph Kaye
Peter Tizya	Clara Tizya
Mary Tizya	Mary Tizya

Gwichin genealogist Tracy Rispin and Photographers Roy Hall, Beth-Ann Exham, Father Jean-Marie Mouchet, Nina Raginsky, Shirleen Smith, Graham Baird and Pat Arey were also recognized for their contributions with a gift of an album. Other family members wanting to purchase a copy of this album can contact Dorothy Frost at the John Tizya Centre (867) 966-3233 to sign up. Cost will be around $70, depending on how many copies are printed. The Vuntut Gwitchin Government chose to publish their history through an academic publisher rather than simply printing (self-publishing) the book in order to ensure that it is recognized by all readers – the general public, academics, and Vuntut Gwitchin alike – as an authoritative account of Vuntut Gwitchin history, and a book of the quality expected by the Elders who wanted their history available for their children and the world to read. The book consists of: Forward, Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, Long Ago Stories, The First Generation (19th Century), The Second Generation (early 20th Century), The Oral History of Today (VG Commentary on Past, Present and Future), Notes, Glossary, Bibliography, Index. 391 pages. Around 250 colour photographs. ‘People of the Lakes’ is available for purchase from U of A Press, in Old Crow at the John Tizya Centre and at Mac’s Fireweed in Whitehorse. Retail price is $34.99. Note: The Modern Gwich’in spelling system is used throughout the book in order to be consistent with the Gwich’in instruction at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School. Links and Awards: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca Mary Jane’s speech Elders photo album text Canadian Historical Associationh Alberta Book Publishing Awards shortlist Tom Fairly award Book of the year Interview with Mary Jane Canada's history book review please leave a message on our forum

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