Old Crow - Thursday workshop
Hello sunny Thursday! The river is low today but it remains sparkling.
Today was the Official Opening of Caribou Days. Joe Tetlichi shared his knowlede about the caribou and how special Caribou Days is - it is about keeping the caribou healthy along with the Gwich’in Culture. Vuntut Gwitchin Counsellor Debra-Leigh Reti spoke and we also got to hear from a scientist (I am so sorry I do not remember his name) but he is a self proclaimed ‘nerd about caribou’. He knew the numbers of the herd - 200,000 strong - (growing every year due to conservation and care by the Gwich’in people) and where they are as they head to the calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. I guess they track the caribou by putting a collared tracking device on them. Over the last 10 years (I think) the herd has steadily been growing! The Porcupine Caribou are doing well because the Gwich’in people are caring for them and making sure they can thrive.
Teresa Frost continues to be THE MOST AMAZING HOST ! She always tells us what the schedule is and what to expect and has a wicked sense of humour.
The Muskrats were all laid out for later in the day and I remembered to take pictures of the display of hides, boots, gloves and dry meat bags all made from Caribou!
Oh yes, and please don’t forget…we had another day of filmmaking!
Kayleen continued on her edits, finessing her transitions and continue to consider music.
Sophie reviewed the mentors suggestions for edits. Within the Our World workshop the director/ filmmaker has complete control over the project. Sophie asked for our help for her story and then she can take or leave any advice. So today she was using her paper script to help her edit her film.
Mary Jane continues to select more imagery and video for her film. She also recorded some more audio today.
Today there were lots of outside games during Caribou Days. We tried to run back and forth from the Community Hall to the Tizya Center a bit - making sure the filmmakers were supported. There was the Gwich’in Man and Woman contest where a man contestant sets up the tent and the woman contestant takes the tent down-there was about 4 teams - all timed! There was also the Crow Flats relay race where the person had to lay in the tent and then put shoes on and then saw wood and then put wood in the camp stove and then make tea and then pluck a duck and then make the muskrat trap go off and then put muskrat skin on the stretcher to dry and then skin a caribou leg and then lay back int he tent - it was hilarious. We also saw the mens and women’s Muskrat Skinning contest. WOW. How talented folks on the land need to be!
Frances Ross (a teacher who has since moved away) competed in the Gwich’in Man and Woman contest and the muskrat skinning! And did very well today…CONGRATS! Also of note Chief Paula Frost was an incredible competitor today!
We were also introduced to Indian Bingo where folks gather around a table full of gifts in the centre. Then there are 3 pairs of dice that everyone around the table takes turns rolling. Every time you roll a double you get to grab a prize and pass the dice on. Once all the gifts are distributed every time you roll a double you get to steal someone else’s gift! it is fast paced and hilarious - the big bag of dry meat was a hot commodity and stolen so many times!
People are coming from all around the Yukon, Alaska and BC to visit for Caribou Days! Edward K came from Whitehorse and it was so nice to see him - we sent a picture and a text to Lisa and Paolo who met Edward for the Sound We See Old Crow workshop!
After supper - bbq caribou, corn and salad - there was the jigging contest which was INCREDIBLE ! It was nice to see Ally dancing! The chief’s daughter was amazing as well! There were so many styles of the jig - some very fast and fancy footwork…this was so joyful to see.
Mentor lisa g even got up and danced with the chief’s husband! (Lucky we had been practicing during the film workshops!)
Next was the 50’s twist contest which was full of costumes and laughter. Like the jig you entered the contest in teams….music from that era was played and folks had 45 seconds to dazzle the judges and the crowd! Mary Jane and (Edwards mom) Elizabeth Kaye surprised everyone with their own hilarious dance - complete with costumes! It seems the top 3 win cash prizes too!
Everyone goes home with a tummy sore from laughing so much!
MAHSI!
