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TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
The 2012 bi-annual Gwich'in Gathering didn't attract as many participants as expected, but the event was still a success, say organizers.

Sarah James from Alaska speaks during one of the morning meetings during the Gwich'in Gathering in Fort McPherson which took place from July 22 to 28. Approximately 300 people attended the event. - photo courtesy of Robert Alexie Jr.

"It was a really good week," said Shawna Nerysoo, community co-ordinator. "I'm satisfied with the turnout and how much our visitors enjoyed themselves."

More than 800 people were expected to arrive in Fort McPherson for the gathering, which took place from July 22 to 28.

Instead, only about 200 to 300 visitors took part.

Nerysoo said lack of funds and the time it took for United States' participates from Alaska to get passports accounted for the low attendance.

Still, Nerysoo said the gathering accomplished its goals, with participants discussing everything from the porcupine caribou herd to climate change.

"It was basically a discussion among the leadership, to discuss issues that they're facing," she said.

Discussions included possible reasons why the porcupine caribou are migrating earlier than usual. Nerysoo said people in the NWT, Yukon and Alaska depend on the herd.

"(It's important) because the caribou is important to the Gwich'in people, it's our way of life, it's our source of life," she said.

There was discussion of helping Alaskan Gwich'in to lobby the United States government to better protect the herd, she said.

The gathering also resulted in the passing of a resolution calling for the full protection of the Peel River Watershed from infrastructure and industrial activity. According to the peel watershed planning commission, "the Peel Watershed Planning Region is an unpopulated area in the northern Yukon about the size of New Brunswick (or 67,431 square km).It lies north of the village of Mayo and northeast of Dawson City."

A recommended land use plan submitted by the Peel Watershed Planning Commission sets aside 80 per cent of the region from development and leaves the additional 20 per cent open for new resource development.

In addition to discussions, the gathering was also a time to visit and have fun, said Mayor Hazel Nerysoo.

"It was not only just sitting in the meetings and discussing things, they were out there having fun also," she said.

Dances and games were held every night and baseball, tug-of-war and other activities took place throughout the afternoons.

Nerysoo said people from other communities were delighted to see how many young people participated.

"Our visitors were impressed by how much our youth are involved in our traditional dancing," she said. "They were up on the dance floor doing square dances. The youth are learning that and taking over."

Hazel said though she spent much of the gathering working, the events' sights and sounds were infectious - even while she worked in her office late one night.

"I'm right across from the hall and as I'm sitting here working, I could hear the fiddle music over here," she said. "It just brought out the whole community."

Cookouts were held each night as well, thanks to summer students and community volunteers. Both the mayor and the community co-ordinator said the gathering couldn't have happened without the dedication of volunteers.

"We had really good cooks and lots of volunteers," Nerysoo said.

The next gathering is scheduled to take place in Old Crow, Yukon, in 2014.

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