INUVIK
Dozens upon dozens of people turned out to mark the annual Gwich'in Day last week, celebrating the culture and the stories that brought them to today.

Michelle Ellton, left, and Dreyson Ellton get in on the fun at the Gwich'in Day celebrations at the Nihtat Gwich'in Council offices April 22. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photos

Events ranged throughout the day from a barbecue meal served at the Nihtat Gwich'in Council offices to a feast and dance at the community hall organized by the Gwich'in Tribal Council. More than 100 people from all backgrounds turned out for both events.

"It's really important," said Nihtat event organizer Margaret Gordon. "It's a way for us to celebrate our culture, our traditions."

Gordon noted the cookout in front of the building was - to her knowledge - the first public cookout of the season, something everyone looks forward to, she said. With a plethora of food on offer throughout the afternoon, she estimated more than 150 people came through the doors.

"It's a long winter, a lot of people have been hibernating, they haven't been getting out and seeing each other much," Gordon said. "It's good to see everyone out, seeing each other for the first time in months, maybe."

Staff at the office had been cooking all week, preparing everything from turkeys and beef to traditional foods like fish and caribou stew. Gordon said the homey smells from the cooking travelled throughout the building and made people's mouths water as they came in.

Although the day is meant to celebrate the signing of the Gwich'in land claim in 1992, Gordon and other organizers said the events were open to anyone, Inuvialuit and non-aboriginal alike.

Nihtat Gwich'in Council president Jozef Carnogursky agreed, noting that while April 22 marked the 24th anniversary of the signing, the territorial and federal governments were also signatories on the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.

"While there have been challenges along the way, there have also been many successes that we as Gwich'in should be proud of," Carnogursky said. "The Gwich'in are now having positive and significant impacts in all aspects of society."

He said he was pleased to see community members, along with members of municipal town council, Inuvialuit leaders and former Gwich'in leaders come out for the event, and that he is already looking forward to next year's celebration.

So was Gordon. She said that while the day can mean many things for different people, she always takes away the same message.

"Everyone has their own idea about what Gwich'in Day is," she said. "For me, it's getting together and conversing with people I haven't seen in a while."

More than anything, she hoped that people left with a sense of community and pride in their heritage.

"I hope when they leaver here today, they think to themselves, 'That was a good meal,'" she said. "That they walk away with a good feeling and full belly."