Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments

Grantee: Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments

Investment: $743,481

Success: The Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments used ARP funds to start a project to record Gwich’in or Upper Koyukon Dene’ Elders sharing traditional and contemporary stories in their language. The project is currently in its second year of its three-year plan. Elders have shared stories about nomadic seasonal activities with traditional land use knowledge, historical figures, and traditional values. They also tell contemporary stories, including ones about time elders spent attending boarding schools, The Vietnam era, and prior pandemics, which were devastating to their communities and tribes. Elders are committed to sharing their traditional stories, songs, and language with future generations.