Tłı̨chǫ Use and Knowledge of ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀

Category: 
Environmental Monitoring, Traditional Knowledge

This report describes the Tłı̨chǫ Traditional Knowledge (TK) study of the area encompassing Seabridge Gold Inc’s exploration project at ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ (Courageous Lake). The purpose of the TK research was to identify Tłı̨chǫ use and knowledge of the ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ area. The Tłı̨chǫ Government will use this report in the environmental assessment process for the proposed gold mine at ɂewaànit’iitì.

The report describes the cultural significance of ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀. Tłı̨chǫ use and knowledge of ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ is described by following Tłı̨chǫ seasonal lifeways throughout the study area. The research results describe the use of ɂewaànit’iitì during fall and winter. In the fall Tłı̨chǫ traveled to ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ to hunt caribou, collect plants for traditional medicines, pick berries and to fish. Tłı̨chǫ people overwintered at ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀, hunting and trapping. The journey from the ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ area back to the treeline and towards Behchokǫ̀ is described. The stories of the Elders are used to explain the use of the area.

The study documented traditional knowledge of caribou migration route from ɂek’atì (Lac De Gras) in the north through ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀ and Nǫdìikahtì (Mackay Lake) towards Wekweètì and the Tłı̨chǫ hunting grounds. Concerns and predicted impacts from the proposed development on one of the main caribou migration routes towards the Tłı̨chǫ hunting grounds are described by the elders.

Download the report: Traditional Knowledge Report: Tłı̨chǫ Use and Knowledge of ɂewaànıt’ııtı̀