Research

Tuktut Nogait Oral History Project

Rationale

Lena Ruben interviewing Billy Ruben.

Little is known about the past history of the land, and use of the land by Inuvialuit, within and around Tuktut Nogait National Park. An oral history project was conducted to collect traditional knowledge from Elders about the physical, biological and cultural resources of the park. This project is a research priority for Tuktut Nogait National Park.

Objectives

• To collect traditional knowledge of the physical, biological and cultural resources of Tuktut Nogait National Park and the surrounding area from Elders.

Methods and Information Collected

• Elders who have lived in Paulatuk and travelled in and around Tuktut Nogait National Park were interviewed from 1999 to 2001.
• The following 9 people were interviewed: Edward Ruben, Billy Ruben, Mary Evik Ruben, Tommy Thrasher, Tony Green, Sam Green, Moses Arnauyak, Annie Illasiak and Father Leonce Dehurtevente.
• Interviews were conducted in English and Inuvialuktun. A translator was hired from the community when necessary.
• Elders were asked a set of questions about their family history, the Inuvialuktun language, wildlife, plants, fish, traditional foods, harvesting, travelling, living on the land and traditional clothing.
• The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed.

Results

• Cathy Cockney with Edward Ruben.

  Elders possess extensive knowledge of the environment and past history of the park and surrounding area.
• They provided valuable information on cultural resources found in the park.
• Their knowledge has given insight into wildlife found in the area and their movements and changes over time.
• Recorded interviews have been edited.
• Transcripts of conversations with Father Leonce Dehurtevent have been produced into the report Paulatuuq Oral History Project, Interview Transcripts of Father Leonce Dehurtevent. The remaining interviews will be completed and distributed in the winter of 2002/2003.

Contacts

Cathy Cockney
Cultural Resource Management Officer
Parks Canada
P.O. Box 1840
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-8803
Fax: (867) 777-8820
Cathy.Cockney@pc.gc.ca