In collaboration with Trail Films, the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Department of Culture and Lands Protection have developed the film Kǫ̀k’etı̀: Walking with Caribou.
The film follows the journey of Ekwǫ̀ Nàxoèhdee K’è caribou monitors as we use traditional methods to travel across the land to watch over the Bathurst herd. The film focuses on the Tłı̨chǫ people’s relationship with the Bathurst caribou that migrate across our traditional territory, and has been a source of food, clothing and cultural identity since time immemorial. However, in the last 30 years, the herd has declined from 480,000 to only 6,200 animals. Climate change, predation, hunting and industrial development are all factors leading to the decline.
Knowing that something must be done, the Tłı̨chǫ people take action and developed the caribou monitoring program. Using the traditional teachings of our elders, we travel to the barren land and walk the land with the caribou to watch over them in their time of need.
Kǫ̀k’etı̀: Walking with Caribou is presented at the following film festivals:
- Nunavut International Film Festival - Iqaluit, Nunavut - February 21, 2022
- North Dakota Environmental Rights Film Festival - Fargo, North Dakota - April 20, 2022
- International Wildlife Film Festival - Missoula, Montana - April 23, 2022
- Wildlife Conservation Film Festival - New York, New York - October 13, 2022
People involved: John B. Zoe, Tammy Steinwand-Deschambeault, Tyanna Steinwand, Petter Jacobsen, Michel Louis Rabesca, Roy Judas, Russell Drybones, Joe Lazare Zoe, the late Leon Ekendia, JJ Simpson, Nora Ekendia, Eva Mantla, Camilia Zoe-Chocolate, John Nishi, Jimmy P Mantla, Mike Simpson, Peter Huskey, and John Franklin & Mercie Kaodloak.
Special thanks to Chad Galloway, Trail Films Inc.
Link to film:
Contact:
Tyanna Steinwand
Manager of Research Operations
Department of Culture and Lands Protection
Behchokǫ̀ Office - Tłı̨chǫ Government
Phone: 867-392-6381 ext 1357
Email: [email protected]
