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Culture is defined as
learned or acquired ideas, beliefs, and
knowledge that are shared by many people. In
the Northwest Territories there are two
primary cultures: indigenous and Canadian.
Indigenous culture comes from the nomadic
hunting and fishing life of indigenous
people before the arrival of Europeans.
Canadian culture has its roots in western
civilization, but its basic characteristics
stem from Canada’s history, geography, and
market economy.
During the fur trade with Europeans in the
19th century, indigenous people came into
contact with missionaries, and this contact
caused important changes in the indigenous
culture. However, the most dramatic cultural
adjustment began after indigenous peoples
moved into settlements, which were typically
fur-trading posts with no economic base. The
first generation of people born and raised
in settlements had difficulty adjusting.
Sent to schools rather than to the trap
lines, young boys and girls were cut off
from their parents’ culture, and most were
unable to find employment in their
settlements. As they became more dependent
on welfare in the 1960s, social problems
arose, including high rates of alcoholism,
family violence, and suicide. These problems
continue to plague northern settlements.
Indigenous languages were among the
casualties of the rapid social change; as
people began to speak English, indigenous
languages fell into disuse. Not all changes
were negative, however.
By the 1970s positive signs of cultural
change appeared with the emergence of
indigenous leaders. They demanded land claim
settlements and a new political territory
called Denendeh Territories. While the Dene
leaders failed to achieve a political union
of their tribes, two Dene tribes—the
Gwich’in and the Sahtu—have achieved land
claims agreements.
The indigenous peoples also experienced an
increase in indigenous pride. Modern land
claims agreements have allowed indigenous
peoples to refocus their energies and their
culture. One example of this is the native
cultural activities, such as the Arctic
Winter Games. The Arctic Winter Games
feature a variety of Canadian and
traditional indigenous games and sports.
Traditional games are based on feats of
strength and agility. The games are held
every two years and bring together athletes
from other northern places, including Alaska
and Greenland.
used recourses :
Encyclopedia Article Center from Encarta
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