Gwich'in Athabascan Implements
133 pages, 8 1/2 x 11
73 halftones, 43 line drawings
Paperback
Release Date:01 Nov 2011
ISBN:9781602231443
Gwich'in Athabascan Implements
History, Manufacture, and Usage According to Reverend David Salmon
University of Alaska Press
The most detailed and well-illustrated study of material culture for any northern Athabascan language group to date, Gwich’in Athabascan Implements reproduces pre- and early post-contact tools that are historically important to the Athabaskan people. A long-term collaboration between anthropologist Thomas O’Brien and Athabascan elder David Salmon, this volume provides more than one hundred one-to-one sketches of a wide variety of implements, many of which are no longer commonly found in use.
“Very few ethnographers or anthropologists are willing or able to take the time to do the kind of careful work that David and Tom did together over the years. And there are very few elders anywhere in the Athabascan area who have David’s range of knowledge. . . . This is a story that needed to be told.”
Immensely interesting and insightful, Gwich’in Athabascan Implements is a core addition to any world history and anthropology collection.
The book contains the wealth of [Reverend David] Salmon's detailed information, insights, and stories in Salmon's own voice without filtering them through disciplinary jargon or theory, allowing him to continue to teach future generations about how men survived in the Arctic.This exemplary book's maps, photographs, and drawings are superb and illustrate the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the toolmakers. Important for anyone working in material culture studies, indigenous studies, or anthropology. . . . Highly recommended.
Thomas A. O’Brien received an MA in anthropology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Figures
Foreword
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Brief History
Gwich’ in Athabascan Homeland
Background
The “Tools” of Teaching
Working Together
Chapter 1: General Information Associated with the Artifacts
Rules, Taboos, and Good Luck
Raw Materials
Leadership
Trading
Chapter 2: Artifacts Associated with Hunting
Bone Spear for Grizzly Bear Hunting, Yukon Flats Style
“Little Owl” Rabbit Throwing Stick
Caribou Signaling Tool
Shoulder Blade for Moose Calling
Bows and Arrows
The Boy’s Bow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Boy’s Practice Arrow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Youth’s Bow—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Youth’s Arrows—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Man’s Bow—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
The Man’s Arrows—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
Arctic Village Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Blunter Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single-Pronged Fancy Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single- Pronged Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Bone Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Eagle Region Man’s Bone Hunting Arrow
Arctic Village Region Man’s Notched Hunting Arrow
Crow Flats Region Man’s Hunting Arrow
Man’s Iron Trade Arrow
Man’s Leaf-Shaped Iron Trade Arrow
Chapter 3: Artifacts Associated with Fishing
Bone Ice Chisel
Bone Hooks
Fish Spear
King Salmon Dip Net
Chapter 4: Artifacts Associated with General and Special Purposes
Caribou Leg Bone Knife
The Athabascan Staff of Life
Rain Chaser
Chapter 5: Artifacts Associated with Gaming
Caribou Toe Game or “Grandpa’s Heel”
Cone-Shaped Stick Game
Pulling Stick Game
Chapter 6: Artifacts Associated with Manufacturing
Moose Leg Bone Skinner, Yukon Flats Style
Tanana River–Style Skinner
Caribou Hind Leg Scraper or Beaming Tool
Bone Puncher/Awl
Bone Snowshoe Needle
Snowshoe Gimlet
How to Measure Snowshoe Frames
Conclusion
Reflections on the Partnership
Committing to Friendship and Partnering
Common Ground and Partnership
Lasting Commitments
Appendix I: Glossary
Appendix II: Gwich'in Nomenclature
Bibliography
Index
Foreword
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Brief History
Gwich’ in Athabascan Homeland
Background
The “Tools” of Teaching
Working Together
Chapter 1: General Information Associated with the Artifacts
Rules, Taboos, and Good Luck
Raw Materials
Leadership
Trading
Chapter 2: Artifacts Associated with Hunting
Bone Spear for Grizzly Bear Hunting, Yukon Flats Style
“Little Owl” Rabbit Throwing Stick
Caribou Signaling Tool
Shoulder Blade for Moose Calling
Bows and Arrows
The Boy’s Bow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Boy’s Practice Arrow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Youth’s Bow—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Youth’s Arrows—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Man’s Bow—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
The Man’s Arrows—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
Arctic Village Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Blunter Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single-Pronged Fancy Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single- Pronged Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Bone Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Eagle Region Man’s Bone Hunting Arrow
Arctic Village Region Man’s Notched Hunting Arrow
Crow Flats Region Man’s Hunting Arrow
Man’s Iron Trade Arrow
Man’s Leaf-Shaped Iron Trade Arrow
Chapter 3: Artifacts Associated with Fishing
Bone Ice Chisel
Bone Hooks
Fish Spear
King Salmon Dip Net
Chapter 4: Artifacts Associated with General and Special Purposes
Caribou Leg Bone Knife
The Athabascan Staff of Life
Rain Chaser
Chapter 5: Artifacts Associated with Gaming
Caribou Toe Game or “Grandpa’s Heel”
Cone-Shaped Stick Game
Pulling Stick Game
Chapter 6: Artifacts Associated with Manufacturing
Moose Leg Bone Skinner, Yukon Flats Style
Tanana River–Style Skinner
Caribou Hind Leg Scraper or Beaming Tool
Bone Puncher/Awl
Bone Snowshoe Needle
Snowshoe Gimlet
How to Measure Snowshoe Frames
Conclusion
Reflections on the Partnership
Committing to Friendship and Partnering
Common Ground and Partnership
Lasting Commitments
Appendix I: Glossary
Appendix II: Gwich'in Nomenclature
Bibliography
Index
