—NEWS — The following was a mentorship collaboration with Fort McPherson (Teetl’it Zheh), NT youth of the Western Arctic as a freelance to Cabin Radio publication April 2, 2023.

By Karli Zschogner & Malaenah Alexie

Two-dozen people have taken part in the return of an annual snowmobile ride between Fort McPherson and Old Crow. We joined them.

The Johnny D Charlie Memorial Ski-doo Trip took place in March after three years of pandemic-related cancellations, celebrating the rejuvenation of a tradition and, for some, the completion of a bucket-list excursion.

“To see the young people that chose to come, I was really happy,” said Fort McPherson Elder Alice Vittrekwa, niece to former Teetl’it Gwich’in Chief Charlie, in whose memory the trip takes place.

“Uncle Johnny didn’t want to get lost, so he was the one that decided they should make a trip to Old Crow,” she said…..

 

READ MOREIn pictures: Fort McPherson to Old Crow by snowmobile – CABIN RADIO

About the Author: Malaenah Alexie

Malaenah Alexie is an emerging Gwich’in and Inuvialuit youth journalist from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. A former youth representative of the Teetl’it Gwich’in Band Council, she’s passionate about her culture and the land she’s grown up on.

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