The Gwich’in (also known as Kutchin) Indians live across Central and Eastern Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Their vocal music represents the more traditional way of experiencing music―unaccompanied singing. Their instrumental music, especially played on the fiddle, reflects the influence of explorers, traders, and missionaries on musical tastes. The Gwich’in adopted not only the music that whites introduced but jigs, reels, and square dances. There are several instances as well of Gwich’in adapting Native dance forms to this Western style of music.

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