Music of the Gwich'in Indians of Alaska

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.

Track Listing

101	Song of the Snow Geese Flying over the Mouth of the Yukon	Daniel John	01:36
102	Love Song	Lily Pitka	00:29
103	Love Song: Sheenjit Gwiizuu	Lily Pitka	00:25
104	Love Song: Goodbye Sheenyaa	Lily Pitka	00:29
105	Medicine Song: Shenyati's Owl Song	Silas John	02:14
106	Medicine Song (1)	Stanley Luke	01:24
107	Medicine Song (2)	Johnny Frank	00:20
108	War Song	Johnny Frank	00:32
109	Crow Dance Song (1)	Myra Robert	00:57
110	Crow Dance Song (2)	Lily Pitka	00:36
111	Song of Tribute (1)	Myra Robert	00:48
112	Song of Tribute (2)	Myra Robert	00:41
113	The Boy in the Moon	Myra Robert	01:36
114	New Year's Song	Lily Pitka	00:48
115	Goodby Song	Lily Pitka	00:40
116	Steamboat Song	Silas John	01:06
201	Red River Jig, Ch'eenatsii Ch'aradzaa	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	01:45
202	Duck Dance, Dats'an Ch'aradzaa	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	01:51
203	Brandy	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	02:39
204	Rabbit Dance, Ge Ch'aradzaa	Jimmy and Lawrence Roberts	01:32
205	Virginia Reel	Charlie Peter	01:50
206	Double Jig	Charlie Peter	01:47
207	Fox Trot	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	01:05
208	Eight Couple, Neekee Do	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	01:39
209	Square Dance, Second Part	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	02:05
210	Four Hand Reel, Lady's Earring Dance, Neets'ee T'yaa	Charlie Peter and Stanley Frank	01:12