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