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Dempster Highway North

Dempster Highway: The Dempster Highway was started in the 1950's as an industrial corridor for oil and gas reserves in Canada's far north. When Alaska struck oil in 1968, officials sped up the project. It was completed 1979, becoming the first Canadian, all-season highway to extend north of the Arctic Circle. Canadian Reindeer Project: Gwich'in Territorial Park: The Gwich'in, translated "people of the flat lands", are one of the northernmost aboriginal peoples in North America. As caribou numbers dwindled in the 1920's, the Inuvialuit of the Mackenzie Delta thought Alaskan reindeer could potentially fill the gap. So, in 1929, a few men and a huge herd began the long and arduous trek east. It was more than they bargained for. Gwich'in Culture: Gwich'in elder Robert Alexie believes it is crucial to keep the history and culture of their people alive. The Midway Lake Festival features a variety of cultural activities; traditional song, dance and music is kept alive and food like smoked caribou and smoked fish is served.

English
  • Originally Aired May 3, 2015
  • Runtime 50 minutes
  • Network Smithsonian Channel (CA)
  • Created December 4, 2017 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified December 4, 2017 by
    Administrator admin