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Caribou in the NWT
 Some
writers believe the word "caribou" was derived from the Micmac
"xalibu" which means "the pawer". Inuvialuit and Inuit call the caribou "tuktu" or
"tuktuk", Chipewyan Indians say "et-then", Dogrib
people refer to them as "ek-wo", the Gwich’in
say “Vadzaih” and to the Slavey Indians the caribou are "ekwe".
There
are four subspecies of caribou found the NWT:
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Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus)
have the widest distribution. They range over the taiga forests and tundra
of the NWT mainland. Barren-ground caribou are by far the most abundant
subspecies in the NWT and have the greatest cultural and economic
importance.
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Woodland caribou Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are divided into two
distinct populations in the NWT: Boreal and Northern Mountain. Northern Mountain caribou gather in groups that can number in the thousands during late summer to late spring, have distinct seasonal migrations,
and live in the Mackenzie Mountains. Boreal caribou live in the forests east of the Mackenzie Mountains, tend to live in small groups, prefer to
stay within the forest most of the year, and do not migrate.
-
Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus
pearyi) range throughout the Arctic Archipelago.
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Grant's
caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti)
are found mainly in Alaska and Yukon, but some caribou
from the Porcupine herd winter in the northwest corner of the NWT.
Caribou
have always been important to the people of the NWT. Their relationship
extends back at least 7,000 years. Many people still rely on caribou as
their main source of food. As well, caribou hides are still
traditionally tanned and
used for clothing such as footwear, gloves and jackets.
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