The Gwich'in of Alaska and Canada
Fifteen villages and small towns scattered across northeast Alaska and northwest Canada are the home of
approximately 7,000 Gwich'in - the most northern location of all Indian nations. Gwich'in means "people
of the caribou", an apt name for a cultural group that largely relies on this mammal for a major part of its
economic sustenance. The Gwich'in could not have survived over many centuries without the
exploitation of smaller mammals, birds, and fish. Still, Caribou have always been the predominant feature of
their way of life - culturally as well as economically.
This cultural affinity also has deep spiritual roots. Stories of ancient times describe how northern people
lived in "peaceful intimacy," with all animals.
Tracy Farmer's first Afghan: she got Sparticus as the pick of a litter. The dam was a breeder return and badly abused,
but a survivior . She was black with two big IRON scars - the worst case of animal abuse Tracy has
ever seen. But she picked up a male pup and finished him. Just a few weeks later he was stolen.
Tracy had recently bought a bitch for him to be bred with. After losing the male, Tracy returned the female to her breeder.
Her heart wasn't in it any more. She was broken, moved to Washington state, found Afghans in the newspaper, rescued them
& found them good homes. She didn't know there was an offical Afghan Rescue program.
