Gwich’in Athabascan Implements
History, Manufacture, and Usage According to Reverend David Salmon
Distributed for University of Alaska Press
- Contents
- Review Quotes

Foreword
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Brief History
Gwich’ in Athabascan Homeland
Background
The “Tools” of Teaching
Working Together
Chapter 1: General Information Associated with the Artifacts
Rules, Taboos, and Good Luck
Raw Materials
Leadership
Trading
Chapter 2: Artifacts Associated with Hunting
Bone Spear for Grizzly Bear Hunting, Yukon Flats Style
“Little Owl” Rabbit Throwing Stick
Caribou Signaling Tool
Shoulder Blade for Moose Calling
Bows and Arrows
The Boy’s Bow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Boy’s Practice Arrow—For Ages Five to Ten
The Youth’s Bow—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Youth’s Arrows—For Ages Ten to Fifteen
The Man’s Bow—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
The Man’s Arrows—For Ages Fifteen to Adult
Arctic Village Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Blunter Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Blunter Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single-Pronged Fancy Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Single- Pronged Water Arrow
Birch Creek Region Man’s Bone Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Yukon Flats Region Man’s Metal Two-Pronged Water Arrow
Eagle Region Man’s Bone Hunting Arrow
Arctic Village Region Man’s Notched Hunting Arrow
Crow Flats Region Man’s Hunting Arrow
Man’s Iron Trade Arrow
Man’s Leaf-Shaped Iron Trade Arrow
Chapter 3: Artifacts Associated with Fishing
Bone Ice Chisel
Bone Hooks
Fish Spear
King Salmon Dip Net
Chapter 4: Artifacts Associated with General and Special Purposes
Caribou Leg Bone Knife
The Athabascan Staff of Life
Rain Chaser
Chapter 5: Artifacts Associated with Gaming
Caribou Toe Game or “Grandpa’s Heel”
Cone-Shaped Stick Game
Pulling Stick Game
Chapter 6: Artifacts Associated with Manufacturing
Moose Leg Bone Skinner, Yukon Flats Style
Tanana River–Style Skinner
Caribou Hind Leg Scraper or Beaming Tool
Bone Puncher/Awl
Bone Snowshoe Needle
Snowshoe Gimlet
How to Measure Snowshoe Frames
Conclusion
Reflections on the Partnership
Committing to Friendship and Partnering
Common Ground and Partnership
Lasting Commitments
Appendix I: Glossary
Appendix II: Gwich’in Nomenclature
Bibliography
Index
“Very few ethnographers or anthropologists are willing or able to take the time to do the kind of careful work that David and Tom did together over the years. And there are very few elders anywhere in the Athabascan area who have David’s range of knowledge. . . . This is a story that needed to be told.”
Anthropology: Cultural and Social Anthropology
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