Home to the Gwich’in speaking First Nation, Old Crow, the northernmost community in the Yukon is the only community that cannot be reached by vehicle. Old Crow was named after Chief Deetru K’avihdik, after his passing in the 1870s. His name translates into “Crow May I Walk”.
Old Crow is one of the oldest settled areas of North America. Because of the remoteness of the area the Vuntut Gwitchin’s main source of livelihood is working for the growing Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation government and many still rely on trapping, hunting, and fishing. The Porcupine Caribou has provided the main source of meat and hide for boots, moccasins, mitts, traditional outfits, and other decorative things, for generations. Every part of the caribou is used by people.
The people of Old Crow are well-known for their good humour and their love of music and dancing, especially fiddling and jigging. Today Old Crow boasts a population of around three hundred people.