Christine Creyke

Bio

In April 2006, Christine Creyke graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) with her bachelor’s degree in Geography. After graduation she gained employment in one of her home communities, Dease Lake (in northwestern BC), as the land stewardship coordinator where she learned about her people, and the struggle with resource extraction.

Due to the abundance of exploration/mining companies on her people’s traditional territories and the overwhelming hurt her people are feeling, Christine decided to continue her studies at the master’s level. She is currently finishing up the final stages of her master’s degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Studies (NRES) at UNBC. She hopes that by educating herself, both in traditional ways and western ways, she will help her people stay strong and rooted in their culture. Upon completion of her thesis in the fall of 2010, Christine plans to share her research and what she has learned with her communities.

Community
My father is Tahltan from Telegraph Creek, British Columbia and my mother is Vuntut Gwitchin from Old Crow, Yukon; I like to think of myself as a Tahl’chin. Currently residing in Prince George, Christine plans to be based in Old Crow, Yukon during her fellowship.

Issue of investigation
As a recipient of the Jane Glassco Arctic Fellowship, Christine will take the opportunity to conduct research in her mother’s home community of Old Crow. She will be working with Elders, and other community members to further incorporate traditional knowledge (TK) into resource development. She hopes that the research and reports written will deepen her understanding of the issues that First Nations people are faced with and help her develop policy ideas to address those pressing issues.