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Abstract:

Gwich’in and Inuvialuit inhabitants of the Mackenzie Deltain Canada’s Northwest Territories have witnessed an eventful history in relation to colonialism and environmental transformation.Their current lives are characterized by mobility, mixing and melting as they negotiate new and old livelihoods, continuity in traditions, and thawing permafrost landscapes. Approaching these lives in terms of volatility opens up an experience-near understanding of people’s relations with perpetual, uncertain transformations. Differently situated delta in habitants have different ways of dealing with these uncertain dynamics, but all are characterized by an improvisation that carries forth reputable activities and attitudes by new means. Dispositions like curiosity, playfulness, and risk-taking must not be seen as lacking resolve to confront transformations, but should be appreciated as skills for inhabiting a volatile world.