Collection N-1993-501 - Arctic Red River (Tsiigehtchic) Oral History Project collection

Alestine Andre was born in 1951 in Aklavik, NWT to Eliza (Sam) and Hyacinthe Andre. She lived on the land with her family until the age of six. Beginning in 1958, Andre attended school at the RC Mission School in Aklavik, Grollier Hall in Inuvik, Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife, and she graduated from Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik. Alestine Andre spent her summers with her family at their camp.

Andre graduated with a diploma in Public Administration from Camosun College in 1987, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Women’s Studies from the University of Victoria in 1994, and with a Master’s degree in Ethnobotany from the University of Victoria in 2006.

Alestine Andre worked for CBC Radio in Inuvik, the Committee for Original Peoples’ Entitlement (COPE, now the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation), and the Mackenzie Delta Tribal Council (now Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC)). In 1994, Andre began her career with the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute (GSCI, now the GTC’s Department of Cultural Heritage). During her time with GSCI, Andre worked as Cultural Director, Executive Director, and Heritage Researcher.

Alestine Andre’s contributions to culture and heritage have been recognized by a number of organizations. In 2005, Andre was awarded a Gwich’in Achievement Award by the GTC in the career category of Gwich’in Culture. In 2007, Andre was awarded a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the category of Culture, Heritage and Spirituality. In 2012, Andre was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.