Rev. Dr. Chief Trimble Gilbert is a Gwich’in Athabascan Elder, fluent speaker of Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik, and a dedicated cultural leader from Arctic Village, Alaska. Born in 1935 at a trapping camp 70 miles from his home, he was raised in the traditional ways of his ancestors and continues to live a subsistence lifestyle rooted in Gwich’in values.
Chief Gilbert currently serves as the First Traditional Chief of the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) region, having previously held the role of Second Traditional Chief from 2009 to 2021. He is also an Episcopal priest, a nationally renowned fiddle player, and a passionate music educator who has performed throughout the United States and Canada. Through his mentorship and involvement in programs like Dancing with the Spirit, he has worked tirelessly to pass on the traditions of fiddle music to younger generations.
In recognition of his profound contributions to Alaska Native culture, language, and education, the University of Alaska Fairbanks awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2016, and he was recently honored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
As a culture bearer, spiritual leader, and advocate for Indigenous knowledge, Chief Gilbert’s life work ensures that Gwich’in language, traditions, and values remain strong for future generations.