[7] In 2006, a survey conducted among school-aged children in Chateh reported a native-speaker proficiency rate of 65%.[11]. They were the last Nation in Alberta to take reservations, the Chief then being the the last Hereditary Chief in Canada. The Dene Tha’ have always been skilled hunters, trappers and fishermen. The burial markers used by the Dene Tha’ in more recent time are called Spirit Houses, or “Dene K’ih Koanh.” These houses are placed on the grave in a ceremony one year after the actual burial. [8][9], Dene Dháh (/'dɛnɛ ðɑh/) translates to 'Dene language' is the preferred name for the language spoken by the Dene Thá, but linguists and anthropologists commonly refer to the language simply as a dialect of South Slavey. Intergenerational disjunctures in the Dene Tha First Nation of northern Alberta: adults' nostalgia and youths' 'counter-narratives' on language revitalization. Sahtu Dene Council PO BOX 173, DELINE, NT, X0E 0G0 PH: (867) 589-3020 FX: (867) 589-3026 However, this nomadic lifestyle was not random; the seasonal migration of people followed very specific patterns. The purpose of a Traditional Land-Use and Occupancy Study (TLUOS) is to record and illustrate the presence First Nations had, and still continue to have, on the land in their traditional territories; and to record and disseminate traditional knowledge (or traditional environmental knowledge, often known as TEK) to members of the community who do not possess this information, and to those outside of the community who know very little about First Nations people. [2][3] Dene Thá First Nation is a member of the North Peace Tribal Council.[4]. This page was last edited on 10 May 2021, at 23:28. Hunting trips would last “as long as it took,” said Pierre Ahnassy. The reason to have a Tea Dance is revealed to the prophets or spiritual leaders of the community through their dreams. Moore, Patrick and Angela Wheelock. It is a preferred way of life for many people. It was thought that the introduction of the Spirit Houses came from the Crees. Every part of the moose is utilized; the hide is tanned and used to make moccasins and clothing, and the meat is either frozen or dried. The Dene Tha’ are very spiritual people. The Dene Thá (/'dɛnɛ ðɑː/) First Nation is a First Nations government of the South Slavey in Northern Alberta, Canada. Dene Tha First Nation About The Dene Tha’ The Dene Tha’ (or People Common to the Territory, or Common Peoples) are divided into three separate communities located in Northwest Alberta – Bushe River, Meander River, and Chateh (formerly known as Assumption). Surnames were unknown after the child became of age, their names were changed to the names of animals that they first killed. They remained one of the most isolated groups until recently. Dene Tha’ adapted to a more semi-permanent lifestyle around the turn of the century. © 2021 Dene Tha First Nation. Website by Somnia.ca. As a result, there may be more than one name for a particular place. Tea Dances are still held regularly in Chateh and Meander River, and are very important to the Dene Tha’ culture. Members of the Dene Tha’ First Nation, who lived in Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta had already lived through more than a decade of oil and gas development. Dene is the common Athabaskan word for "people". Wolverine Myths and Visions: Dene Traditions from Northern Alberta. Its population is centered primarily in three communities: Bushe River, Meander River, and Chateh (formerly known as Assumption), but approximately 600 members who live off-reserve. The fur buyer will come into the community and drive house to house to the known trappers to collect the prepared furs. History. It was absolute importance that people share what they had long ago, just for survival. However, dog travel still holds a sentimental place in the hearts of many Dene Tha’ elders. At a clearing just outside Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Park, a marshy patch of remote, northwestern Alberta, Chief James Ahnassay parks his late-model SUV and says, “This is where I was born.”. They were the last Nation in Alberta to take reservations, the Chief then being the the last Hereditary Chief in Canada. The Dene Tha’ were constantly on the move, searching for food. [6], The Dene Thá First Nation signed Treaty 8 in 1900. Dene Tha’ adapted to a more semi-permanent lifestyle around the turn of the century. The Dene Tha' are one of the least-known First Nations in North America. Dene Tha history is interesting and important, but the Dene Tha Indians are still here today, too, and we try to feature modern writers as well as traditional folklore, contemporary art as well as museum pieces, and issues and struggles of today as well as the tragedies of yesterday. For example, the Habay Road was once a wagon road used by the Dene Tha’. The Tea Dance (or “Dahot s’ethe”) is a deeply religious ceremony for the Dene Tha’. There are many stories recounted by the Dene Tha’ elders which describe “when we first lived in a log house.” It is only relatively recently that the Dene Tha’ lived any type of sedentary lifestyle in the main contemporary communities. People died in great numbers when the “white” sicknesses, such as smallpox, measles and mumps, came to the area. In the past, the Cree from the south acted as “middlemen” in the fur trade, establishing trading posts where they would collect furs from the Dene to the north. Total acreage is 74,224. Often they were wrapped in canvas or tarps and placed in shallow graves in the ground. Simons, Gary F. and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). Elder George Blondin wrote it best in his exposé the “Legend of Yamoria and the Meaning of the Dene Nation.” View Larger. Their traditional territory is around the Peace River in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.Today, about 1,000 Dane-zaa reside in British Columbia and a hypothesized half of them speak the Dane-zaa language. Share all the big game you kill. The Dene Thá (/'dɛnɛ ðɑː/) First Nation is a First Nations government of the South Slavey in Northern Alberta, Canada. The original wagon trail from the Chinchaga River to High Level is also still visible today. Spirituality permeates every facet of life, from how people conduct themselves on the land, to harvesting medicine, to performing Tea Dance ceremonies. Frequently he uses his cleverness rather than his strength to defeat his enemies, at which point he either kills them or transforms them into something harmless. The Dene people (/ ˈdɛneɪ /) are an indigenous group of First Nations who inhabit the northern boreal and Arctic regions of Canada. 1990. Decommissioned power poles lean haphazardly in a line leading away from the vehicle. Dene Tha chief focuses on independence and self-sufficiency. For example, Sophie Mecredi remembers when her family used a mud fireplace to cook their food, and when there were no lamps used at nighttime. They are neighboured by the Sekani to the west, the Slavey to the north, and the Dene Tha (variously called In the past, people were buried along rivers or trails where people traveled. The Dene Tha’ elders described traveling in a “circular motion,” from Tu Lonh (End of the Water), to Long Lake (Rainbow Lake), to Tamarack Hill, to Tsa Zaghe (Beaver Creek tributary), and back to Tu Lonh on their seasonal searches for game. Carlito Somera is the Principal of the Dene Tha Community School located in Treaty 8, in the community of … They were the last Nation in Alberta to take reservations, the Chief then being the the last Hereditary Chief in Canada. PR1991.0383.0307.0032.0002 Many present day roads and highways were once the Dene Tha’ pack, wagon and horse trails. Even though this lifestyle was not filled with many extras, people described the life on the land, if they had the chance, as one they would gladly return to. The viability of the moose as a staple in the Dene Tha’ diet is crucial to the Dene Tha’ elders. A number of children were named for their behavior or whatever their parents wanted to call them. People went to whatever trading post was closest at the time of harvest, or where they knew the fur buyers were going to be. “This is the second trip we’ve made to the lake with the original intent to educate the children and youth,” Moulton said. There is virtually nothing in print pertaining to the history of this Nation. It has been called Slavey, South Slavey, Alberta Slavey, and Dene, a catch-all term which encompasses several Northern Athabaskan language groups. The Principal of the Dene Tha Community School, Carlito Somera, discusses the school’s commitment to holding fall and winter Cultural Camps for students in grades 4-12. This not only reflects a changing lifestyle among First Nations, but an ever-changing society. Naturally then, each person usually has a Dene name and an English name. The Dane-zaa (ᑕᓀᖚ, also spelled Dunne-za, or Tsattine), historically referred to as the Beaver tribe by Europeans, are an Athabaskan-speaking group of First Nations people. The Dene speak Northern Athabaskan languages. Its first president was Morris Lafferty of Fort Simpson with Mona Jacobs of Fort Smith, NT succeeding him. In today’s market, the Northwest Company purchases the majority of the fur from the people of Chateh. The Dene Tha' are one of the least-known First Nations in North America. Perry Moulton, Director of Education for the Dene Tha’ First Nation (DTFN) included Bistcho Lake in the “Science and Culture on the Land Project,” part of the five-year Dene Tha’ Education Plan. Sahtu Dene Council Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon. According to legend spoken by the Dene Tha People, during the Gods war a wolf spirit lead the Dene Tha people into a light gate to escape the war, they went to a place where time had no meaning and there they stayed for an unknown time, then the wolf spirit came back and lead them through the light gate again where they were greeted by Gaia and she told them to live in this land and flourish. Databank Files List to order BBS Files Listing to order By Country & Place Name Canadian Locations Alberta Locations 2001 INDIAN PLACE NAMES FROM THE WEST, Pt. In the spring months, beaver and muskrat are harvested. Dene Indigenous students paddle Canada’s longest river to reconnect with Dene land and culture. Only the strongest people survived these epidemics. In January and February, lynx, marten and fox are harvested. There is no doubt that if prices were to rise, more Dene Tha’ trappers would return to the traplines. One old method of hunting was to send a scout out to kill a moose ahead of everyone else. Dene Tha` First Nation Artist Josh Kolay Aboriginal artist, Josh Kolay brings his deep historical and cultural relationship with the land and nature to life in his work. The people call themselves Dene Dháa (sometimes spelled Dene Tha' or Dene Th'a) or 'Ordinary People' in the Dene Dháh language. Taking care of the dogs was very important to the survival of the hunter or trapper. Life was hard, but it was also fulfilling. Nowadays, these old names sound funny to recall,” said Louise Hooka Nooza. Long ago, people used dog teams or pack dogs to travel from place to place. Even though current fur prices remain low, Dene Tha’ trappers still maintain their traplines during the winter months. Several seasonal posts were established by Habay and Long Lake, where goods would only be available in the spring and summer. The people call themselves Dene Dháa (sometimes spelled Dene Tha' or Dene Th'a) or 'Ordinary People' in the Dene Dháh language. Share what you have. It is hunted all year round, although hunting is best during mating season. This is the umbrella law; under it sits all the other laws. The Eastern Shoshone adopted horses much sooner than their neighbours to the North, the Blackfoot Confederacy (made up of three related groups, the Piegan, Siksika, and Kainai). It was at this time that trading posts were established throughout the area by the Hudson’s Bay Company. It might also be held to commemorate a meeting with another neighbouring community, or as a burial ceremony for someone who has recently died. These sites were used by Dene Tha’ as either temporary, overnight camping places, or as more permanent settlement areas. Dene elders, like the late George Blondin, explain the history of the Dene through stories and legends reaching as far back to the earliest days of the land, when people and animals were equals. Hunting would last all summer and into the fall. Shop with confidence on eBay! (2017). The Dene of the Deh Cho have always lived according to the Dene Laws, they are an important part of the Dene History and Traditions. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. Today, it is the main route for industry to travel to the Zama oil fields and beyond. There is virtually nothing in print pertaining to the history of this Nation. They were the last Nation in Alberta to take reservations, the Chief then being the the last Hereditary Chief in Canada. First Nations refers to the various Aboriginal cultures in Canada. One difficulty in identifying these Dene place names is that different family groups have their own names for places. Hunting skills were passed on from generation to generation, along with vital information regarding animal behaviour and habitat. They remained one of the most isolated groups until recently. BLB World Series results: 2020: Rochester Red Wings (Scott Ryan) d. Muspelheim Fire Giants (Dean Toso) 2019: Deadpool Avengers (Brian Myers) d. Yellowknife Dene Tha (Phil Lutz) 2018: Yellowknife Dene Tha (Phil Lutz) d. Jotenheim Rock Giants (Brian Toso) 2017: Rochester Red The passing of this type of information in First Nation communities traditionally occurred through the oral tradition of storytelling through generational links; from grandfather to grandson, from mother to daughter. As a result, many graves have been washed away by the changing current of the river, or by natural erosion of the river banks. The overwhelming majority of Dene Tha’ speak Dene as their first language. There is virtually nothing in print pertaining to the history … Find great deals for Dene Tha First Nation - Historical Overview . Moose is probably the most important animal in the lives of the Dene Tha’. The term "Dene" has two usages. Gradually, the Dene Tha’ settled in small, family-based groups, residing in log cabins that were used seasonally, according to hunting patterns. 1 Alphabetic 2001 INDIAN PLACE NAMES FROM THE WEST, Pt. Everyone would follow and arrive to make dry meat, and prepare the hide, before moving on to the next kill. #CBCShortDocs Sometimes, the round trip would take an entire season, with the trapper leaving in the early spring with his furs and not returning until summer with supplies. “Dene,” which is the Athabaskan term simply for “people,” includes the First Nation bands of Chipewyan, Tlicho, Slavey, Sathu and Yellowknives, whom the capital of the Canadian Northwest Territories are named after. 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