Thla na da
The language of the Dene people has roots that trace back
thousands of years. The Dene people share their origins with the
Apachean and Navajo Peoples of southwestern America. These
groups, which once lived as one, separated over time. The Navajo
and Apachean peoples settled in what is now known as New Mexico,
while the Dene settled in the Northwest Territories as well as
the northern part of today’s Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Dene
live in small pockets which are spread across a large
geographical range. As a result, there are many variations of
the Dene language, which is part of the Athapaskan language
family.
Traditionally, the Dene people lived in structured units
called bands. Leadership within the bands was mostly egalitarian
but flexible, so that community members could apply their unique
skills for the betterment of the band. For example, a strong
hunter could lead the band during hunting trips, though someone
else would assume the leadership role at other times. Movement
of people between bands was flexible and usually occurred as a
result of marriage.
Though smaller in number than some of Alberta’s other
Aboriginal communities, the Dene people are vibrant in spirit.
Fishing in summer, and year-round hunting and trapping are
common within the Dene communities, and the use of dog teams for
these activities is an important aspect of Dene culture.
Today, the Dene of northern Canada and the Apache and Navajo
people of New Mexico and Arizona can still communicate with each
other despite the thousands of kilometres and different
lifestyles that separate their communities; a testament to their
shared ancestry. The Elders from both groups recount stories of
the separation, linking the generations of today to a rich and
beautiful past. |