The Athabaskan (Dene) Peoples

The Athabaskan (ath-uh-BAS-kan) peoples are a large and diverse group of Indigenous peoples who speak related languages belonging to the Athabaskan language family. In Canada, many Athabaskan-speaking groups in the western subarctic refer to themselves as Dene (DEN-eh), which means "the people" in their languages.

Their traditional territories, known as Denendeh ("The Land of the People"), form a vast expanse across the subarctic regions of northwestern Canada, including parts of present-day Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Athabaskan peoples also live in Alaska and the southwestern United States (where the Apache and Navajo are Southern Athabaskan peoples).

  • Dene societies are traditionally organized around the seasonal cycles of the land. Their culture is deeply rooted in a spiritual and practical connection to the environment, which provided everything they needed for survival and prosperity.

    Key cultural characteristics include:

    • Semi-Nomadic Lifestyle: Historically, Dene groups lived a semi-nomadic life, moving in small family or regional groups to follow game, fish, and seasonal harvests. Caribou, moose, and fish were central to their diet, economy, and spirituality.

    • Emphasis on Kinship: Strong kinship ties and family networks form the core of Dene society. Cooperation, sharing, and mutual support are highly valued principles.

    • Oral Traditions: Knowledge, history, laws, and spiritual beliefs are passed down through generations through powerful oral traditions, including stories, songs, and drumming. Elders are revered as the keepers of this essential knowledge.

    • Governance: Traditional governance was often consensus-based, with respected leaders and Elders guiding their communities. Modern governance structures, like the Band Councils mentioned in your file, now work alongside these traditional systems.

  • The northern border of Manitoba is part of the traditional territory of several Dene groups. The Nations listed below are part of the Sayisi Dene and Chipewyan Dene peoples.

    • Barren Lands Band (MB): This First Nation is located at Brochet, Manitoba, on the northern end of Reindeer Lake. They are primarily Chipewyan Dene. Their history is one of incredible resilience, as they have maintained their culture and connection to the land despite facing significant challenges.

    • Northlands Band (MB): Located at Lac Brochet, this community is also a Chipewyan Dene First Nation. They share close cultural and kinship ties with the Barren Lands Band and other Dene communities in the region, which spans the borders of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut.

  • The Yukon is the traditional home to numerous Athabaskan-speaking First Nations.

    • Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation (YT): This is a self-governing First Nation whose members are part of the Northern Tutchone linguistic and cultural group. Their traditional territory is centered around the Yukon River in the central Yukon. As a modern, self-governing nation, they have taken control of their own lands, resources, and governance, moving beyond the Indian Act to build a future based on their own laws and traditions.

    • Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in (tron-dek hwech-in) (YT): Located in Dawson City and the surrounding region, the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in are a self-governing First Nation whose members speak the Hän language, which is also part of the Athabaskan family. Their name means "People of the River" (referring to the Yukon River). Their history is deeply intertwined with the Klondike Gold Rush, an event that brought immense upheaval to their traditional way of life. Today, the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in are leaders in cultural revitalization, land stewardship, and economic development, ensuring their heritage and language thrive for future generations.