Chipewyan (Dene suline, Dene)

Chipewyan (chi-pah-way-en)
is a Cree word describing their pointed hats or clothing. Dene (den-ay) or Dene suline are also used as names refering to Denendeh meaning
"Spirit that flows through this land from the Creator". They also refer to
themselves as Ethen-eldeli, or caribou-eaters. Location: Northern Saskatchewan from Lake
Athabasca (west) to Wallaston Lake (east)Regions/Bands: Athabasca Region: Fond-du-Lac,
Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, Stony Rapids First Nations; Churchill River Basin: Buffalo
River, English River, Birch Narrows, and Clearwater River First Nations.
Geography: Tundra-forest, sub-arctic, rocky
landscape with sparse vegetation and small variety of animal life. Language: Canadian Athabascan
group, related to the Navajo language family Economy: The Chipewyan, or Denesuline, practice traditional survival techniques
and traditions. These include hunting available game, tea dances, feasts,
and so forth. The Denesuline are also well known for their artistic crafts
made from animal hides and birch bark, as well as their talent for music and
other arts. Dene Laws: he importance of sharing is
emphasized in this culture. According the Dene Cultural Institute, sharing
constitutes practices that include helping with workload to looking after one
another. Love, peace, and community are all central themes to a Dene's way
of life. History: Written history of the Chipewyan can be traced back to the establishment of
trade with European fur settlers as far back as 1716, after establishing some
peace with the Cree, who fought the Chipewyan for fur
hunting territory. The Chipewyan historically occupied the Manitoba Hudson
Bay Area to the Slave River, but have spread throughout Canada for various
reasons.
Prehistory: The Dene are estimated to have inhabited the Northwest territories
since the Ice Age, because of oral histories referring to a time of only winter.

Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not
claim expertise on the Dene.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the
web address of this page.
If you are Dene, your feedback is much appreciated.
Dene Nation http://www.denenation.com
Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation http://www.chipewyan.com/
Cold Lake First Nations http://www.clfns.com
Dene Cultural Institute http://www.deneculture.org/
Aikatcho Treaty 8 Tribal Corporation http://www.akaitcho.info/
Athabasca Tribal Council http://atc97.org/
First Nations Bands of Saskatchewan http://www.sicc.sk.ca/bands/index.html
References:
Hay, Elaine
Denesuline (Dene). Electronic Document http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/denesuline_dene.html, accessed June 29, 2009.
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Center
Dene: History and Background. Electronic Document http://www.sicc.sk.ca/heritage/sils/ourlanguages/dene/dene.html, accessed
June 29, 2009.
Written by Sitha Im, 2009
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