Dene Nation


‘We’re still here’: Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation remembers 100 years since Treaty 11

Powerful drum dances, a chance to gather and the opportunity to discuss the path forward shaped the week of events.


Johnny Landry grows emotional talking about all the hardship his people have faced since Treaty 11 was signed 100 years ago.  “It’s good to know what really happened to us and how we got here today,” he says.  Landry, a popular NWT musician, traveled from Fort Providence to Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́First…


‘He is probably one of the most influential Canadians’ Thomas Berger passes away at 88

Thomas Berger published the famous Berger Inquiry, which recognized the rights of Indigenous people.


Thomas Berger, whose inquiry brought Indigenous rights and recognition to the forefront of Canadian politics, passed away on Wednesday. Berger released the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry in 1977, commonly known as the Berger inquiry. Berger said a pipeline across the North would have a devastating effect on the Indigenous people…


Yakeleya calls for water summit after news of leaking oil sand waste

The Dene national chief is calling for a water summit after learning that toxic oil sands waste in Alberta is leaking near the Athabasca River. This comes after the Narwhal published an article confirming the oil sands stored in tailings ponds near Alberta’s Athabasca River, are leaking.  “In 2017, Environmental…




Dene author says storytelling is catalyst for healing in debut novel

Land-Water-Sky/Ndè-Tı-Yat’a is an ode to everything the creator made, says Catherine Lafferty


In her debut novel, the Yellowknife author shares an intimate work of fiction on the idea that through storytelling, readers can heal past traumas. In Ndè-Tı-Yat’a, Lafferty confronts the themes of identity, stereotypes, language and abuse. Rooted in her own truth and lived experiences, Lafferty says, these are important conversations…