Understanding the Dene Indigenous Peoples of Canada and Alaska

Dene (also spelled Dené or Dene-Cree) is a group of indigenous peoples who live in the boreal forest and tundra regions of Canada and Alaska. They are also known as the Athabaskan or Athapaskan peoples, and their languages are part of the Athabaskan language family.

The Dene are made up of several distinct tribes, including the Chipewyan, Dogrib, Gwich'in, Hare, Inuvik, Koyukon, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tłįchǫ (formerly known as the Dogrib). These tribes have traditionally lived in the western Canadian Arctic and subarctic regions, as well as in Alaska.

The Dene have a rich cultural heritage and a long history of living in the northern territories. They have developed unique traditional practices and technologies that are adapted to the harsh climate of the north, such as hunting and fishing, trapping, and building snow houses and canoes. They also have a strong spiritual tradition and place great importance on respect for the land, animals, and their elders.

Today, many Dene communities are working to preserve their languages and cultural traditions, while also addressing the challenges of modern life in the north. Many Dene people live in urban areas, such as Yellowknife and Inuvik, but still maintain strong ties to their traditional lands and ways of life.