🪶

Dene

Also known as: Athabascan, Chipewyan

First Nations

The Dene are the Indigenous peoples of the boreal and Arctic regions of northwestern Canada. "Dene" means "the people" in their language. They have lived in the subarctic for thousands of years, developing sophisticated knowledge of the land, animals and seasons. The Dene Nation represents approximately 11 First Nations communities in the Northwest Territories.

Quick Facts

Group First Nations

Language Athabaskan

Population Over 30,000

Regions NT, SK, MB, AB, BC, YT

💡 Dene dog teams and their expertise in sled travel were essential to early Arctic exploration — many expeditions, including those looking for the Northwest Passage, depended on Dene knowledge and guides.

🗺️ Traditional Territory

Dene traditional territory spans the boreal forests and tundra from the Yukon and Northwest Territories across northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

A note on this page: This is a brief introduction. The Dene have a rich and complex history, culture and living presence that cannot be captured here. We encourage you to seek out Dene voices, visit cultural centres, and engage with community members directly.