Dehcho Dene Cultural Experience

On this journey, you will learn the history of our Dene peoples. See the places, meet the people and travel to our communities and experience genuine Indigenous culture. Meet community residents, the leaders, knowledge keepers and respected Dene Elders, learn about our special connections and relationships with the land. Learn our Dene Laws.

You will learn about the devastating impact of the residential school system and other policies of colonialism and assimilation on our people and our culture. The Indigenous community (Fort Providence) you will overnight is home to the first residential school in this area, opened in 1860, over a 160 years ago. We will visit the Memorial dedicated to the survivors and to those that never made it back home. This visit will be a very tough moment emotionally.

Travel on the mighty Mackenzie River or as we call it in our Dene language, the “dehcho” and visit a traditional culture camp and experience life on the land, enjoy traditional foods and traditional activities like the powerful traditional Dene Hand Games! Back to town after a traditional dinner, we may get lucky and experience our powerful Dene Drum Dance.

Next day we hit the road to visit the tiny Indigenous community of Kakisa (pop. 37) situated on the shores of Kakisa Lake. After a delicious lunch of local harvested fish you will visit and meet with local residents and learn about life in a traditional Indigenous village. After this amazing lunch and visit experience, we will visit Lady Evelyn Falls and then back to Fort Providence.

Next day we are back on the road back to Yellowknife, however we have a special treat for you today as we stop at the community of Behchoko, the largest Indigenous community in the Northwest Territories. We will visit with a traditional family, a family that has been gifted with making special traditional arts and crafts. They will explain how they make it and the meaning behind what they are doing.