Dehcho Dene Cultural Experience

Season: June 21 to August 29

Learn and experience our Dene culture!

See the places, meet the people and travel to our communities and experience genuine Indigenous culture. Learn the history of our Dene peoples. Meet the leaders and respected Dene Elders, learn about our special connections and relationships with the land. Learn our Dene Laws.

You will learn about the devastating impacts of the residential school system and other policies of colonialism and assimilation on our people and our culture. The Indigenous community we visit and overnight in is home to the first residential school in this area, opened in 1860, over a 160 years ago and we will visit the Memorial, it will be a very tough moment emotionally. You will hear the stories from the descendents of survivors and family members of those that did not come home. 

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. We will visit community members of this tiny Indigenous community, enjoy a delicious fish fry cookout lunch. Afterwards, we will visit beautiful and relaxing Lady Evelyn Falls and then back to Fort Providence.

Next day we are back on the road back on the mighty Mackenzie River boating further down river to the Horn River, to visit another culture camp and possible go even further on Mills Lake to a traditional camping spot about 80kms down river for an overnight stay on the land!

Next day we head back to Fort Providence, pack up and head back to Yellowknife, and on the way, we stop in another traditional Indigenous community and 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.

Package Dates: 2024

DCE24-01: June 19 – June 25
DCE24-02: June 26 – July 02
DCE24-03: July 03 – July 09
DCE24-04: July 10 – July 16
DCE24-05: July 17 – July 23
DCE24-06: July 24 – July 30
DCE24-07: July 31 – August 06
DCE24-08: August 07 – August 13
DCE24-09: August 14 – August 20
DCE24-10: August 21 – August 27

Price: $7995*+GST/person 

*based on double occupancy per room