We Remember the Coming of the White Man
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By Elizabeth Yakeleya, Sarah Simon and other Sahtú and Gwich'in Elders
Edited by Sarah Stewart; Foreword, Raymond Yakeleya; Afterword, Colette Poitras
Gwich’in Dene title: GAHNAAANDAIH Unjoo kat degehnoo daiʔ anahgoogwaandak
Book Release Date, APRIL 21, 2020. Download Info Sheet
Related media: News of the North | Rocky Mountain Outlook | BC Booklook | Globe and Mail | CBC | Cabin Radio
Dene Elders tell the history of their times
A work in progress since the 1970s, We Remember the Coming of the White Man chronicles the history of the Dene People in the extraordinary time of the early 20th century. Chapters are transcripts of oral histories of ten Elders and revolve around their recollections of the early days of fur trading and guns; missionaries and the flu epidemic; dismay about the way oil and uranium discoveries were handled on their land; and the emotional and economic fallout of the signing of Treaty 11. The book is rich with photographs, and Elders’ stories are in English and Dene Gwich’in. Bundled with the book is a redux DVD version of Raymond Yakeleya’s stunning 1976 film We Remember, complete with director’s commentary.
Dene Elders in the book (now all deceased) are Joe Blondin, John Blondin, Elizabeth Yakeleya, Mary Wilson, Isadore Yukon, Peter Thompson, Jim Sittichinli, Sarah Simon, Johnny Kay, and Andrew Kunnizzi. Dene Gwich’in Dene translation is by Bella Ross. View samples >>
Durvile & UpRoute Books has partnered with the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) to create a digital version of this book that is accessible for people with print disabilities
Keywords: Indigenous, Dene Nation, Elders, Treaty 11, Hudson Bay Company, Missionaries, North West Territory