The Dene Collective

04/14/2026

I try not to share personal matters on this page, but my little nephew Connor can use all the support he can get as he begins his fight with a rare form of Cancer.

If you are able to donate, share, or say a little prayer for him, that would be very much appreciated!

Mahsi-cho,

Ryan

https://gofund.me/2e9e65b4e

04/05/2026

Happy Easter ! Hope this finds you in good spirits wherever you are.

This traditional prayer song comes from the Sahtúot’ı̨nę of Délı̨nę. Far up north along Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories.

Best wishes on this Sunday.

Mahsi 🙏🏽

03/18/2026

Yellowknives Dene Drummers in Hay River - August 2024

It’s been a long winter in the north. Looking forward to summer gatherings!

🙌🏾

03/05/2026

A series of photos from the Ediwa Weyallon Traditional Handgames Tournament in Behchokǫ̀, NWT.

It was extremely cold over the three day event, but that didn’t deter a record setting 70 teams from registering and competing for $150,000 in prize money.

Teams from across the NWT, Yukon, Alberta, and BC were represented.

I am always amazed at the Tlicho communities ability to host such a large cultural gathering year after year.

The investment does not go unnoticed.

Mahsi cho! 🙌🏾

03/04/2026

A young Tlicho drummer at the Ediwa Weyallon Men’s Traditional Handgames tournament.

It is always so uplifting to see the next generation drumming and excelling at such a young age in the north.

03/01/2026

02/28/2026

02/24/2026

It will be a fun weekend in Tlicho territory!

EDIWA WEYALLON HANDGAMES TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION (FEB. 27 - MAR. 1)

Warm Up The Drums, It’s Back!
The largest handgames tournament in the Northwest Territories returns this year, and it’s going to be a full house. Whether you’re playing or cheering, come be part of the energy.

DOWNLOAD PDF SCHEDULE: https://bit.ly/4t1jI09

Tournament Registrations:
Teams are encouraged to register early, as space is limited and spots will fill up fast.

Find registration details and contact information here - https://bit.ly/4aRCVe4

Download Fillable PDF Registration: https://bit.ly/468Nwhq

For more information please contact:
Behchokǫ̀ Presence Office
Phone: 867-392-6385
Email: [email protected]

Source: https://bit.ly/4t8lVa4

01/30/2026

It will be a great weekend in Behchoko! See you there.

EDIWA WEYALLON HANDGAMES TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION (FEB. 27 - MAR. 1)

Warm Up The Drums, It’s Back!
The largest handgames tournament in the Northwest Territories returns this year, and it’s going to be a full house. Whether you’re playing or cheering, come be part of the energy.

DOWNLOAD PDF SCHEDULE: https://bit.ly/4t1jI09

Tournament Registrations:
Teams are encouraged to register early, as space is limited and spots will fill up fast.

Find registration details and contact information here - https://bit.ly/4aRCVe4

Download Fillable PDF Registration: https://bit.ly/468Nwhq

For more information please contact:
Behchokǫ̀ Presence Office
Phone: 867-392-6385
Email: [email protected]

Source: https://bit.ly/4t8lVa4

01/05/2026

Thinking of our community as we mourn the loss of beloved elder Mary Dettieh.

My earliest memories of Mary are from time spent with my grandparents as a kid. I look back and smile when thinking about her and my Et’su speaking in slavey in her living room and the laughs they would share together.

I also recall a time when we visited Mary and her husband when out on the trapline with my dad and older brother in the 90’s. We took the skidoo’s down to their camp a short ride from our cabin along the highway. I can still picture her in her element. It was cold outside, and they only had a wall tent between them and the dark winter night, but they were comfortable and at peace. Content and living life on the land. To my recollection, this was the moment I tried Tea for the first time.

When I think about this, it is hard not to feel like we have not only lost an amazing person, but also a big part of our story as Dene people living here. Our elders of her generation have passed on at a tremendous rate over the past few years.

So much has changed in their lifetime, and they possess a certain class of traditional knowledge that must be lived to fully understand.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

*photo taken for the FNFN outside of her moose camp in May 2021.

12/17/2025

Thinking of our friends in Ross River, Yukon.

Famous Amos. Powerful Kaska Dena Elder.

Always grateful for the hand shake and warm smile.

You will be missed along this hand game trail.

🙏🏽

12/10/2025

Ediwa Weyallon Traditional Men’s Handgame Tournament.

February 2024 - Behchoko, NT

Jus missing it.