The Dene Language of the Dehcho Region, in the Northwest Territories of Canada

WITH THIS INTERACTIVE WEBSITE, LEARN BASIC SOUNDS AND WORDS OF DENE ZHATIE (SOUTH SLAVEY), THE DENE LANGUAGE OF THE DEHCHO REGION, IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OF CANADA.

The Dene K’ee Gudeh project was started in 2009, with the goal of creating a resource that supports Dehcho Dene language and cultural instruction to young children, using the engaging audio-visual features of computer-based activities to connect with its target audience. Much effort is being placed in the teaching of the Northwest Territories’ aboriginal languages, and this project was initiated to assist in those efforts.

This project also aims to support the preservation and continuation of Dehcho Dene language and culture by filming and recording demonstrations of traditional and cultural activities performed by Dehcho community members with youth participants.

Dene K’ee Gudeh was initially developed and released in 2011 as the Dene K’ee Gudeh Interactive DVD-ROM, a Dene Zhatie ( South Slavey) language and cultural resource for children, and distributed to all the Dehcho Region communities’ families, schools and cultural or educational organizations.

In 2012 Dene K’ee Gudeh was released online as a website, Gudeh.com and in 2013, as a free iPad App called Gudeh, available for download on the Apple iTunes App store.

The Dene K’ee Gudeh Website and App continues to grow with input and feedback from community members, parents, cultural advisors and educators as we gather and present more activities and examples of Dene Zhatie in use within its cultural context, to assist youth in the learning of their language.to assist youth in the learning of their language. This project is sponsored by: Deh Cho Friendship Centre Email: [email protected] Tel: 867-695-2577 PO Box 470, Fort Simpson, NT, X0E 0N0

Created and Developed by: Anyes Fabre-Dimsdale [email protected]

Language and Cultural Consultants: Andy Norwegian Violet Jumbo

A very big Thank You to the students and staff of: Bompas Elementary School, Fort Simpson, NT Charles Tetcho School, Trout Lake, NT Chief Julien Yendo School, Wrigley, NT Chief Sunrise School, Hay River Reserve, NT Deh Gah School, Fort Providence, NT Kakisa Lake School, Kakisa, NT Louie Norwegian School, Jean Marie River, NT who participated in the making of this resource!

Andy Violet For their assistance and contributions to the development of this project, we are very grateful to: Mary-Jane Cazon, Bernice Gargan, Elizabeth Hardisty, Gladys Norwegian, Lucy Simon, Doris Pellissey-Bruneau, Berna Landry, Theresa Bonnetrouge, Melaw Nakehk’o, Tracy Brown, Stephen Jose, Gerry Antoine, Jane Grossetete, Chris Chicot, Bernice Hardisty, Lynn MacFadyen, Nancy Noseworthy, Daniel Allaire, Lia Keats, Candy Brown, Bompas Elementary School Staff, Western Arctic Moving Pictures, and the Open Doors Society Mahsi Cho!

For their generous musical contributions, our gratitude to: Wesley Hardisty www.wesleyhardisty.com For the use of his song Glitter, from his album 12:12 Closing credits, “Stories from the Beginnings on Earth”

Hay River Musicians: Linda Duford Mark Lyons Pat Coleman Anja Van Zill Bert Duford For the musical soundtrack for Rabbit Soup, and Ice Fishing

Mary-Jane Cazon, for the song she wrote and performed on Pemmican Trent Cli, for the Guitar on Preparing Grouse Lauren Lafferty-Corneille, for the intro fiddle music on Rabbit Soup Michael Nayelly, for the drumming on Zhamba Dezha Sings to the Ducks

Mary-Jane Linda Trent Lauren For their artistic contributions, thank you to: Lia Fabre-Dimsdale Hannah and Rebekah Isaiah For the molding clay illustrations, FOOD menu page Lia Fabre-Dimsdale For the paper cut-outs, FAMILY section The Dehcho Divisional Education Council

This project was developed with the support of: The Official Languages Division And the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Government of the Northwest Territories The Department of Health and Social Services Government of the Northwest Territories The Dehcho Divisional Education Council

The Deh Cho Friendship Centre originated in the 1970’s as the Deh Cho Society from community members who needed a place to hold activities and events. It received its Certificate of Incorporation as a Friendship Centre for the people of Fort Simpson in January 1979.

The Deh Cho Friendship Centre is a non-profit organization that depends on the contributions, grants and donations from other organizations to maintain the level of services we currently provide.

This project involved the participation of many members of the Dehcho communities. We are very grateful for all of their input and support. Mahsi Cho!!

DEH CHO FRIENDSHIP CENTER MISSION STATEMENT: “To support people of the Deh Cho Region to retain and develop their identity and culture by supporting personal development and community programs through the integration of aboriginal culture, tradition and values. We do this through education, social, cultural and spiritual programs in a cooperative manner with residents and community organizations.”