Well, once again we are coming to June 21, when we will say Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day. At one time, we said Happy Aboriginal Day and some people said Happy Abo Day or Happy Indian Day.
This year, I thought I would see what I could find online about the beliefs and standards that guided the Dene through their lives and really what should still be guiding us today. The first thing that popped up in many sites was the Dene Laws, so here they are:
Dene Laws
Share what you have.
Help each other.
Love each other as much as possible.
Be respectful of Elders and everything around you.
Sleep at night and work during the day.
Be polite and don’t argue with anyone.
Young girls and boys should behave respectfully.
Pass on the teachings.
Be happy at all times.
I also found “Dene Rules” as identified by Tlichǫ Elders from Whatì, and guess where they were? On the website of Legal Aid Saskatchewan. Say what? Yup, that’s right. Legal Aid Saskatchewan. Eschia, take it easy eh!
But what I really wanted to write about are the jewels called Dene Principles and Values that I found on the Dehcho First Nations website.
As can be expected, many of them are part of other peoples’ cultures around the world. For the Dene however, they explain the purpose of human life and helped to ensure we survived and continue to survive.
Dene principles
We come from the land that was created by “the one who provides for all”. We recognize all living creatures are equal. The Dene respect that natural laws “regulate the cycle of seasons, the rhythms of the earth, the ways of the animals.”
The website talks about how Dene have collective rights and responsibilities to ensure our survival as a people. We do not own the land, but use the land and its resources collectively while carrying out our collective responsibility to protect the land and resources for future generations.
While group survival is more important than a person getting rich or gaining status, individual rights are encouraged within the collective, along with our responsibility to protect the interests of the collective.
It talks about how Dene are to take only what we need from the land and to thank the spirit of the land for what we take. Additionally, we are to share what we took and not waste anything.
We are not only to respect the land but ourselves, and each other. Our Elders pass on the laws of the Dene to teach us how to live balanced lives and how to protect our families and ourselves. We must pass these laws on to our children to live by.
We are to care for each other, and we must “honour and provide” for our elders and for our children who will pass on the Dene ways to future generations. We must also honour and respect both men and woman equally, as our ancestors are both male and female, and both contribute to our survival.
We are to show respect for, and honour, our leaders and medicine people, who work to benefit us and provide guidance and instruction to help us in our efforts to live a well-balanced life.
Dene people have the right to make decisions on things that affect them in their territory. This may be done in family groups, in communities, or in regions. All community members have the opportunity to discuss and participate in making decisions on things that affect us.
Dene values
Dene values are an important part of our daily lives. The values are taught from history and continue on through the generations.
Sharing: the land is there for our usage, and we are to share what comes from the land and allow others to use the land. We are also to share the responsibilities to maintain the camp, look after children, and ensure the family’s well-being, including safety.
Respect: show respect for everyone including yourself, elders, those who lead us, and those with special gifts; the respect should extend to the land and all living things.
Caring: we care for all people in our extended family. The community shall care for orphans, widows and elders. Concern is also given to protecting and keeping everyone safe in the home, including oneself.
Equality: we recognize that all people are equal, and that all living creatures are equal to humans.
Self-Respect and Pride: respect yourself and be proud of doing things well. Be proud of being independent and of being able to contribute towards your family and the collective.
As I said, the Dene principles and values I summarized here can be found on the Dehcho First Nations website along with other interesting information. www.dehcho.org
This is pretty significant, so when you go out to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, think of the foundation that this territory has been built on.