Northern Tutchone facts for kids
| Dän k'í | |
|---|---|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Canada (Yukon) | |
| Languages | |
| Tutchone | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Southern Tutchone |
| Dän "person" |
|
|---|---|
| People | Dän K'í |
| Language | Dän Kʼí |
| Country | Dän Kezhi, Denendeh |
The Northern Tutchone, also known as Dän k'í, are an Indigenous group of people. They are a First Nation who traditionally lived in the central Yukon region of Western Canada. They speak a language from the Athabaskan language family.
Contents
Discovering the Northern Tutchone People
Understanding Their Language
The Northern Tutchone language is a special form of the Tutchone language. It belongs to the larger Athabaskan language family. This language was originally spoken by the Northern Tutchone people.
In the 1890s, an Anglican priest named Thomas Canham wrote down many words and grammar rules of the language. He published a book called the Wood Indian Dictionary in 1898. Later, in the late 20th century, John Ritter from the Yukon Native Language Centre created a system for writing the language down. This system is called an orthography.
Today, many Northern Tutchone communities teach their language in schools. For example, the town of Carmacks has a special preschool program for young children to learn Northern Tutchone.
Where the Northern Tutchone Lived
The traditional lands of the Northern Tutchone people are in the central Yukon. Their communities include places like Beaver Creek, Carmacks, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, and Stewart Crossing.
Historically, the Northern Tutchone people hunted and fished across a wide area. This land stretched from the McQuesten and Stewart Rivers all the way to the Big Salmon River. The Selwyn Mountains formed the eastern edge of their traditional hunting and fishing grounds.
How Northern Tutchone Society Works
Northern Tutchone communities have a strong sense of togetherness. Their society is organized into two main family groups, called moieties. These are the Wolf and Crow groups. In these groups, family lines are traced through the mother's side, which is known as being matrilineal.
Northern Tutchone First Nations Governments
Several Northern Tutchone First Nations have their own governments. These governments work to support their communities and preserve their culture. Here are some of them:
- First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, located in Mayo, Yukon. Their name, Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, means "Big River People." They called the Stewart River Na Cho Nyak, meaning Big River. This is the most northern Northern Tutchone First Nation.
- Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, located in Carmacks, Yukon. Their name, Tagé Cho Hudän, also means "Big River People."
- Selkirk First Nation, located in Pelly Crossing, Yukon. Their name, Hućha Hudän, means "Flatland People." This name comes from the flat landscape around Fort Selkirk, where the river valley is wide and flat.
- White River First Nation, located in Beaver Creek, Yukon.
Famous Northern Tutchone Individuals
Many Northern Tutchone people have made important contributions to their communities and beyond.
- Jerry Alfred is a talented song-keeper. He helps keep the language and traditions alive through his music.
- Roddy Blackjack (born around 1927, passed away in 2013) was a respected chief of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation.
- Eric Fairclough served as a cabinet minister and was the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. He was also a chief of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation.
- Jeremy Harper is a band councillor for the Selkirk First Nation. He is also a member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
- Danny Joe was a chief of the Selkirk First Nation and a member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
- Louise Profeit-LeBlanc (from Na-Cho Nyäk Dun) is a gifted storyteller, artist, author, and choreographer.
