Slavey facts for kids
Slavey girls, Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,630 (2016 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Canada (Northwest Territories, Alberta) | |
| Languages | |
| English, North and South Slavey language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sahtu (North Slavey) |
The Slavey people are a group of First Nations people. They are part of the larger Dene family. They have lived for a long time in the area around Great Slave Lake. This area is in Canada's Northwest Territories. Their traditional lands also reach into northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Where the Name "Slavey" Came From
The name Slavey comes from the Cree language. The Cree were another Indigenous group. Sometimes, the Cree would raid and capture people from their northern neighbors. They would then make them work as slaves. The names of places like the Slave River and Great Slave Lake also come from this Cree word. Even in French, these places use the word Esclaves. This is because French traders worked with the Cree first. It's important to know that the people now called Slavey were not necessarily taken as slaves during that time.
What the People Call Themselves
The Slavey people usually do not use the name "Slavey" for themselves. They call themselves Dene. This means "the people" in their language. The South Slavey people also use names like Dehcho or Deh Cho Dene. This means "Mackenzie River People." Another name they use is Dene Tha.
Many Athabaskan groups call themselves Dene. But in the Northwest Territories, people often use it for their specific group. For example, the northern Slavey are also known as the Sahtu. The southern Slavey are known as the Deh Cho.
Different Groups of Slavey People
The South Slavey people live in several areas. These include northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and the southern Northwest Territories. Here are some of the First Nations groups that are part of the South Slavey:
- The Fort Nelson First Nation in British Columbia. They call themselves Dene. Their language is called Dene k'e.
- The Dene Tha' First Nation in Alberta. They call themselves Dene Tha' or Dene Dháa. This means "ordinary people." Their language is Dene Dháh.
- The Dehcho First Nations in the Northwest Territories. They are also called Deh Cho Dene. This means "Mackenzie River Dene." Some of their communities include:
* Acho Dene Koe First Nation at Fort Liard * Deh Gah Gotie Dene Council at Fort Providence * Jean Marie River First Nation at Jean Marie River * Katl'odeeche First Nation at Hay River, Northwest Territories * Ka'agee Tu First Nation at Kakisa * Liidli Kue First Nation at Fort Simpson * Nahanni Butte Dene Band at Nahanni Butte * Pehdzeh Ki First Nation at Wrigley, Northwest Territories * Sambaa Kʼe (Trout Lake) Dene at Trout Lake * West Point First Nation at West Point
The Sahtu, or Sahtu Dene, live only in the Northwest Territories. They are also called "Great Bear Lake People." They speak the North Slavey language.
Slavey in TV Shows
The CBC drama North of 60 is a TV show. It is set in a made-up town called Lynx River. Most of the people in this town are Slavey. The show doesn't often use the word "Slavey." Instead, the characters usually say they are Dene. The town is located in Slavey territory. In one episode, a character even makes a toast in the Slavey language.
See Also
In Spanish: Slave para niños
