Thanadelthur facts for kids

Thanadelthur (born around 1697 – died February 5, 1717) was an amazing woman from the Chipewyan Dënesųłı̨ne nation. She played a very important role as a guide and interpreter for the Hudson's Bay Company. She was especially key in helping to create a peace agreement between her people, the Dënesųłı̨ne, and the Cree people. Thanadelthur was quite talented, as she could speak three languages: English, Chipewyan, and Cree.

Her Early Life and Escape

Thanadelthur was likely born in 1697. In early 1713, a group of Dënesųłı̨ne people were attacked by the Cree, and some women, including Thanadelthur, were captured. After spending the winter with her Cree captors, Thanadelthur and another woman managed to escape. They tried to find their way back to their own people.

It was a very difficult journey. They faced cold weather and hunger. Sadly, Thanadelthur's friend died after a year of hardship. Five days later, Thanadelthur was found by goose hunters who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. We know her story mostly from the journals of the Hudson's Bay Company members, as she didn't write her own story down.

Working for Peace

Thanadelthur arrived safely at York Factory, Manitoba on November 24, 1714. At that time, James Knight, a leader of the Hudson's Bay Company, was looking for someone to help him. He wanted to convince the Cree to let other northern Indigenous groups come to the trading posts by the bay. This would allow them to trade furs with his company.

The Cree had firearms from Europeans and didn't want others coming into their lands. This made it hard for the company to trade, as the Cree were their main fur suppliers. In 1715, James Knight asked Thanadelthur for her help. He wanted her to create a peace agreement between the Dënesųłı̨ne (Chipewyan) and the Cree.

On June 27 of that year, Thanadelthur began her important mission. She traveled with about 150 Cree people and one Englishman named William Stuart. Their goal was to make peace between the two nations. James Knight gave Thanadelthur many gifts to give to her people once the peace talks were done. Knight even called her "Slave Woman Joan," comparing her bravery to Joan of Arc. The "slave woman" part came from her past, and "Joan" was added because of her brave efforts in translating during the peace talks.

Challenges and Her Legacy

Knight had planned for Thanadelthur and the Dënesųłı̨ne to return home in 1716. However, a harsh winter and worries about Cree groups who were not part of the peace agreement kept them from leaving. So, Knight allowed the Dënesųłı̨ne to stay at the company's factory for the winter.

A trading post had been promised in the Dënesųłı̨ne lands, but it hadn't been built yet. Thanadelthur's next mission was to go back to her home and assure her people that the post would eventually be built. Sadly, she died of a fever on February 5, 1717, before she could complete this mission.

James Knight gave Thanadelthur a special burial. He wrote that even though the weather was nice, it was a "most Meloncholys't" day because of her loss. He also said it was hard to find another Indigenous translator and that he spent a lot of money to replace her.

Her Lasting Impact

Thanadelthur's story has been passed down through the oral traditions of the Dene people. It is also found in the records of the Hudson's Bay Company. It was rare for an Indigenous person to be included in these historical records, especially since she was often called "the 'Slave Woman'" in documents.

However, her true name has survived through the records kept by Indigenous tribes. In the Denesųłı̨ne language, her story is like a legend. People say she was their grandmother who brought the Cree and Dënesųłı̨ne together in peace.

The name "Tha-narelther" was first written down in 1883 by a Catholic missionary named Father Emile Petitot. He heard the story from a man named Alexis Enna-aze. Later, in 1920, Edward S. Curtis published his own version of the story. He called her Thanadelthur, which means "marten shake," and this is the name she is known by today.

The peace agreement that Thanadelthur helped create was very important. It allowed the Hudson's Bay Company to expand further north. It also led to more connections between the arriving Europeans and the Indigenous tribes.

In 2000, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada recognized Thanadelthur as a national historic person of Canada. This means she is officially recognized as someone very important in Canadian history.

In Popular Culture

Thanadelthur is a main character in the novel Running West by James Archibald Houston. The book tells her story from when she was captured by the Cree, through her journey from York Factory to the Dene lands, and her return.

Canadian musician Mike Ford also recorded a song called "Thanadelthur" on his album Canada Needs You.