Dánı̨́ Dene Nenę́ Hǝjı̨ / How Our Land Sings

This interactive digital book shares and examines the singing, dancing, and drumming traditions of Délı̨nę, a Dene community in the Sahtú region of the Northwest Territories. Central to the book are 137 audio recordings featuring approximately 150 different songs, in which Elders describe in their own language, and in their traditional storytelling style, how songs, dances, and games have been part of a lifestyle rooted to the land. Each chapter focuses on a song and/or dance genre while at the same time illustrating specific moments in the lives of community members, whether collective or individual. Based on meticulous fieldwork conducted in partnership with the community, this project aims to reflect on and share the talking and singing voices of Délı̨nę’s Elders, and much of the knowledge and wisdom they wished to transmit to future generations.

Foreword by Walter J. Bezha, Délı̨nę Ɂǫhda Kaowe Ke, Délı̨nę Elders Representative