Dene National Assemblies

Dene National Assemblies 

2022 Dene National Assembly

July 11, 2022

To: All Denendeh Leadership

From: Alice Liske, Office Manager

Re: UPDATE-Dene National Special Assembly, July 18-20, 2022, Wiliideh Site, Denendeh

The Dene National Special Assembly is scheduled for July 18-20, 2022 at the Wiliideh Site (Yellowknife River) in the Akaitcho Territory. The date was moved up by one day to accommodate travel for other events as directed by the Leadership and Elders.

The Dene National Special Assembly agenda will include the Unmarked Graves for which we have secured funding to cover expenses for one leadership from each community to attend this special assembly. All other delegates/participants expenses will not be covered. For those who wish to attend please be aware that consistent with the Dene Nation constitution you are responsible for your own travel, accommodation and meals, and any expenses arising from this meeting.

For more information, please contact Alice Liske aliske@denenation.com at the Dene National office or call 867-873-4081. Please submit a name of your leadership who will be attending to Twyla Sangris at tsangris@denenation.com to book their hotel and travel arrangements as soon as possible to avoid disappointments.

Thank you for your attention and we look forward to seeing you in attendance at the Dene Nation Special Assembly at Wiiliideh Site this summer.

Mahsi,

Alice Liske

Office Manager

Yellowknife Office:

Dene Nation/AFN Regional Office

5120-49th St.

PO Box 2338

Yellowknife, NT X1A-2P7

Ph: (867) 873-4081  Fax: (867) 920-2254

Toll Free: 866-511-4081

Email: aliske@denenation.com

Dene National Assemblies are held annually in different communities in Denendeh.

The Dene National Assemblies traditionally convene each summer in July and is hosted in different communities within the five regions of Denendeh, namely Gwich’in, Sahtu, Deh Cho, Tli Cho (Monfwi) and Akaitcho. Many people from the 30 Dene communities travel to these meetings via air, road (if it’s all-season), and/or boat.

The Dene Nation holds these annual and special meetings with equal opportunity for communities to host the assembly where Dene leaders have discussions, consultations and make resolutions. It’s where the leaders come to make their voices heard and commemorate the struggle for retaining sovereignty and advancing Dene concerns.

The venues of the handgames and drum dancing celebrations are equally impressive.

At the closing of the 40th Dene National Assembly held at Fort Good Hope, Denendeh from July 12-16, 2010, Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus said, “This was a time to celebrate the many achievements of the Dene and to honour the past and present leaders who worked diligently to preserve and protect the Dene culture, lands and environment for future generations. It was a time to reflect and evaluate where we are today and to strengthen our vision for the future.” Chief Erasmus thanked all the leaders, official delegates, elders, youth and visitors for attending the meeting. He said, “Wishing everyone a great summer with your families and we look forward to working together over the years to come.”

 At the Assemblies

The Dene National Assemblies are open to the public. The formal sessions of the Dene National Assemblies are held during the day with the draft agenda and rules and procedures being adopted by a procedural motion from the floor.

Official delegates must be Chiefs or proxy representatives authorized by a proxy letter from the Chief as outlined in the Dene Nation Constitution and By-Laws.

When addressing the floor, delegates or designated spokespersons must identify themselves and the community they represent for recording purposes. Any full member of the Dene Nation is entitled to participate in the National Assembly and to voice his or her opinion on any issue under discussion; but, where consensus is not reached among all, voting privileges are reserved for official delegates.

The assemblies are presented in both Dene and English with the simultaneous translation being offered during the days of the event.

 


At the 41st Dene National Assembly at Fort Providence, Denendeh July 11-15, 2011 drummers gathered for the “Feeding The Fire Ceremony”.

Previous Dene National Assemblies

  • 48th Dene National Assembly: August 2018, Hay River West Point First Nation
  • 47th Dene National Assembly: July 2017, Hay River Dene Reserve
  • 46th Dene National Assembly: July 2016, Fort Simpson
  • 45th Dene National Assembly: July 2015, Deline
  • 44th Dene National Assembly: June 2014, Fort Smith
  • 43rd Dene National Assembly: July 2013, Inuvik
  • 42nd Dene National Assembly: July 2012, Whati/Dettah
  • 41st Dene National Assembly: July 2011, Fort Providence
  • 40th Dene National Assembly: July 2010, Fort Good Hope
  • 39th Dene National Assembly: July 2009, Lutsel K’e
  • 38th Dene National Assembly: July 2008, Fort McPherson
  • 37th Dene National Assembly: July 2007, Behchoko
  • 36th Dene National Assembly: July 2006, Hay River Dene Reserve/Fort Good Hope
  • 35th Dene National Assembly: July 2005, Deline
  • 34th Dene National Assembly: July 2004, Yellowknife (Weledeh River)
  • 33rd Dene National Assembly: July 2003, Aklavik
  • 32nd Dene National Assembly: July 2002, Fort Simpson
  • 31st Dene National Assembly: July 2001, Tulita/Yellowknife
  • 30th Dene National Assembly: July 2000, Fort Resolution
  • 29th Dene National Assembly: July 1999, Jean Marie River
  • 28th Dene National Assembly: July 1998, Yellowknife (Weledeh River)
  • 27th Dene National Assembly: July 1997, Hay River Dene Reserve
  • 26th Dene National Assembly: July 1996, Fort Resolution
  • 25th Dene National Assembly: July 1995, Fort Providence
  • 24th Dene National Assembly: July 1994, Lutsel K’e
  • 23rd Dene National Assembly: July 1993, Tulita
  • 22nd Dene National Assembly: July 1992, Wrigley
  • 21st Dene National Assembly: July 1991, Fort Smith (Bell Rock)
  • 20th Dene National Assembly: July 1990, Dettah
  • 19th Dene National Assembly: July 1989, Inuvik
  • 18th Dene National Assembly: July 1988, Hay River Dene Reserve
  • 17th Dene National Assembly: July 1987, Fort Good Hope
  • 16th Dene National Assembly: July 1986, Lutsel K’e
  • 15th Dene National Assembly: July 1985, Deline
  • 14th Dene National Assembly: July 1984, Behchoko
  • 13th Dene National Assembly: July 1983, Fort Resolution
  • 12th Dene National Assembly: July 1982, Fort Simpson/Fort McPherson
  • 11th Dene National Assembly: July 1981, Fort Providence
  • 10th Dene National Assembly: July 1980, Fort Good Hope
  • 9th Dene National Assembly: July 1979, Fort Providence
  • 8th Dene National Assembly: July 1978, Deline/Whati/Tulita
  • 7th Dene National Assembly: July 1977, Fort Fitzgerald/Deline
  • 6th Dene National Assembly: July 1976, Fort Simpson/Tulita
  • 5th Dene National Assembly: July 1975, Behchoko
  • 4th Dene National Assembly: July 1974, Fort Good Hope/Wrigley
  • 3rd Dene National Assembly: July 1973, Yellowknife
  • 2nd Dene National Assembly: July 1972, Fort McPherson
  • 1st Dene National Assembly: July 1971, Behchoko
  • Dene National Assembly: July 1970, Yellowknife