Explore Our Region
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Explore Our Region
Homeland of the Dogrib people
The Dogrib Dene have lived in the area north of Great Slave Lake
for many centuries. Their name comes from a story which says they
descended from a supernatural dog-man.
The Dogrib share the southern part of the Northwest Territories
with three Dene groups, the Chipewyan, the Slavey and the Yellowknives.
They refer to themselves as Dene (Deh-neh) which means “the
people”. Their languages are related to those of Athapaskan
peoples in Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon,
Arizona and New Mexico, and these languages are all official languages
of the Northwest Territories.
To greet a visitor you shake hands, as there is no direct translation for hello and goodbye in Dogrib.
Some common words and phrases include:
Mahsi cho - Thank you very much
Sombak’e - money place – Yellowknife
Tide – Great Slave Lake
Ekwo – caribou
He?e – Yes
Ile - No
Photo by Tessa Macintosh, courtesy Sah Naji Kwe Wilderness Spa.
