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Location, Environment and Activities

The community of Wollaston Lake is situated on the southeastern shore of the great lake of Wollaston, known in Dene as “axe” lake.  The road to Wollaston ends on the southwestern shore of Wollaston Lake at a place called Points North.  From there a barge takes you to Wollaston.  Also known as the Post, Wollaston Lake is a Dene community of approximately 1300 people.  Our community is located 912 kilometers north of Saskatoon between the 58^th and 59^th parallels.  We are situated in a bay on the lake occupied by a hamlet on one side and the two points known as the reserve.  Wollaston consists of an off-reserve hamlet and the reserve called Hatchet Lake.

During two seasons, fall freeze up and spring break up, weather patterns develop as the lake begins to freeze and again as it melts in the spring.  Traveling in and out of our community during these times is difficult and we may therefore get a little taste of “cabin fever.”

Many events and activities evolve around the lake such as hunting, fishing, and trapping.  The Dene people of Wollaston Lake are mostly outdoor enthusiasts who take advantage of life in the outdoors.  We are known as the “Caribou Eaters,” for hunting caribou in the winter season to provide our essential diet.  It is common for local people to hunt on weekends since many people are now employed during the week.

During the short summer months fishing, camping and hunting are enjoyed by everyone. In July the berry season begins and in late August blueberries and cranberries are abundant.  Catch-and-release fish derbies are scheduled for anglers.   Commercial fishing begins in late July and ends in early October, providing income and employment for men and women, some of whom are employed at the fish plant. 

For the person who loves the outdoors, there are more than enough recreational activities to keep them occupied.  There is hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, skiing, camping and hiking.  For those more inclined to indoor activities, the school gymnasiums and the Band hall can be used to play indoor sports.  Yearly events such as the Carnival and hand games are a must to see.

Outdoor skills are highly valued and taught.  There is a distinct division of labor, with men doing the hunting and fishing and women preparing the hides and dry meat and doing the other domestic skills of rearing a family.

Our community is Roman Catholic and regular church attendance is common.  Catholic values are respected and encouraged.  Many local women are involved in catechism, baptism, confirmation and marriage preparation. 

The Dene

As members of the Hatchet Lake Band, we are part of a large diverse Aboriginal group. We refer to ourselves as the Dene, “the people”.  Our geographically isolated peoples originally came from one core group and over the centuries spread out through the sub-Arctic and beyond.  The Wollaston Lake Dene people belong to the Chippewyn group, and more specifically the Denesuline, which include people from Fond du Lac, Black Lake, and Lac Brochet.  It should be pointed out that Dene is a preferred term.  The name Chippewyan was originally a derogatory term applied by the Cree during the fur trade era to describe the hood, a garment commonly used by the Dene.  Warfare was active during the fur trade over the monopoly and territory of trade.

Traditionally, the Dene followed caribou migration and seasonal animal movement into the late 1950s.  Being primarily hunters of caribou, our main source of food, we still follow ancient migration routes.  In addition to caribou, fish and other wildlife make up part of our diet.

While the people in Wollaston have maintained close ties to the land, it is worth remembering that we are a people in transition.  Until 1957, our lives had essentially remained unchanged for centuries.  Settling into one community only 40 years ago, we have played catch up with the 20^th century ever since.  These rapid changes have in turn produced for us the types of social problems common in the North and other places where indigenous peoples have had the outside world imposed upon them.

Common family names include Tsannie, Joseyounen, Dzeylion, Josie, Hugarth, Aistine, St. Pierre, Benonie, Kkaikka, Kkailther, and Hansen.

Community Events 

Carnival is the highlight of hospitality for the people of Wollaston Lake.  Dog mushers (men and women) compete with each other provincially and nationally.  Snowmobile drag races, long distance and relays are popular.  King and Queen trapper events that require skill and demonstration are a crowd’s delight.  Dancing, singing, and exhibiting talent is a must to watch.  The men’s favorite tournaments are the “hand games” that continue throughout the Carnival.  Visiting and renewing friendships during the Carnival are the reasons why people keep returning to Wollaston Lake.  The population almost doubles during this time with the outlying communities visiting.

Local Customs

Our local customs are cultural behaviors that may be different from your customs because of your upbringing.  Because of this, teachers often find themselves in difficult circumstances teaching in the North.  The problem lies with some teachers’ attitude of “looking down” and excluding people who do not fit their expectations.  Dene people perceive the behavior of non-Aboriginals to be different because Dene ways of doing things are based on the community’s culture.  Teachers who enter a whole new dimension of a foreign language and culture find themselves perplexed by the cultural behavior of the Dene people.

Caribou is the main food staple for the Dene people of Wollaston Lake.  Traditionally, every part of the caribou was used for clothing, tools, hide tanning softener (brain), sinew (for sewing) among other things.  Certain parts are considered “delicacies”; one in particular is the caribou head.  It is a great honor to be offered the tongue.  The fetus of the caribou is usually offered to the elders, a highly respectful and honored custom.

Dry meat mixed with lard - rendered caribou fat and marrow - is considered a delicious meal.  Pounded dry meat mixed with rendered fat and either blueberries or cranberries and sugar is considered priceless.  Fish stomach (pipe shaped), fish eggs (known as caviar) and sucker heads are also local delicacies.

If you are offered any item considered a delicacy, you are considered a respected person.

“How do I behave at a wedding, funeral or major events in the community?” is a common question teachers ask.  These community events are open to everyone and we call this “open invitation.”  This custom is often difficult to get accustomed to.  Unless a family decides on a closed affair, community activities are an open invitation. “The honor of one is the honor of all, and the sadness of one is the sadness of all” (Chief Dan George, 1989).

When is it proper to take pictures?  Respectfully, you should ask the family, although at most weddings it seems everyone takes pictures.  Even the priest does not object.

An interesting aspect of our culture that is different from Western culture is how people enter other people’s homes.  Knocking on the door is not necessary; you are welcome to simply walk into any house unannounced.  That takes a bit of getting use to for people who are not aware of this custom; however, people usually knock on the teacher’s door, so don’t worry. 

The Dene Language

The Dene language belongs to the Athabaskan (or Athapaskan) linguistic group.  Several language dialects range in a large geographic area and as far south as the United States.  The Navajo and Apache are part of this language group.  One theory suggests that we may have originated from Northern Russia and immigrated across the Bering Strait on an ice bridge. 

Dene is classified as one of the third most difficult languages to learn in the world. The language consists of glottal sounds that non-Dene speakers find very difficult to articulate.  Teachers need to realize that students are used to speaking in their first language.  The language may seem foreign and strange.  There are a lot of unfamiliar sounds; it actually sounds like people are choking but in fact they are making glottal sounds.  It takes practice and perseverance to learn the language. 

The writing system, called syllabics, was adopted by a missionary, Randle, in an effort to translate the Bible into Cree, Dene and Inuit.  Roman Orthography is a new writing system newly introduced - again by missionaries - to simplify the syllabic way of writing.  It is a new and difficult way of writing because many people do not read or write.  Although the church developed a hymn book in orthography, the local people are adamant that the syllabic system is much easier to learn.  Therefore, the Dene language in our community is still very much an oral language.

The following table presents the Dene Roman Orthography place and the manner of articulation.  These include the:

·        bilabial:  formed by using both lips, making explosive aspirated releases

·        interdental:   formed between teeth with gentle aspiration

·        alveolar:  formed with the tongue behind the upper teeth

·        lateral:  the tongue touches the alveolar ridge but both sides of the tongue are lowered to permit the escape of air; the (click) glottal sound is made by the escape of air and slight usage of the salvia

·        alveo-palatal:  the tongue reaches the hard palate with varying force

·        velar:  the tongue reaches the soft palate with a slight forcing motion

·        glottal:  the air is stopped by the vocal cords.

Dene Roman Orthography: Place and Manner of Articulation

Vowels

The Dene language is unique with emphasis on glottal sounds that are hard to make if you do not speak Dene.  If you are familiar with French, German or an Asian language, it may be easier to pronounce some sounds.  There are four letter sounds in our language:  f, v, p and q.  The letter “r” is similar to the rolling “r” in the French language. 

Common Greetings and Phrases

Elders

How do I approach an elder or ask for local resources?  The people to ask are your school principals, teacher associates (they have insight to the dynamics of the community) or parents.  They will recommend elders who commonly volunteer their services.  You must be specific as to what you want of elders and resource people.  The community is concerned that elders are teachers of our community.  Therefore, to repay their service, a small gift would be appreciated or invite them to a classroom tea. 

Hatchet Lake Band Governance and By-Laws

Governance

The offices of the Chief and Council are located in the Band office which is like a Town Hall office.  The officials are responsible for Band Status members, for people from off the reserve, and for those who are registered under Bill C-31.  Bill C-31 was passed by the government in 1985, and restored Indian status to people who had lost status for one reason or another.  It is through this office that people are registered onto our reserve.  As well, it is in the Band Office that program issues are addressed; people are assisted in obtaining or renewing treaty cards and in completing their income tax forms; and it is here that Saskatchewan statistics or such related information is released.

The Chief and Council hold responsibilities as per their portfolio appointment.  The programs that the Chief and Council oversee are administered by program Directors.  In addition, committees - appointed by the Chief and Council - assist in the policy governance of each program.  Board of Education members are elected for a maximum of two, 4-year terms. 

Chief Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth oversees all programs, travels for political purposes, and works in guidance of the Elders.

Our Council members and their portfolios are:

• Emil Dzeylion                   

• Veronique Dzeylion         -Welfare

• Jean Marie Tsannie        -Education and Recreation

• Alec Josie                        -Housing

• George Tsannie              -Health

Elders sit on committees, attend Council meetings, assist in the governance of our people, and are highly respected in our community.

The leadership are approachable.  To contact the Chief and Council, you must phone the Band office and make an appointment.  Although some of our Council members will meet you without making an appointment, it is always respectful to phone ahead.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION regarding the Band Office call our Band Manager, Margaret Clarke, at 633-2003.

By-Laws

The Chief and Council assume responsibility for our Band members, as well as accountability for Band members’ actions.  An Alcohol and Drug by-law was implemented to maintain order and to attempt to deal with social dysfunction caused by alcohol. 

This community social dysfunction is a difficult issue for our leadership to confront.  Feedback from our teachers suggests that this Handbook include mention of this cultural social breakdown that affects the children in our schools.  Yet with the help of concerned caregivers, of department heads, Chief and Council, and Elders of our community, we address such issues as:

·        lack of jobs and the number of people who rely on social assistance

·        problems with social disintegration

·        local culture is not better or worse than what you are used to, it is simply different

·        teachers’ role in our community.

At our orientation in the fall, I will talk about issues that teachers find perplexing. 

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