Project manager Shane Janvier and director Mary-Anne Neal with the book at Tuesday's ceremony. (Submitted photo/Shane Janvier)

By Derek Cornet

Dene Strong

New non-fiction book provides unique look into Dene culture and life

May 10, 2022 | 5:08 PM

A new book that aims to highlight positive stories of La Loche was officially released Tuesday.

Dene Strong is a compilation of non-fiction stories and photographs written and submitted by 30 community members in conjunction with educator and project director Mary-Anne Neal. A special ceremony was held this afternoon at La Loche’s Dene High School to release the book and it included drumming, jigging, round dancing and a barbecue open to the public.

Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russell Mirasty was in attendance, as well as project manager and community school coordinator Shane Janvier. Those who submitted stories were also there and were each gifted a book.

“People have written about hunting, fishing, about their childhood. They’ve written about what it means to be close to the land, going out and being at their cabin,” Neal said. “All of the stories are real.”

Neal explained the project had been in the works for a few years, but it was finally able to proceed in October 2021 with funding from Northern Lights School Division, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan and the Government of Saskatchewan. She said Janvier reached out to her because he was looking for a way to preserve the cultural heritage of the Dene people.

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Neal arrived in La Loche in October and did a presentation with students from Dene High School about what was planned. Other community members such as Elders were interviewed and residents were encourage to participate if they wished.

The celebration included the unveiling of the new book, as well as dancing, singing and a barbecue. (Submitted photo/Shane Janvier)

“In November, I came back and we started compiling the stories, then we had to edit them to bring them up to professional standards,” Neal said. “That took a couple of months, then we had to design and format the book.”

Now that Dene Strong is published and being distributed, Neal mentioned it will become an intergeneration legacy written for current and future residents of La Loche.

She noted the book is a collection of true stories from the perspective of an average day person, adding historically the record left behind in Canada has been from politicians, church officials or employees from the Hudson’s Bay Company.

“We feel with having a place in libraries and in the curriculum is the best to tell the true history, the true culture and the true values of the Dene people,” Neal said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno