We Remember the Coming of the White Man

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By Elizabeth Yakeleya, Sarah Simon and other Sahtú and Gwich'in Elders
Edited by Sarah Stewart; Foreword, Raymond Yakeleya; Afterword, Colette Poitras

Gwich’in Dene title: GAHNAAANDAIH Unjoo kat degehnoo daiʔ anahgoogwaandak

Dene Elders tell the history of their times

A work in progress since the 1970s, We Remember the Coming of the White Man chronicles the history of the Dene People in the extraordinary time of the early 20th century. Chapters are transcripts of oral histories of ten Elders and revolve around their recollections of the early days of fur trading and guns; missionaries and the flu epidemic; dismay about the way oil and uranium discoveries were handled on their land; and the emotional and economic fallout of the signing of Treaty 11. The book is rich with photographs, and Elders’ stories are in English and Dene Gwich’in. Bundled with the book is a redux DVD version of Raymond Yakeleya’s stunning 1976 film We Remember, complete with director’s commentary.

Dene Elders in the book (now all deceased) are Joe Blondin, John Blondin, Elizabeth Yakeleya, Mary Wilson, Isadore Yukon, Peter Thompson, Jim Sittichinli, Sarah Simon, Johnny Kay, and Andrew Kunnizzi. Dene Gwich’in Dene translation is by Bella Ross. View samples >>

Durvile & UpRoute Books has partnered with the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) to create a digital version of this book that is accessible for people with print disabilities

Keywords: Indigenous, Dene Nation, Elders, Treaty 11, Hudson Bay Company, Missionaries, North West Territory

Elizabeth Yakeleya

Now deceased, Elizabeth Yakeleya (nee Blondin) a Sahtu Willow Lake Dene, was born in 1906 in Norman Wells (Tlegohli) and was educated at the convent in Fort Providence (Zhahti Koe). In 1925 she married Johnny Yakeleya and they had twelve children.

Sarah Simon

Now deceased, Sarah Simon, Gwich’in, was born in the Delta on the Mackenzie River (Deh Cho) in 1901. She married James Simon, who was later ordained an Anglican minister. Sarah travelled with James to Yukon as a missionary and served her people for many years as a mid-wife, nurse and interpreter. She translated for government officials, doctors and for her Chief, Johnny Kaye. In June 1982 she received the Commissioner’s Award for her service to her people and community. Sarah Simon died in 2001. She was 100 years old.

Sarah Stewart, editor

Sarah Stewart is a writer who lived for many years in the Northwest Territories. She and her husband Bill Stewart were part of Raymond’s team for the production of Raymond Yakeleya's 1976 film "We Remember."

Raymond Yakeleya, foreword

Raymond is an award-winning Dene television producer, director and writer, originally from Tulita in NWT, now residing in Edmonton. His award-winning documentary films including We Remember for CBC and The Last Mooseskin Boat for NFB have screened at festivals around the world.

Colette Poitras, afterword

Colette is Red River Métis and Chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations Indigenous Matters Committee. Poitras believes libraries have a duty and the privilege to partner with Indigenous community to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages.”