A collection of traditional stories passed down by Dene Elders and rendered into English, Dene Legends offers insight into the spiritual and moral landscape of one of northern Canada’s Indigenous peoples. These narratives recount the creation of the world—how the earth came into being and was filled with animals, plants, and humankind. Like the mythic traditions of many cultures, the Dene tales describe an early age when people and animals shared a common language and understanding.
Through these stories, the Dene explain why creatures look and act as they do, and how their behaviors and colours came to be. More than simple tales, the legends served as an educational guide for young listeners, teaching respect for the natural world, the importance of heeding the wisdom of elders, and the value of community knowledge. They also preserved the dignity and purpose of older storytellers, who, though no longer able to hunt or fish, held an essential role as teachers and keepers of cultural memory.
Adapted from the book’s Introduction.
