The annual "Dene Gathering", which brings together First Nations people of Alaska and the sub-arctic region and their far-flung (but linguistically related) cousins from Oregon and the American southwest, will be held August 9-15 in Black Lake, Sask.

People of the Denesuline, Dogrib, Slavey, Navajo and Apache nations gather every year to explore common issues. These include economic development, health/wellness, specific issues relating to women, children and elders, and the preservation of Dene languages and cultures, as well as protection of traditional lands.

While Bill will be attending this gathering mainly as an observer, Lynda will be doing a launch of her new book, the second in a two-part series based on interviews with Dene elders in the late 1970s.

North of 60

"North of 60" is an event organized by Saskatchewan's Dene nations and their larger political body, the Prince Albert Grand Council, to address their concerns about the territorial boundary that restricts the Dene people of Saskatchewan from use of their traditional lands in the southern part of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Sixty Saskatchewan Dene elders will spend the week living off the land in the Damant Lake area of the NWT, showing politicians and other guests the Dene people's traditional ways of life. The PAGC's Doug Elias, who has been doing in-depth research into the archaeological evidence behind the Dene's claims to this land, will release a report on his findings.

There will also be updates on the PAGC's negotiations with the federal and NWT governments on ways that the Dene can gain some jurisdiction or at least some voice in discussions about this area. It is expected that there will some representation from the other governments at this gathering.

Damant Lake is 140 miles north of Stony Rapids, Sask. The "North of 60" gathering will run from Aug. 17 to 22.