K'ATLODEECHE/HAY RIVER RESERVE - Language and culture were the top concerns at a recent conference of elders from around the NWT.

Pat Martel, chair of the Yamozha K'ue Society, speaks at an elders gathering held March 17 to 19 on the Hay River Reserve. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The Yamozha K'ue Society's Elders Gathering was held from March 17 to 19 on the Hay River Reserve.

At the conclusion of the gathering, the elders passed several resolutions, including one calling for Dene language and culture immersion programs for children in kindergarten to Grade 6.

The society, also known as the Dene Cultural Institute, has been working to assist Dene maintain their distinct culture since 1987.

"People lately have started really worrying about our language," said Pat Martel, the chair of the Yamozha K'ue Society.

Until now, Martel said elders had depended on schools to teach language and culture, but they now feel they have to get more involved.

"The most important thing is the language," he said. "The language and the culture come together."

Charlie Snowshoe, a conference participant from Fort McPherson, said elders should be pushing for action on language survival.

"Language is a big concern to all the First Nations people," he said.

Snowshoe said an immersion program would be nice, but it has to be in conjunction with on-the-land programs.

The elder pointed to French speakers in the NWT as having a better system to protect their language than aboriginal people.

"They've got their own schooling," he said.

Snowshoe, who is fluent in Gwich'in, also said support is needed to help adults learn and retain their language.

The conference, which attracted about 40 people, also discussed the rejuvenation of the Denendeh Elders Council, which is an advisory group for the Yamozha K'ue Society.

The council never ceased to exist, but Martel said some members have died, while others are not active because of illness.

"We wanted to get the elders council back together and moving forward," he said. "I think it's important to the Yamozha K'ue Society."

The council normally has two representatives from each of five regions - the Deh Cho, Akaitcho Territory, Tlicho, Sahtu and the Gwich'in area.

"I think the message is that now we need to move forward with the elders," Martel said. "They got to get organized because some of these elders are fairly new at the meeting."

Some new members of the Denendeh Elders Council have already been appointed, including a few past chiefs.

Martel is hopeful for the future of the Denendeh Elders Council based on the recent elders gathering.

"They really have an insight on what needs to be done to move forward," he said.

Fort McPherson's Snowshoe is not currently on the elders council, but he said he would be 100 per cent interested in joining the group.

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