Category: elder
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First Nations? Why it is a Big Deal
Indigenous Identity — A Necessary Reckoning the picture above is my dad and older brother Freddy Thomas King’s admission that he falsely claimed Cherokee identity forces a hard truth back into the light. And I will say it plainly: Indigenous identity is not an aesthetic. It is not a performance. It is not something you…
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The Last Denesuline Traditional Marriage
My extraordinary mama “In every marriage, there is not only the joining of two people, but of two worlds — one visible, one spiritual.”— Joseph Campbell IMy mother, Therese Deranger (née Adams). She was the matriarch of our family. I also write about my father, Isidore Deranger. Their union was one of the last traditional…
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DENE WAYS
Oral Tradition — The Living Heartbeat of Our Denesuline Culture “Myths are public dreams, and dreams are private myths.” – Joseph Campbell In this chapter, I write about oral tradition as the heartbeat of our Denesuline culture. Oral traditions are the living foundation of who we are. Long before our people read or write, we…
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Mama
Mama: Matriarch of Strength (1919–2016) “What I think is that a good life is one hero journey after another. Over and over again, you are called to the realm of adventure, you are called to new horizons. Each time, there is the same problem: do I dare? And then if you do dare, the dangers…
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Rose — Survivor with an Indomitable Spirit
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus In this chapter, I write about my sister Rose, the strongest person I know. She is dynamic, fearless, and deeply committed to protecting both people and the land. Her life has been marked by struggles. No…
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Embracing Nature: A Dene Perspective
my dad, Isidore Deranger with my older brother Freddy. Indigenous teachings hold significant value in today’s world, offering profound insights into sustainability, community, and respect for nature. These teachings emphasize a deep connection to the land. They foster a holistic understanding of life that can guide us in addressing contemporary challenges. By prioritizing these traditions,…
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Resilience Through Oral History: The Dene Experience
Oral traditions are the vibrant essence of our Denesuline culture. Long before written words existed, knowledge flowed from mouth to ear, from Elder to child, and from heart to heart. These narratives were not merely for amusement; they were vessels of law, memory, instruction, and prophecy. In our family, storytelling was a means of survival.…
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Mama – Therese Deranger (1919–2016)
Mama, whose full name was Therese Deranger (née Adams), was born on May 8, 1919, in Old Fort, Alberta. She married young—at the age of 14—and became the matriarch of a large family of sixteen children. She raised us with discipline and strength. She could be as strict as a drill sergeant. Once, my brother…
From the Shores of the Ottawa River 