Chipewyan

Quick Facts: Who was Chipewyan?

Subject:

Chipewyan

Known for:

Dene group from Athabaskan family, historically residing in Western Canada.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Chipewyan ( CHIP-ə-WY-ən, also called the Dënesųłı̨né [tènɛ̀sũ̀ɬìné]), are a Dene group of Indigenous Canadian people belonging to the Athabaskan language family, whose ancestors are identified with the Taltheilei Shale archaeological tradition. They are part of the Northern Athabascan group of peoples, and hail from what is now Western Canada. The name Dënesųłı̨né, also written Denésoliné or Dënë Sųłınë́, means "the original/real people".

Career & Major Achievements

The term Chipewyan (ᒌᐯᐘᔮᐣ) is an exonym from the Cree language meaning 'pointed hides', referring to the design of their parkas. The French-speaking missionaries to the northwest of the Red River Colony referred to the Chipewyan people as Montagnais in their documents written in French. Montagnais simply means 'mountain people' or 'highlanders' in French and has been applied to many unrelated nations across North America over time.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

For example, the missionaries also referred to the Neenolino Innu of northern Quebec as Montagnais. Historically, the Denesuline were allied to some degree with the southerly Cree peoples. They warred against Inuit and other Dene peoples to the north of Chipewyan lands.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chipewyan

True or False: “The term 'Montagnais' was exclusively used by French missionaries to refer to the Chipewyan people.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The term 'Montagnais' was applied by missionaries to many unrelated nations across North America, not solely the Chipewyan.

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