Clearwater River Dene Nation
The Clearwater River Dene Nation is a Dene First Nations band government in the boreal forest area of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. It maintains offices in the village of Clearwater River situated on the eastern shore of Lac La Loche. The Clearwater River Dene Nation reserve of Clearwater River shares its southern border with the village of La Loche.
Satellite image of Clearwater River territory
Members receiving Treaty 8 payments at Portage La Loche (West La Loche). The HBC residence is in the background (1911)
Clearwater River Dene Nation band office with the school in the background
CRDN community hall on Lac La Loche
Chipewyan or Dënesųłinë́, often simply called Dëne, is the language spoken by the Chipewyan people of northwestern Canada. It is categorized as part of the Northern Athabaskan language family. It has nearly 12,000 speakers in Canada, mostly in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. It has official status only in the Northwest Territories, alongside 8 other aboriginal languages: Cree, Tlicho, Gwich'in, Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey and South Slavey.
Dënesųłinë́ sign at La Loche Airport
Welcome signs by the La Loche Airport
Close-up of Dënesųłinë́ and English sign