This document is a preface to a Grade 10 Dene Studies course, to be piloted in 1988/89. Dene studies curriculum was produced by the Department of Education of the Northwest Territories and the Dene Nation beginning in 1986-1987. The 1987-1988 Dene Studies project team included Georgina Blondin, Ernie Camsell, Cheryl Fennell, Cynthia Flood, Bruce Fraser, Patricia Keays,and Patricia Robison. The document outlines Grade 10 Dene Studies design, structure, content, and approach; forexample, learning objectives around the significance of the Dene drum. It also provides a reading list and outlines several activities.

An illustrative section of the text: Principles on which Dene Studies is based reads, “1. Culture is learned. We learn fully about culture in communities, with people, not in a classroom. The instructional setting limits the aspects of culture that can be explored, particularly when the culture under study is land and group/community based. Dene Studies concentrates on those aspects of culture that can be taught in a classroom, but recognizes that classroom study alone will not lead to full knowledge and understanding of Dene culture.” (4)

Access this Resource: 

Dene Studies curriculum documents are held in the NWT Archives. See item no. N-2007-014: 1-1. 

Dene Studies Project Team. Introduction to Dene Studies, Teacher’s Guide. Yellowknife: Northwest Territories Department of Education and the Dene Nation, 1988.