Dene Nation

10/20/2026

Congratulations to Yellowknife City Councillor elect CODY DRYGEESE!

He is a member of YKDFN and ran for Yellowknife City Council and came in 1st place.

Cody Drygeese can be seen in community drumming and singing for the people. In addition Cody Drygeese is an Environmental Specialist with Det’on Cho Environmental and a proud member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN), with over ten years of professional experience in the environmental field. He is a beginner speaker of Wiiliideh Yati, the language of the YKDFN. He promotes the value of Indigenous business inclusion in projects around Yellowknife as well as YKDFN involvement in environmental monitoring and environmental management.

10/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENE NATION CALLS FOR DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL DENIALISM

[OCTOBER 15, 2026 -YELLOWKNIFE, DENENDEH] — Dene Nation’s position is that Residential school denialism is not an innocent disagreement about history. It is an attack on Survivors, their families, Indigenous Peoples, and the truth documented through testimony, investigations, and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Canada has already established a legislative precedent. The 2022 law criminalizing Holocaust denial recognizes that deliberate denial, distortion, and minimization of historical atrocities can promote hatred and endanger vulnerable communities. Dene National Chief George Mackenzie states, “If Canada can protect Jewish communities by restricting Holocaust denial, it must provide equal protection to Indigenous Peoples confronting denial of residential schools, hospitals, deaths, abuse, and the genocidal purpose of colonial policies.”

At present, denying or downplaying residential school atrocities remains legal. Proposed amendments to section 319 of the Criminal Code—and a Senate amendment to Bill C-9 that would have addressed residential school denialism—were not adopted. This failure leaves Survivors and Indigenous communities without the protection Canada has deemed necessary in another context.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew stated on October 9, 2026 in a CBC interview that residential school denialism is "detestable but not illegal," and expressed opposition to criminalizing it through federal legislation like MP Leah Gazan's Bill C-254. Instead, he argued that the issue should be addressed through ongoing public education and combatting misinformation.

“Canada cannot demand reconciliation while permitting the denial of the institutions that caused profound and continuing harm,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie. “Residential school denialism is an assault on Survivors and an attempt to erase Indigenous history. Equal justice requires equal protection. Parliament must act.”

The federal government must recognize residential schools as a central fact of Canadian history and legislate clear consequences for wilfully denying, condoning, minimizing, or misrepresenting their documented harms in ways that promote hatred against Indigenous Peoples.

Chief Mackenzie calls on Parliament, provincial governments, educators, and all Canadians to support survivor-led education, truth-based public policy, accountability, and legislation that makes reconciliation meaningful rather than rhetorical.

Mahsi
-Digitally Signed October 15, 2026-
George Mackenzie,
Dene National Chief, Regional Chief AFN-NT Region

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For more information, please contact: Leanne Goose Email: [email protected] Phone: 587-986-6215

10/07/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENE NATION DELIVERS A YEAR OF RESULTS FOR DENENDEH AND SETS THE COURSE FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Strong advocacy on water, children and families, housing, public safety and Treaty rights defined 2025–26, and the Chiefs of Denendeh have given clear direction for 2026–27 at the 56th Dene National Assembly

[OCTOBER 7, 2026 -YELLOWKNIFE, DENENDEH] — Dene Nation delivered a full year of advocacy on the priorities set by the Chiefs of Denendeh in 2025–26: water, children and families, housing, public safety and the Treaties. The year-end report was presented to delegates at the 56th Dene National Assembly, hosted by Kátł’odeeche First Nation, where the Chiefs set direction for the year ahead.

“Our Chiefs and Elders gave us clear direction, and our staff delivered on it,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie. “The results this year reflect the hard work and commitment of the people in this organization, and the relationships we have built with our funders and partners by delivering value for the Dene.”

A year of results for Denendeh
Water remained a top priority. On July 29, 2026, the Dene National Chief and Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Water between Dene Nation and the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, covering the shared waters that flow north into Denendeh.
Acting on the direction of the Chiefs, Dene Nation also advanced a Dene-led approach to child and family services, establishing a working committee with Dene Elders at its centre and securing additional federal funding for the work. Improving the lives of Dene children, and of the generations to come, remains a core priority.

Dene Nation also carried the Dene position to the national stage. At the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in December 2025, Chiefs from across Canada passed Dene Nation’s resolution calling for direct federal funding to Dene Nation and the NWT Region for all fiscal transfers, including child welfare compensation and long-term reform, so that Dene communities receive funding directly, without intermediaries. It built on the Dene Nation resolution the Assembly passed in December 2024 to ensure the fair and equitable inclusion of the Northwest Territories in the child welfare compensation and long-term reform final settlement agreement. Canada has since said it welcomes the opportunity to work with rights holders in the Northwest Territories who wish to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.

Dene Nation’s Housing Report documented the housing crisis across Denendeh, and the Dene National Chief called for federal housing dollars to flow directly to Dene communities. Dene Nation carried forward the Chiefs’ direction on the drug crisis, pressing for Dene-led policing, treatment and healing, while its Jordan’s Principle and Non-Insured Health Benefits staff worked directly with families in communities from Aklavik to Fort Smith.

On June 2, 2026, the Dene National Chief was received by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he reminded the King that the Treaties are living agreements and invited him to visit the Northwest Territories. Closer to home, Dene Nation stood firm against the Alberta separation referendum, pushed back when funding for residential school survivor counselling was cut, and welcomed its reinstatement.
Managing rising costs in the North.

The cost of operating in the Northwest Territories has climbed steeply in recent years. Airfares, accommodation, rent, freight and the price of goods and services have all risen across Denendeh. The National Assembly of Remote Communities’ Phase 1 study, completed in March 2026, found that the Northwest Territories has the highest remoteness-driven funding need in Canada, and that the four highest-cost communities in the country are all in Denendeh.

Despite these pressures, Dene Nation closed 2025–26 with a year-end surplus, the first that a Dene National Chief has been able to report in a very long time, and enters 2026–27 in a stronger financial position. Federal funders — including Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada — along with the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Information Governance Centre have renewed, and in some cases expanded, their agreements with Dene Nation. That includes new funding for the Dene-led child and family services work.

“We are a small organization with a big mandate, and we punch above our weight,” said Dene National Chief Mackenzie. “Finishing the year in surplus, with costs rising across the North, is a testament to the responsible management of every dollar entrusted to us. Dene Nation is in a good position, and we are ready to build on it and keep delivering for the Dene.”
Direction from the Chiefs for the year ahead.

At the 56th Dene National Assembly, delegates set direction for the coming year through resolutions that establish the Dene Water Council, explore Dene jurisdiction over child welfare and family services, oppose the release of oil sands tailings into the waters flowing into Denendeh, and support the Dene Cultural Institute’s transition and the rebuilding of the facility it lost to wildfire in 2023. Delegates also resolved to establish a Dene Think Tank, improve medical travel for patients, strengthen education in Dene communities, and assert Dene knowledge and data sovereignty.

Delegates further resolved to support the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in obtaining a conservation area to protect the Bathurst caribou herd while it is in Chief Drygeese Territory, established under Dene law and Dene knowledge and led by the Yellowknives Dene.

“This has been the best year yet. We leave the 56th Dene National Assembly with a clear mandate from our Chiefs and a stronger foundation to carry it out, and we look forward to doing even more for our people in the year ahead,” said National Chief Mackenzie. “Mahsi cho to Kátł’odeeche First Nation for hosting us.”

Mahsi

George Mackenzie,
Dene National Chief, Regional Chief AFN-NT Region

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For more information, please contact: Leanne Goose Email: [email protected] Phone: 587-986-6215

10/05/2026

Photo highlights from this weeks Dene National Assembly courtesy of Celine Vukson.

10/02/2026

A few photos of this past week at the 56th Dene National Assembly.

10/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

56TH DENE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ADVANCES UNITY, RIGHTS, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION

[KATŁ’ODEECHE FIRST NATION, DENENDEH - OCTOBER 1, 2026] The Dene National Chief is pleased to report on the successful conclusion of the 56th Dene National Assembly, held at Katlodeeche First Nation from September 29 to October 1, 2026.

The Assembly provided an important forum for Dene leaders, delegates, Elders, youth, and community representatives to discuss shared priorities and strengthen collective action. Dene National Chief Mackenzie stated, “This gathering shows the strength of the words of our elders, the importance of Dene unity, self-determination, and successful representation on matters affecting Dene communities, lands, waters, languages, cultures, and future generations.”

Throughout the Assembly, participants examined key priorities related to Dene rights, governance, community well-being, economic and social development, environmental stewardship, and relationships with federal, territorial, and other governments. Discussions emphasized the need for continued collaboration among Dene communities and for governments to respect and advance Dene rights and interests through meaningful engagement and action.

The Assembly also reaffirmed the commitment of the Dene Nation to strong, accountable governance and to supporting communities in addressing their priorities. Delegates identified the importance of ongoing advocacy, coordinated policy development, intergovernmental relations, and sustained communication among Dene leadership. The actions arising from the Assembly will guide the continued work of the Dene Nation and its leadership in the year ahead.

The Dene National Chief furthers to say, “ I give my sincere thanks to Katł’odeeche First Nation for hosting this important Assembly. We show appreciation to the Chief and Council, community staff, volunteers, Elders, drummer, youth, delegates, invited guests, and all those who contributed to the success of the gathering. Special thanks are offered to Dene Nation staff for their planning, coordination, and dedicated service.”

The 56th Dene National Assembly reflects the strength of Dene collective leadership. The Dene Nation will continue working with communities, governments, and partners to advance Dene rights, strengthen governance, and support priorities identified by Dene people.

We invite you all to join us in 2027 in Fort McPherson for the 2027 Dene National Assembly.

Mahsi

George Mackenzie,
Dene National Chief, Regional Chief AFN-NT Region

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For more information, please contact:
Leanne Goose
Email: [email protected] Phone: 587-986-6215

10/01/2026

We are broadcasting live at the 56th Dene National A7G - Assembly of Seven Generations:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/01/2026

Fireworks about to begin here in Katlodeeche in honour of National Truth and Reconciliation day.