SSDEC publishes Our Northern Rivers in three languages
Children’s book a tribute to the Dene Laws and the natural world of the Northwest Territories
FORT SMITH, NT – The South Slave Divisional Education Council is excited to announce the release of Our Northern Rivers by Denise Broomfield.
The latest children’s book from the SSDEC follows the author on a canoe trip as she ponders the values instilled by the traditions and knowledge of the North. The morals of the Dene Laws are presented through interactions between the main character and several Northern animals as she paddles the Northwest Territories’ rivers.
The story, which won the SSDEC’s 3rd Annual Children’s Storybook Contest, was written by Denise Broomfield and features colourful imagery of many of the animals native to the Northwest Territories.
The story is available as dual-language books with text in English alongside Chipewyan (“T” Dialect Dëne Dédlıné Yatıé), South Slavey (Dene Yatıé), and Cree (nēhiyawēwin). The print book will also be reformatted as an ebook and made available on the SSDEC’s First Nations Storybook app, which is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
“The morals and lessons of the Dene Laws found in Our Northern Rivers complement the values we take to heart at the South Slave Divisional Education Council,” says Dr. Curtis Brown, Superintendent, South Slave Divisional Education Council. “The story’s respect for nature and the traditions of the North make it a fine addition to our growing library of more than 300 Indigenous language books.”
Our Northern Rivers is now available for sale from the South Slave Divisional Education Council regional office in Fort Smith, NT. Orders can be made by contacting Chris Talbot, Public Affairs Coordinator, by email at ctalbot@ssdec.nt.ca. The book is priced at $10 each plus shipping costs. Wholesale rates are also available to book resellers.
