Walking the Land, Feeding the Fire: Knowledge and Stewardship Among the Tlicho Dene

Glossary of Tłıchǫ Terms and Place-Names

207 Glossary of Tłı ̨chǫ Terms and Place-Names An approximation of the word Tłı ̨chǫ in English orthography would be Klinchon. All place-names and terms listed here follow the pronunciation as directed by the Tłı ̨chǫ Regional Elders Committee. Unless otherwise stated, the place-names are listed in Dogrib Treaty 11 Council 2002, distributed by the West Kitikmeot Slave Study Society; and other terms are listed in the Tłı ̨chǫ dictionary found on the Tłı ̨chǫ Web site at http://www.tlicho.ling.uvic.ca. Ɂedaàtsotì “Lake of Big Crossing.” An important caribou crossing that is known in English as “Artillery Lake.” Ɂedèezhìì “Horn Mountain.” Officially known as “Horn Plateau”; Slavey name is “Edéhzhíe.” As of March 2006, a candidate as a protected area under the NWT Protected Area Strategy; in that literature, referred to under Slavey name. Ɂek’aàwıdeè An important male “trading boss” who represented trappers of several local bands within his own region in the late nineteenth century. He was given the authority to trade because his knowledge of the trading system and of Kweèt’ı̨į̀was seen to be extensive. Mǫwhì was being trained to be a k’aàwı by his uncle, the renowned Ɂek’aàwıdeè. Ɂek’adıì “Island of Ɂek’atì.” An important caribou water crossing, which is now the location of a pit mine belonging to Diavik Diamond Mines, Inc. Ɂek’atì “Fat Lake.” Officially known as “Lac de Gras.” 208 · Glossary Ɂek’atìtata Tata is a large grassy area found in the tundra. It is usually surrounded by two or more lakes and is a favored spot for caribou. Area south of Ɂek’atì. Ɂewaànıt’ııtì “‘Lake of a Stretch of Sand.” Officially known as “Courageous Lake.” Ɂezǫdzìtì “Spirit Lake.” Officially known as “Rivière Grandin.” Ɂı̨daàtı̨lı “Up Ahead Trail.” Traditionally an important travel route between Sahtì and Tıdeè because all trails are connected to it. Ɂı̨hdaak’ètì “Jackfish Lake.” Officially known as “Marian Lake.” ɂı̨k’ǫǫ̀ Often referred to as “medicine power” in the literature and during official translating events; however, when middle-aged Tłı̨chǫ are speaking English, they often use the term intelligence. Ɂı̨ts’èetì “Moose Lake.” Officially known as “Hottah Lake.” Ɂǫhtsį̀k’e “On Packsack.” Known always to have fish and caribou in the area. Located at the headwaters of the Deèzàatìdeè (Coppermine River). Beɂaıtì Officially known as “Winter Lake.” Behchokǫ̀ “Place of Mbehcho.” Officially changed from “Rae-Edzo” on 4 August 2005. dè Concept includes everything that is associated with “land, ground, dirt, earth” and with whom Tłı̨chǫ have a relationship that is responsive to their attention, action, and behavior. Deèzàatì Officially known as “Point Lake.” Deèzàatìdeè Officially known as “Coppermine River.” dǫ Term is usually translated as “person, human, man, people.” Gamètì “Gamè’s Lake.” Officially changed from “Rae Lakes” on 4 August 2005. Northwest Territories Official Community Names (2006) translates the name as “rabbit-net lake,” but elders explain “Gamè” as a person’s name. The list is available at http://pwnhc.learnnet.nt.ca/ programs/downloads/OfficialCommunityNames.pdf. Gots’ǫkàtì “Cloudberry Lake.” Officially known as “Mesa Lake”; the place where Edzo and Akaitcho made peace in the early 1800s. Hàèlı̨ı̨ “Outflow.” Mouth of the Marian River. An old village is located here, where families have cabins. hozìi Translated as “barren ground or tundra,” but the concept is more closely linked to “beneath winter.” K’ààtì “Wait! Lake.” Officially known as “Indin Lake.” k’aàwı A Tłı̨chǫ trading boss. Defined in Tłı ̨chǫ Yatıì Enı ̨htł’e: A Dogrib Dictionary (Dogrib Divisional Board of Education 1996) as “store clerk, Glossary · 209 middleman between trader and people.” It has also come to mean “king in cards” and “wealthy person.” k’àowo A boss, leader, ruler, foreman. There currently are community, hunting, camp, and hunting k’àowo as well as highway-construction k’àowo and forestry k’àowo. The Tłı̨chǫ dictionary indicates that the term is also used when referring to the Lord. k’àowodeè A leader whose following is larger than a local band and whose knowledge is extensive. Mǫwhì, who signed Treaty 11, is referred to as a k’àowodeè. Refers to an important or great leader who is both knowledgeable and...