“The Place Where the Rivers Come Together”
Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́, meaning “the place where the rivers come together,” is a vibrant village located in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories, situated on an island where the mighty Dehcho (Mackenzie River) meets the Nácháh Dehé (Liard River). This confluence has long been a central gathering place for Dene people and remains the heart of the Dehcho.
Pre-Contact History
Archaeological evidence shows that the Dehcho region has been inhabited for over 5,000 years, with continuous use and occupation by Dene people since time immemorial. Oral traditions speak of a deep and enduring connection to this land.
For generations, the Dehcho Dene lived according to seasonal cycles—harvesting fish, moose, caribou, small game, and berries. In winter, families lived in small camps of 10–30 people. In summer, they would reunite at the shores of the Dehcho River, forming regional gatherings of up to 200 people to trade, celebrate, and renew connections.
This tradition continues today through the Spring Gathering, an annual celebration hosted by Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation that honours the cultural strength, unity, and resilience of the Dehcho Dene.
Initial Contact and Colonial Expansion
European contact began in 1789 with Alexander Mackenzie’s expedition through the region. In 1803, a trading post called Fort of the Forks was established. The Hudson’s Bay Company took over operations and renamed it Fort Simpson in honour of George Simpson, Governor of Rupert’s Land.
By 1821, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ became a major trading post and transportation hub for the Mackenzie River District. Anglican and Roman Catholic missions arrived in 1858, marking the beginning of long-standing colonial influences in the community.
Treaty History
In 1899, the Dene, Cree, Denesuline, Tlicho and Yellowknives Dene negotiated the first of the northern treaties, Treaty 8. The Dene in Alberta, BC and some parts of the Northwest Territories were incorporated into Treaty 8 between 1899 and 1911, those in the rest of the NWT into Treaty 11 in 1921-22. July 11, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the treaty signing by some in Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson); who signed and what they were signing about still remains highly disputed to this day.
Between contact and the end of the Second World War, the Dene still lived for most of the year in small, kin-based communities, harvested traditional foods, spoke their own languages and raised children in the manner of their parents, despite the influx of many non-Dene.
Post-War Changes and Challenges
Following the Second World War, significant changes unfolded. The collapse of the fur trade, combined with new government programs and policies, led to the forced relocation of many Dene families into settlements. Children were sent to residential schools, and traditional ways of life were disrupted.
These policies had lasting impacts—breaking up families, eroding languages, and causing intergenerational trauma that the community continues to address and heal from today.
Today: Cultural and Political Heart of the Dehcho
Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ is now the cultural and political capital of the Dehcho Region, with a population of approximately 1,300. It is home to the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Dehcho First Nations and Fort Simpson Metis and numerous regional organizations.
Traditional harvesting—fishing, hunting, and gathering—remains a vital part of life, alongside modern employment, governance, and cultural revival efforts. The spirit of the Dehcho Dene remains strong, rooted in the land, the rivers, and the stories that have always guided the people of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́.