“Education is very important. I believe that,” Mackenzie says. “I’d tell the younger people growing up to go to school. You must find yourself first. Only then can you move forward with confidence. But never forget your family. Stay close to your family because they love you.”
Many ethnic groups all over the world are proud or their own languages and cultures.
We are the Dene, we even look Dene, but if a Dene cannot speak in the Dene languages, it embarrasses us. It is not always their fault.
Although some of us may not live the lifestyle of our ancestors, it is important to maintain and value our Dene language because it is our Dene root.
I want the Dene to have good education, in both worlds. To live in two societies, we have to be able to separate the good from the bad. To understand how our ancestors lived and worked, their laws, their legends and most important, the language.
We were born and raised on this land and we have learned many valuable lessons from our ancestors. I believe in our Dene language.
