Chosen Ones? A reflection on faith in light of traditional Dene and Catholic teaching

By Mandy Bayha, Deline Spiritual Gathering participant

[Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, NWT] – I recently attended a presentation on ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ during our community’s annual Spiritual Gathering.

The presentation was hosted by our diocese’s former Bishop Mark Hagemoen along with three young men, Huy Le, Ian Lam, and Jean Paul Lefebvre who were accompanying the bishop. Also participating was Kevin Philip from “Boats on Fire Ministries”, Regina.

The gathering this year was focused on reaching our young people, so I think it was wise to have these three courageous young men presenting to their peers on such challenging and human struggles. Each of the young men, and the not-so-young Bishop Mark, took turns to present on 1-2 of the deadly sins and then shared their corresponding virtue.

Sharing, prayer, reflection, and discussion – part of the Deline Spiritual Gathering this year was a presentation on “The Deadly Sins and the Good Ways of the Virtues” by a team of young adults led by Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Submitted photo)

Part way through listening to their presentation, I was impressed by the thoughtful connections to their own personal lives but began to recognize something extraordinary.

The deadly sins’ corresponding virtues aligned almost perfectly with our own Dene Laws!

I always get excited where I see connections between my own culture and the wisdom of our Catholic faith. I suppose it’s more evidence of how heaven took a particular and direct interest in our people and community as is prevalent in the history and stories of our Four Prophets…but that’s another story.

Mandy Bayha (second from left) and other young people sharing during the Spiritual Gathering’s time of discussion, community, learning, reflection, and prayer. (Submitted photo)

Our Sahtúgot’ı̨nę (person/people of Great Bear Lake) Traditional Knowledge, ways of knowing and being, has been passed on from generation to generation via oral history since the beginning of time.

It has only been very recently (the 1980s) that our knowledge and stories were written…. well, by our own people anyway. The first person to ever have written our stories from our perspective was a Sahtúgot’ı̨nę man called George Blondin. He’s who made our Dene Laws somewhat famous in the North. In doing this, he broke protocol for the first time in our history, but also broke trail.

We Dene have many laws, protocols, and teachings that are unwritten knowings. George only wrote nine and they are as follows:

Love each other as much as possible;
Share what you have;
Help each other;
Be respectful of Elders and everything around you;
Be polite and do not argue with others;
Young girls and boys should behave respectfully;
Sleep at night and work during the day;
Be as happy as possible at all times; and
Pass on the teachings.

(Submitted photo)

So, how are the Seven Deadly Sins and the corresponding Seven Virtues …and our Dene Laws connected? Now, here is where things get exciting! The Dene Laws (as well as other protocols) focus on the virtue rather than the sin. Let’s compare them:

Humility (Pride)

One of the most defining and important traits we learn as Dene is humility. It is not directly written in our laws, but humility is foundational in the formation of our worldview from an early age. It is taught to us as a powerful state of being which has real spiritual power.

Charity (Greed)

Charity touches on a few of the Dene Laws, which is to share what you have, to help others, and to love others.

This is an important one especially to our survival as it relates to harvesting. Because all things harvested from our environment, including the animals we eat, are seen as gifts from God, it is important that young harvesters share their harvest with those in the community especially the Elders, widows, and those who do not have the means to harvest themselves.

There is an understanding that spiritually, if you follow this law, God will bless you even more than what you give away as you are demonstrating good use of the gifts he bestows. All what God provides is to be used in service of others, including your own gifts.

Chastity (Lust)

The Dene Law of young boys and girls behaving respectfully speaks to chastity but in a broader sense. It is not so much about restraining as it is in understanding the roles of each and how each role is sacred.

In our culture, historically, young girls and boys went through a rite of passage into womanhood and manhood with both roles being very significant in the survival of not only their families but to the community as well. There are sacred responsibilities and gifts associated with both that dictate how each behaves in society, but also with the land, environment, and animals.

It is in understanding each of these roles that instill a great respect of the other…which is the foundation of Chastity, respecting self and respecting others.

Kindness (Envy)

There are a few laws but also protocols that speak to the virtue of kindness. In childhood, like humility, having a good and kind heart to others was another Dene trait that was desired.

It was not just having a kind heart but having a kind heart equally to every person you encounter treating no one with more favour than another.

The Dene Laws of helping one another, being respectful of Elders and everything around you, and being happy at all times helps to broaden the meaning behind what it means to be kind and how other virtues and characteristics strengthens this worldview.

Temperance (Gluttony)

There is a common saying in our culture that teaches us about temperance specifically. They say, “do not take more than your allotment.” We have an understanding that God allots every person with their share of his gifts in this life and that it is not proper to take more than you need to survive.

This is a very spiritual-based protocol and is often present in harvesting, but of course it can also be applied broadly. For example, my grandfather always reminded to never eat past my stomach. It was not healthy for my physical body, but it also reminded me to acknowledge God from whom all things come. We do not worry about tomorrow, for God provides for us.

Temperance is learned through focus on gratitude and faith in God.

Patience (Wrath)

Patience is a virtue that touches on most of the laws and many protocols. How it is taught in our culture is radical love through understanding ourselves as part of a whole and not so much as individual.

This protects us from the ego which leads us into wrath. We learn to be in service to the greater good and understand that what is for the greater good also serves us in return. Harming others is like harming our own selves. This is counter-intuitive to survival as humans.

Patience is also important in learning new skills, passing on teachings, and to see the world outside of our own selves. In order to do things well and respectfully, we must develop patience into our character.

Diligence (Sloth)

Diligence or Discipline is a very important protocol. It is said that laziness can be the difference between life and death, between living well and bringing upon your own suffering.

It is also important in our relationship with land and environment to have a strong discipline as to ensure remaining in a respectful and balanced relationship with all things and people. The Law of sleeping at night and working in the day highlights this balance.

The Land provides all things to live well. You must have more than just the knowledge and skills to survive, you must have discipline and temperance to live well not only for yourself but others who may depend on your ability to survive.

Deline Spiritual Gathering: connections between Dene and Catholic teachings and faith. (Submitted photo)

Context

It is important to understand the history and context of the Sahtúgot’ı̨nę to really appreciate where our laws, protocols, and teachings come from. Briefly, the Sahtúgot’ı̨nę thrived for hundreds of thousands of years in one of the harshest climates on Earth. Our culture (and all that comes with it) is the reason we have been so successful in our survival.

We Sahtúgot’ı̨nę are a people who not only understood what it is to be true human beings, but who have an intimate knowing of God and all his creations. This is why I believe that we are chosen by heaven in a special way.

I don’t need anyone else to believe this, but simply, I appreciate the many points of connection between the ancient culture that gifted us Jesus and our ancient culture who has been living His messages in a seemingly forgotten part of the world…but isn’t that God’s way? To choose the most unlikely people and improbable circumstances to reveal His Glory?

Learn more about the Deline prophets at: on the Catholic Missions in Canada website – LINK.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and young adults travel north for mission and outreach – ARTICLE
Reflection by seminarian Huy Le about summer mission experience in Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese – ARTICLE

Celebration of Mass on the shores of Great Bear Lake during the annual Spiritual Gathering. (Submitted photo)

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