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Sacred Dene tree toppled during windstorm

NNSL Media
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A symbolic Dene tree dedicated to the Dene legend of Yamozha was ripped from its base during a windstorm on Aug. 10.

According to environment Canada wind gusts reached up to 70 k.m. an hour during the storm.

The force was enough to sever the tree at its base. The sacred tree now lays horizontal with blue ribbons and rosaries hanging from the bark.

The tree, dedicated to the legend of Yamozha and the giant beavers, is known to the community as a praying spot for elders.

cigarettes, rosaries and sugar packets are stuffed in the base of the Yamozha tree which was toppled during a wind-storm on Friday.
Michael Hugall/ NNSL photo.

"Some say it's meant to bring people good luck," said Pauline King, who stopped along the Ingraham Trail on Saturday to see the aftermath. "Elders come to the spot and pray. They offer berries, sugar, rosaries and cigarettes."

King said to her knowledge the tree has been around for a "long" time.

It's memory will stay with the Denedeh people, King added.

Members of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Pauline King, left and Brenda Michel stopped by the Yamozha tree on Saturday to witness the damaged caused by a windstorm on Aug. 10.

 

Rosaries still dangle from the Yamozha tree. The site is known as a praying spot for elders.
Michael Hugall/ NNSL photo.