South Slave Region
All seven communities in this southern region are accessible by road, making them the easiest places to visit in the territory. Picturesque beauty can be found along side the highway – whether it is the waterfalls of Twin Falls Territorial Park, watching bison graze alongside the road, or a stop at the northern store for local arts and fine crafts.
Tradition reigns strong with the Akaitcho First Nations in the friendly community of Fort Resolution. There is also a strong presence of Métis peoples in this region, whose ancestors came north most likely as fur traders in the 1800s. They brought with them their own traditions and styles of weaving, sewing and beading. Arts and fine crafts made by Dene artists typically include intricate beadwork and tufting on tanned hide footwear, gloves and bags. There are well known storytellers who give cultural tours around the Twin Falls sacred area and share legends of the land and its cultural history.
The larger communities of Fort Smith and Hay River have a vibrant arts scene. Multicultural and eclectic, artists are encouraged to explore and express themselves through photography, film, music and performance arts. Contemporary artists make stain glass, jewelry and paint to capture the beautiful landscape of this region.
Fort Providence artists sew unique and practical fashion accessories under the label Dene Fur Clouds. Traditionally produced by finger knitting, the fabric is created from the inter-looping of strands of beaver or rabbit fur. Designs include hats, scarves, mittens, blankets and jackets and are amazingly warm and soft.
Use our online tool to learn Where to Buy NWT Art in the South Slave Region.
Or download printable, translated documents (PDFs):
Events
Hay River
March
Date: March 29th, 2023
Community: Hay River
Location: Riverview Cineplex
It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Nadia, a Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist, create the award-winning duo: Burnstick. Two performers whose voices and languages blend together with ease, Burnstick pushes the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies, while allowing the beauty of simple melodies to shine through. Between their witty banter and delightful stories, it is hard to deny the magic...
Fort Smith
March
Date: March 30th, 2023
Community: Fort Smith
Location: Salt River First Nations Centre
It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Nadia, a Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist, create the award-winning duo: Burnstick. Two performers whose voices and languages blend together with ease, Burnstick pushes the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies, while allowing the beauty of simple melodies to shine through. Between their witty banter and delightful stories, it is hard to deny the magic...