Northwest Territories Cultural Groups

First Nations
We speak “welcome” in no fewer than 11 official languages. Roughly half our 43,000 residents are First Nations, Inuvialuit, or Gwich’in. From North to South, we are the Inuvialuit, the Gwich’in, the Sahtu Dene and Metis, the Dehcho people, the Tłįchǫ and the Akaitcho. Our languages, traditions and cultures are strong, and told in stories, songs and drumming.

Inuit
Inuit are known as Inuvialuit in the Northwest Territories. The traditional culture is based on the Beaufort sea, hunting and fishing the shore, the islands and the sea ice. Inuvialuit speak three dialects, Siglit, Uummarmiut, and Kangiryuarmiut, languages of the Mackenzie Delta and Arctic coast. Traditional drumming and singing are attractions for national audiences.

Métis
Métis traditions are strong in the Northwest Territories. Proud descendants of the Dene and northern guides, Métis of the Sahtu, Tłįchǫ, Dehcho and Akaitcho regions maintain connections to the land. Their fiddle music, traditional dancing, clothing and foods are distinctive. Dog teams, dog sledding and dog racing are still popular activities in many communities.