About the CDs

They Gave Me a Chance: Stories of fifty years with the Dene

With compelling sincerity, a master storyteller and historian chronicles lessons learned from living
among the peoples of the Dene Nation. Speaking always from the heart, he tells of traditional ways
and recent changes, of a lifetime fully lived.

“Rene Fumoleau offers his stories with gentle humour and a love for the north and its peoples. His
words are a gift.” Charles Arnold, Director, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife

Contents:

Disc 1: A Chance to Learn
Rene tells of arriving in a world where winter travel was by dog sled, summer travel by boat or canoe; where hunting and fishing were the means of survival; where distances were measured in pipes smoked; where wisdom was innate. He conjures moments of revelation—about caring and
forgiveness, knowledge and faith—offered to him by those he lived with day by day.

Disc 2: A Chance to Grow
The stories move towards more recent years and struggles for Native rights. Rene created vignettes
to explore political issues and explose the folies of contemporary life. The last pieces are
interspersed with drumming and singing recorded in Radeli Loe (Fort Good Hope) in 1957. The fact
that this music was made to comfort those transported to distant communities for health reasons
adds to its poignancy.