Description
Cathy Modeste-Short is Dene from Délįné on Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories. She worked as a School Community Counsellor in Délįné for nine years and was an Education Assistant at Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife for 17 years before she retired. Since her childhood, she has been involved in gathering and preparing plants for natural remedies. She watched her mom prepare natural remedies and help the people of her community of Délįné many times. That's who Cathy learned from; her mother was her teacher. Gathering and preparing traditional remedies is still one of her favourite interests and she enjoys sharing her knowledge.
Dechı̨tah Náıdı́: Medicine from the Land is a beautifully woven story of Dene traditional medicine and cultural heritage, written by Cathy Modeste-Short and illustrated by Tom Short. Inspired by Cathy’s mother, respected Dene Elder Mary Modeste (Tauye), this book shares the teachings of bush medicine and the healing knowledge passed down through generations.
Through Cathy’s heartfelt narrative and Tom’s vibrant illustrations, readers of all ages are invited to explore the wisdom of medicinal plants found on Dene land and learn about the practices that have supported Dene communities for centuries. Each page is a journey into the natural world, filled with stories of healing, resilience, and the enduring power of traditional knowledge. With a translation by Jane Modeste, Dechı̨tah Náıdı́ captures both the language and spirit of Dene culture, making it a meaningful resource for young readers, families, and anyone curious about the richness of Indigenous knowledge and the bond between people and land.