Dreamers & The Land | DREAMERS
Adíshtl'íshe
Born circa 1870. Died in the 1919 Spanish Flu epidemic.
The name Adíshtl'íshe is interpreted by our elders to mean "Birchbark," "Paper" and "Newspaper." Adíshtl'íshe was called this because he delivered messages from our people in Heaven to our people on earth through the songs he dreamed.
According to Johnny Chipesia, Adíshtl'íshe also delivered mail to the Hudson's Bay Post at Fort St. John. His name and its English translation, "Newspaper," are recorded in the 1899 Northwest Mounted Police census.
Adíshtl'íshe signed Treaty No. 8 in 1900 at Fort St. John. He was often mentioned in the Hudson's Bay Company records. Many of our people can trace their ancestry back to Adíshtl'íshe.
Tommy Attachie tells the story of Adíshtl'íshe's death at Ts̱azuulh Saahgáe (Big Camp) in 1919. His grave is still located there. Through our Lands' Monitoring Program, we are protecting it from disturbance by the oil and gas industry.
Adíshtl'íshe's songs are a source of strength for us today. We sing them often at our Dreamers' Dances and gatherings. Adíshtl'íshe's song to bring on good weather is a very important and powerful song; we use it during hard times to make things better.
Stories
Tommy Attachie, telling about the death of the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at Ts̱azuulh Saahgáe (Big Camp) in 1919, 2005.
Tommy Attachie talks about the big Dane-zaa camp at Ts̱azuulh Saahgáe. He also tells about the death of the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at Ts̱azuulh Saahgáe in 1919. Ts̱azuulh Saahgáe (Big Camp), 2005.
Songs
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, 1979.
Charlie Dominic sings a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe. Doig River, 1979. Tommy Attachie has explained (2006) that this is an important and powerful song for Dane-zaa. It is often used during cold times to bring warm weather.
Billy Makadahay singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at the memorial for Anno Davis. Doig River, 1969.
Billy Makadahay singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at the memorial for Anno Davis. Doig River, 1969. Tommy Attachie has explained (2006) that this is an important and powerful song for Dane-zaa. It is often used during cold times to bring warm weather. In this case it was used during a memorial to assist the deceased's (Anno Davis's) journey along the trail to Heaven.
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, 1979.
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, Doig River, 1979.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, Doig River, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers sing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe and talk about the Dreamer. Recorded at the annual Doig River Dreamers' Dance, July, 2004.