Shìłdii

This name refers to a rock formation that sits on top of a hill overlooking the Peel River, upriver from Fort McPherson. It is one of the most sacred places in the Teetl’it Gwich’in traditional land use area and people show their respect by being quiet and not disturbing anything. As Mrs. Sarah Simon said, “People always look…after that place. They don’t want anything to happen to that place.” The legend associated with this place explains that a young girl broke the rules of her puberty training and caused her three brothers and their dog to turn into stone pillars. Today, only one of the large stone pillars (one of the brothers) and a small one (the dog) still stand. Many people are said to have died when the other pillars fell down.