The Chipewyan, meaning "people of the barrens" are a First Nations Dene ethnolinguistic people group (see Dene Nation) from what is now Western Canada. They presently reside in the region spanning the western Canadian Shield to the Northwest Territories and including some northern parts of the provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

They speak the Denesuline language. Denesuline is a cognate of the word dene, meaning "people". Speakers of the language speak different dialects but understand each other. Most Chipewyan people call themselves Dene to describe themselves and their language.

The Chipewyan were, and generally still are, animists. Their belief system allowed for easy integration with Christian contact. Therefore, most Chipewyan are now both Christian and animist.