[9] Explorer Samuel Hearne was the first European to encounter Dogrib-speaking people while crossing the lands north of Great Slave Lake in 1772.

Later, in 1789, trader Alexander Mackenzie traveled by canoe very close to their territory while trading with the Yellowknives, another First Nations peoples, along the north arm of the big lake.

[11] As the community grew alongside increased services such as a mission-run hospital and church, the government viewed the topography of Fort Rae as unsuitable for expansion.

In the 1950s there was concern about runoff from animal and human wastes contaminating sources of drinking water, and the government proposed constructing a new settlement on more favourable terrain.

The community became known as Edzo and was located on the west side of the Frank Channel opposite Fort Rae a 24 km (15 mi) drive away.

All men were Dogrib chiefs at important periods in their cultural history; Edzo signed the peace pact with the Yellowknives Dene in the 1820s, Jimmy Bruneau was a long-standing chief in the 20th century, and Monfwi signed Treaty 11 with the Canadian Government in 1921 and created the Tłı̨chǫ annual assembly in 1932.

Under the terms of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, most responsibilities of Dog Rib Rae have been transferred to the Behchokǫ̀ Community Government.

Three ice roads are available during winter to connect to Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì to the north and west.