■
“The trails that our ancestors walked on are still here, we just have to go”.
Welcome to Dene Way Adventures.
We offer land-based trips rooted in Łutsël K’é Dene knowledge and teachings, led by Herman Gahdële. Our trips invite guests into remote wilderness settings, travelling on the water or winter trails, working together, sharing stories, and enjoying the quiet and the laughter. We are based in Thaidene Nëné (the East Arm of Great Slave Lake) and also have trips departing from Yellowknife.
Whether you’re seeking a day on the lake, or a longer journey, we welcome you to connect and learn with us.
We offer a variety of trip options for you
Day Trips
Our day trips offer a relaxed and scenic way to spend time on Tu Nedhé (Great Slave Lake). Cruise by boat along the shoreline and nearby islands, take in expansive lake views, try your hand at fishing, and enjoy time on the water. The day includes a shoreline stop for a small fire, tea, and snacks, with plenty of time to relax, take photos, and enjoy being out there together. Along the way, Herman shares stories about life on the big lake.
Two Night Trips
Our two-night trips take place in the East Arm of Tu Nedhé (Great Slave Lake), surrounded by stunning cliffs and wide-open lake views. Guests travel by boat, enjoy world-class fishing, set up camp Dene-style, prepare meals and share laughs together, and keep an eye out for wildlife such as muskox.
With no amenities or cell service, this is a rare opportunity to slow down and spend meaningful time on the land with a Dene Knowledge Holder. Drawing on memories from every bay and trail, Herman shares stories from a lifetime in Thaidene Nëné.
Snowmobile Guiding, Community Workshops & Custom Trips
Herman also offers snowmobile guiding, community and school workshops, and custom trips. Workshops are land-based and include teachings on plant medicines, traditional fish net setting, and animal harvesting across the 12 Dene seasons. Workshops can take place at schools, community camps, or elsewhere, depending on your needs.
Custom boat and camping trips can be shaped around your interests, availability, and the season. If you have something in mind, let’s talk.
Day Trip: Private Boat Tour & Fresh Fish Lunch
Location: Yellowknife to Burnt Island or Łútsël K’é to Peterson’s Point
Dates: June - September (weather permitting)
Time: 5 or 8 hours
Difficulty level: Easy. Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces, step up/down 2 feet, tolerate mild boat rocking for 1-2 hours at a time.
Trip Highlights:
Private Boat Tour on Tu Nedhe (Great Slave Lake), with Dene protocol teachings
Dene teachings on animals, birds and navigation
Pike and Trout Fishing Lesson
Fresh Fish Lunch: learn how to cut, prepare and cook your own fish lunch
Fire-Building Lesson & Local Tea (weather permitting)
Two Night Trip: Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé) Adventure – Thaidene Nëné
Location:
Yellowknife or Łútsël K’é to Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé)
Dates: July - September (weather permitting)
Travel Time:
5-7 hours (Yellowknife departures)
2 hours (Łútsël K'é departures)
Difficulty level: Moderate. Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces, step up/down 2 feet, tolerate mild boat rocking, off-grid washroom, cooking and sleeping facilities.
Trip Highlights:
Boat Journey to Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé)
Dene Teachings & Stories and laughs!
Traditional Dene Camp Setup
Two Nights Camping on the Land
Fishing, Food & Fire-Building
Teachings on Navigation, Animals & the Land
Animal viewing: Muskox, Eagles, Bears, Moose, Porcupine and more
Snowmobile Guiding, Community Workshops & Custom Trips
Snowmobile Guiding
Travel safely and confidently through Thaidene Nëné in winter. Herman offers snowmobile guiding services for individuals and small groups looking to journey across Łutsël K’é Dene homelands — including routes from Yellowknife to Łutsël K’é, Edacho Kué (Artillery Lake), and other traditional travel corridors.
Community & School Workshops
Herman is passionate about sharing his knowledge with his community. He also offers customized workshops for school groups.
Custom Trips
Herman has a story for every bay and corner of the East Arm—the trip possibilities are endless. Reach out to talk about your dream experience in Thaidene Nëné.
■
YOUR GUIDE
Herman Gahdële
■
Herman was raised on the land by his grandparents, Jean-Batiste (JB) and LeMaree (Marie) Catholique. His family traveled ancestral trails in Thaidene Nëné following the caribou, eating whitefish, trapping white fox, and traveling by dog team under the moonlight.
With his family, Herman lived life the Dene way, with the animals, land, water, spiritual sites and shared oral histories.
Herman is a well-known hunter with in-depth knowledge of the land, harvesting, history and legends. He is passionate about passing on knowledge about how his people have always lived and travelled across Łútsël K'é Dene homelands.
