Learn More About Thaidene Nëné

What is Thaidene Nëné?

Thaidene Nëné means “Land of the Ancestors” in Dënesųłiné Yati (language). It is our homeland — where the boreal forest meets the tundra. Where the caribou travel, and where we follow-up them to this day. The protected area is more than 26,000 km². It includes National Park Reserve, Territorial Protected Area, and Indigenous Protected Area designations.This land is full of life — islands, cliffs, rivers, tundra. A place of deep beauty that we have called home since the beginning.

Our People & History — Living Connection to the Land

Our Elders and leaders worked for years to protect this land for the Dene way of life. In the 1970s, my father, Pierre Catholique, directed early park conversations in a good way, preventing colonial governments from taking advantage of the land and people. Later, in 2019, Thaidene Nëné became a protected area through an agreement led by Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation. Today, this land is protected by our relationships and responsibilities so future generations can continue to live well here.

Why It Matters

This land feeds us — caribou, muskox, moose, fish, berries, medicines. This land teaches us — patience, weather, animals, respect. This land is home — to our ancestors and to us today.When you travel with us, you learn from a place that has been home to Dene people forever.

Visiting Thaidene Nëné

There are no roads into Thaidene Nëné. We travel by boat in summer and plane or snowmobile in winter. Floatplane access is possible in warmer seasons. Weather can change fast, and distances are long. Visitors must come prepared. Listen to locals and travel safely.

Respecting the Land

Thaidene Nëné has cultural protocols for coming to, and travelling on, our land in a good way.

Please review the Code of Conduct before your trip. By travelling with us, you agree to honour these teachings.

Thaidene Nëné Code of Conduct:

• Travel with humility and respect for the land and water by being mindful of your behaviour, your attitude, and what you say when you are on the land and water.

• Pay the land and water with something valuable like tobacco, spruce boughs, tea, or sugar as a sign of respect.

• Respect heritage and spiritual sites by not disturbing or taking anything from them.

• Safely dispose of or remove anything you brought.

• Respect the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples to hunt, trap, and gather within Thaidene Nëné.
  
  Herman will talk about these protocols and teachings while you are on the land. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask before or during your trip.