Located at the eastern end of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, the proposed Thaidene Nëné national park reserve is part of a larger group of proposed protected areas around the East Arm and Artillery Lake regions.
Thaidene Nëné means “Land of the Ancestors” in the Chipewyan language. A culturally rich area, it includes the traditional and present-day hunting, fishing, gathering and spiritual areas used by Aboriginal peoples. The Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation consider Thaidene Nëné to be the “heart of the homeland” as well as a sacred place. The Northwest Territory Métis Nation also has significant cultural ties to the area.
The proposed Thaidene Nëné national park reserve, with its dramatic transition from the boreal forest of the Taiga Shield to above tree-line in the southern Arctic tundra, is an outstanding example of the Northwestern Boreal Uplands Natural Region of the national park system. Fort Reliance National Historic Site / Old Fort Reliance Territorial Historic Site and the traditional travel route between Great Slave Lake and Artillery Lake known as Pike’s Portage are also within the proposed national park reserve.
The proposed Thaidene Nëné national park reserve’s spectacular wilderness characteristics attract many visitors and local residents each year for experiences such as:
- boating, camping, fishing, berry picking and hiking in “the land of giants”;
- exploring Fort Reliance National Historic Site / Old Fort Reliance Territorial Historic Site at the mouth of the Lockhart River;
- hiking up to Tyrell Falls and learning about the traditional village site known as Kaché through Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation’s Ni hat’ni Dene Watchers of the Land Program;
- boating through The Gap into Wildbread Bay; and
- fishing in Christie Bay, the deepest fresh water body in North America, home of huge lake trout.
The proposed Thaidene Nëné national park reserve will contribute to Parks Canada’s goal of representing each of the 39 distinct, terrestrial natural regions within its National Parks System.
Following on a 1970 land withdrawal of approximately 7,340km2, a further 26,350km2 was withdrawn bringing the total study area to 33,690km2. After the passage of the Northwest Territories Devolution Act, the lands of the Thaidene Nëné area came under the administration and control of the Government of the Northwest Territories. In 2014, the territorial government renewed the land withdrawal until March 31, 2016.
Understanding stakeholder interests in the Thaidene Nëné area is an essential component of the national park establishment process. Parks Canada will undertake consultations with Aboriginal groups and communities as well at third-party interests, stakeholders and the public during the summer and fall of 2015.
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