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Thaidene Nëné

About Thaıdene Nëné

Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area (Thaıdene Nëné) is located within the territories of Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Deninu Kųę́ First Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Additionally, Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè, the traditional use area of the Tłı̨chǫ, overlaps a portion of Thaıdene Nëné’s protected area boundary and provides for certain rights under the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, such as harvesting rights. The North Slave Métis Alliance also has been recognized in court as having a prima facie right to harvest caribou in Thaıdene Nëné.

Thaıdene Nëné, which means “Land of the Ancestors,” is more than 26,000 square kilometres in size and has sustained the Indigenous peoples of the area from time immemorial. Thaıdene Nëné is a largely pristine and healthy landscape because of the countless generations who have cared for the land and water to protect the biodiversity, ecological integrity and cultural continuity of the area. Thaıdene Nëné is a land of soaring cliffs, stunning waterfalls, and giant eskers. The deepest water in North America is in Ɂıdor Bekue Chëlé Tł’ázı̨ (Christie Bay) in Tu Nedhé (Great Slave Lake). Tu Nedhé is surrounded by boreal forest, which transitions to subarctic forest and eventually to tundra as you move northeast. Across these varied landscapes there are numerous lakes, rivers and bogs.

Thaıdene Nëné was established using Łutsël K’é Dene law, the Thaıdene Nëné agreements, and various pieces of federal and territorial legislation. The Indigenous Protected Area encompasses all of Thaıdene Nëné, within which are a Territorial Protected Area, a territorial Wildlife Conservation Area and a National Park Reserve.

Thaıdene Nëné Territorial Protected Area (approximately 9,105 square kilometres) is protected through the Northwest Territories’ Protected Areas Act.

Thaıdene Nëné Wildlife Conservation Area (approximately 3,120 square kilometres) is designated under the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act. The area is currently protected from development through a Land Withdrawal Order under the Northwest Territories Lands Act.

Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve (approximately 14,070 square kilometres) is protected through the Canada National Parks Act.

Making operational decisions about and taking care of Thaıdene Nëné is the shared responsibility of Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı (the operational management board), Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Parks Canada, and the Government of the Northwest Territories. Deninu Kųę́ First Nation and Yellowknives Dene First Nation, through their Thaıdene Nëné agreements and their participation on the Thaıdene Nëné Regional Management Board, also play a key role in providing guidance for stewardship of Thaıdene Nëné.