Stewardship and management

In the heart of the headwaters of Tehjeh Deé (South Nahanni River) Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve is a place where culture and nature have been intertwined since time immemorial. This is the ancestral homeland of the Shúhtaot’ine (Mountain Dene), a place where you can let local guides tune your ears to the music that these mountains keep. Immerse yourself in Sahtu Dene and Métis culture, in town or in the park, learn traditions which honour the land. Nááts’įhch’oh is a mountain with díígóɂo (prehistoric power), which has made the Shúhtaot’ine strong and resilient. This mountain is so culturally important that it lends it name to the national park reserve.

The journey to the park is unforgettable. As you fly over jagged peaks, you get a bird’s eye view of your upcoming adventure. The peace and calmness are palpable once the plane is gone. Time seems to stand still as you are immersed in true solitude. You are in a land where mountains ring the lakes, and people have travelled by foot, dog team and moose skin boats. Embrace the practices of the land, and start your journey by paying the land and water with a small pinch of tea or tobacco. Hot springs are culturally renowned for their healing properties, visitors who follow the protocols may relax in the waters and soak in the scenery. As you canoe the wild headwaters of Tehjeh Deé, splash through wave trains, navigate tricky currents and pick your line through numerous rock gardens. In calmer sections, take in the scenery and thrill at the sight of caribou, wolf and moose as you paddle by. Your journey ties into ancient routes. Many visitors fall in love with the mountains, the journey, the people and land, choosing to come back again and again.