Nahanni: homeland
A Homeland for Future Generations
Since time immemorial the South Nahanni watershed has been an important cultural and natural area for Aboriginal peoples. The South Nahanni watershed falls within the traditional territories of two Dene First Nations. The Dehcho First Nations' traditional territory encompasses 80 percent of the watershed, while the upper 20 per cent lies in the traditional territory of the Sahtu. The Dehcho First Nations and Sahtu Dene and Metis have expressed a strong desire to protect the entire watershed of the South Nahanni River to protect the land and its people for all time.The Dehcho First Nations have passed leadership resolutions calling for protection of the entire South Nahanni watershed in order to protect the water, wildlife and cultural values of their homeland.
The Sahtu Dene and Metis have shown strong interest in protecting the headwaters of the Nahanni, which includes 20 percent of the land in the Nahanni watershed. The draft Sahtu Land Use Plan identifies the Nahanni Headwaters as a conservation area.
