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Please be advised that a temporary area closure (see map below) for Desnéthcheé has been issued by the Superintendent for the Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve, which is within the Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area. Entry to Desnéthcheé (the spiritual gathering site) and surrounding area from August 5 to 19, 2026, is prohibited except for members of the Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation and their invited guests. This closure does not apply to Indigenous peoples engaged in activities protected by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. For more information, please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/thaidene-nene/security-safety/bulletins/266ac6d1-f0dc-41ac-8ea5-935f4c9deb06  First Relationship Plan for Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area Approved by Operational Parties6/12/2026
 Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá (Watching Over Thaıdene Nëné) has been tabled in the House of Commons. This was the final step in the approval process for the first relationship (management) plan for Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area; the plan had previously been signed by all of the operational parties – Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Parks Canada – also known as the partners. Representatives from the operational parties and dignitaries gathered in Łutsël K’é on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to celebrate the completion of this landmark plan, which sets a new standard for collaborative stewardship and governance. Protected areas, such as Thaıdene Nëné, are often guided by management plans. These plans set out a long-term vision and objectives and provide strategic direction. However, the term “management” implies control and ownership over the land, as well as a level of separation between land and people that does not exist within Indigenous worldviews. Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı (“the people that speak for Thaıdene Nëné”; the protected area’s operational management board) and the partners have chosen to name this a relationship plan to highlight the importance of the relationships between the Indigenous Peoples of the Area, the land, water, and wildlife, and also the relationships that have formed and are being built between the partners and with signatory Indigenous governments. Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá is built on the foundation of nuwé ch’anıe – the sacred relationship between people and land – that has protected Thaıdene Nëné for millennia. It provides direction on how we will continue to care for Thaıdene Nëné for generations to come. This first plan for Thaıdene Nëné outlines the following goals:
Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area 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 in the Northwest Territories, Canada. These nations are signatories to Thaıdene Nëné Agreements. The North Slave Métis Alliance has Aboriginal rights as affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. 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. Making operational decisions about and taking care of Thaıdene Nëné is the shared responsibility of the partners. Deninu Kųę́ First Nation and Yellowknives Dene First Nation, through their Thaıdene Nëné Agreements, also play a key role in providing guidance for the care of Thaıdene Nëné. Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı engaged Indigenous knowledge holders, community members, and key partners to develop the concept for the plan, identify broad goals, and confirm the vision. Once the draft plan was completed, Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı and the partners sought input on the draft to ensure Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, residents of the Northwest Territories, stakeholders, and Canadians had an opportunity to provide feedback on the future direction of Thaıdene Nëné. Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá provides a strong and solid foundation for yúnethé xá (for the future) of Thaıdene Nëné and those that will watch over it. It ensures the ecological integrity and cultural continuity of Thaıdene Nëné remain strong, while continuing to welcome visitors to this spectacular place. To learn more about Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area, please visit www.landoftheancestors.ca or https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/thaidene-nene. Quotes “Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá is a beautiful expression of how the Indigenous peoples of this area love the land and the commitments we will all take into the future to protect Thaıdene Nëné. Rooting Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá in relationship is essential for yúnethé xá (for the future) – for ensuring healthy land, water, and wildlife now and for future generations, who will continue to practice their nuwé ch’anıe to keep our culture, language and traditions alive (nuwé ch’anıe bet’aı́t’ı̨ xá). If we can sustain healthy relationships, Thaıdene Nëné will thrive.” Adeline Jonasson Chair, Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı "Thaıdene Nëné means the Land of the Ancestors in our language, Dënesųłıné yatı. Our ancestors took care of Thaıdene Nëné, so that future generations could continue to live and thrive on this land. As Łutsël K’é Dene, we have inherited this responsibility to care for Thaıdene Nëné. With the signing of the Thaıdene Nëné agreements in 2019, other Nations committed to work with us in carrying out our responsibilities. Together, we have created Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá, a plan for the future that is guided by the vision of the ancestors: that Thaıdene Nëné remains a healthy landscape for plants, animals, and people, and we can continue to practice our ways of life as Łutsël K’é Dene here long into the future." James Marlowe Chief, Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation “As a government, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation is pleased to approve the relationship plan (management plan) for Thaıdene Nëné in partnership with the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Parks Canada, and GNWT. The relationship plan provides guiding principles that honour our Indigenous cultures based upon consensus management processes. These processes will ensure that our responsibility of caring for Thaıdene Nëné respects our way of life while setting the stage for the future, so we can benefit from opportunities. We look forward to supporting the implementation of the plan.” Garry Bailey President, Northwest Territory Métis Nation “Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá, the relationship plan for Thaıdene Nëné, demonstrates shared management in action and provides a strong example of how Indigenous and Crown governments can work together to advance the protected area’s future. Together, Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Parks Canada, provided strategic direction for multiple protected areas encompassed by Thaıdene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area. The plan reflects a holistic approach to stewardship that recognizes the interconnected responsibilities to the land, water, animals, communities, and future generations.” The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature “Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá marks an important milestone for conservation in the Northwest Territories and across Canada. This relationship plan reflects years of collaboration, trust, and shared leadership among the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Parks Canada. It shows the strength of Indigenous-led stewardship and what can be achieved when partners work together with a shared vision for the land, the waters, and future generations.” The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations “Thaıdene Nëné Badı Xá, the first management plan for Thaıdene Nëné, represents a significant milestone in shared stewardship. It reflects the commitment and collaboration of Indigenous Governments, the GNWT, and the Government of Canada, working together to honour and protect this land. Over the next 10 years, we look forward to strengthening these relationships as we implement the plan and uphold the responsibilities set out in the Thaıdene Nëné Agreements. Thaıdene Nëné is a place of exceptional cultural and ecological importance, deserving our continued care to safeguard the integrity of its land, water, wildlife, and the thriving Indigenous ways of life that have shaped this region for generations.” The Honourable Jay Macdonald Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories Quick Facts
Associated Links Land of the Ancestors (Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation) https://www.landoftheancestors.ca/ Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve (Parks Canada) https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/thaidene-nene Thaıdene Nëné Territorial Protected Area (Government of the Northwest Territories) https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/conservation-network-planning/thaidene-nene Northwest Territory Métis Nation https://nwtmetisnation.ca/ Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s Thaıdene Nëné Department Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThaideneNene Parks Canada, Northwest Territories Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParksCanadaNWT |
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June 2026
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