Nuwe néné, nuwe ch’anıé yunedhé xa

Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s vision for Thaidene Nëné is: Nuwe néné, nuwe ch’anıé yunedhé xa, which means Our land, our culture for the future in Dënesųłıné. Our vision is outlined in our strategic plan.

Download Strategic Plan

We visualize our plan for Thaidene Nëné using the process of hide tanning, a sacred cultural practice that supports and maintains our Dënesųłıné way of life. Our vision, the hide, is attached to the denı́ dhë́dh chené (poles), our goals, by bet’á ɂenélką ɂetth’é (rope/sinew), which are our objectives, strategies, and measures.
 
The moose hide tanning process works best when it is done by a team. Likewise, implementing our vision for Thaidene Nëné will take a concerted effort by all involved.
 
Our strategic plan has eight denı́ dhë́dh chené (poles) representing our eight goals for Thaidene Nëné.

1. Yunedhé xa ts’edél, or Łutsël K’é leading.

This goal involves learning from and sharing with other Indigenous governments who steward Indigenous protected areas; strengthening the Thaidene Nëné team; incorporating Dene laws into the management of Thaidene Nëné; and working collaboratively with community members.

2. Nuwe ch’ánıé, or Dënesųłıné yatı and Dënesųłıné way of life in all decisions.

We want our members to be strong in our Dënesųłıné language and way of life so that we can continue to care for Thaidene Nëné, as we have always done, long into the future. To promote language revitalization and cultural transmission, we will establish language protocols, develop language tools, and expand land-based programming opportunities.

3. Dëne xa suɂúlye huzų xa, or Maximize successful employment for members, including youth and elders.

Thaidene Nëné and Ni Hat’ni Dene represent important employment opportunities for our people. We want to create more full-time and seasonal Guardian positions in the coming years. We also want to increase employment opportunities for our elders through interpretation and translation work.

4. Dëne hánelkën xél tth’ı́ la hurı̨shą xa suɂúlye, or Provide training, leadership capacity building, and mentorship for our employees and Thaidene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı (management board).

Thaidene Nëné implementation depends on strong leadership and governance. Over the coming months and years, we will work to enhance the capacity of everyone involved with implementation from senior leaders to seasonal youth staff through training and mentorship.

5. T’a hı́ltsı sı́, nuwe ch'ánıé dagháré xa, or Design and maintain infrastructure that reflects who we are.

We want to develop infrastructure that will meet the needs of visitors to Thaidene Nëné, as well as residents of Łutsël K’é. Our vision includes designing and building a Thaidene Nëné Visitors and Interpretive Centre, increasing the number of patrol/outpost cabins in Thaidene Nëné, and developing community recreation infrastructure that serves residents and visitors alike.

6. Háskëne nezų nuwe ghą náɂı́dı́l, or Hosting our visitors, using LKDFN protocols.

This goal involves educating visitors about our history and culture as Dënesųłıné, and the importance of protecting Thaidene Nëné, but also supporting our members to be good hosts. As part of this goal, we will move from offering seasonal to year-round programming through Frontier Lodge.

7. Thaıdene nëné k’éyaghe nı̨ɂúú, kuweɂúú ɂeke badı, or Respecting protection of ecological integrity.

To ensure the well-being of the land and our people long into the future, we are enhancing the capacity and extending the reach of Ni Hat’ni Dene, implementing Yúnethé Xá Ɂetthën Hádı (our caribou stewardship plan), identifying contaminated sites for remediation, and establishing research priorities.

8. Nets’ı̨ k'ızı̨́ bet’á ɂegháladá, or Building a sustainable community economy.

To meet this goal, we will work to increase community awareness of and capacity to bid on both government and non-government contracts related to Thaidene Nëné. We will also support the development of local businesses to meet the needs of Thaidene Nëné, including the needs of visitors to Łutsël K’é.