Athabasca Nuhenéné

Barren ground caribou are fascinating migratory creatures that gather in large herds in the north. Today, they are under threat. Visit https://www.denesuline.com/caribou to learn more! Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB

Barren ground caribou are fascinating migratory creatures that gather in large herds in the north. Today, they are under threat. Visit https://www.denesuline.com/caribou to learn more! Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB

Did you know the Athabasca basin is the world's leading source of high grade uranium? For this reason, there are numerous developed uranium mines and much interest in exploration. There is desire to build the economy within Nuhenéné by building partnerships and benefit agreements with these industries. However, it must be done with balance and protection of the environment at the forefront. Visit https://www.denesuline.com/land to learn more!

For Denesiné Elders, environmental protection often means ensuring future generations will have access to gifts of the land. Elders have the responsibility of watching the land and water, which not only protects the land but ensures that traditional ways of the Denesiné and natural and Indigenous laws continue for generations. By protecting the environment, they protect our people and our culture.

Did you know the Athabasca basin is the world's leading source of high grade uranium? For this reason, there are numerous developed uranium mines and much interest in exploration. There is desire to build the economy within Nuhenéné by building partnerships and benefit agreements with these industries. However, it must be done with balance and protection of the environment at the forefront. Visit https://www.denesuline.com/land to learn more!

Though forest fires are a natural disturbance, communities have observed hotter, more frequent, & larger fires in recent years - partly due to climate change. This said, forest fires are no longer actioned within Nuhenéné unless they are of risk to communities or other property. This lack of active fire protection has seen immense tracts of land burned, leaving no food or shelter for Barren ground caribou and other species that rely on old-growth forests. Forest fires continue to be a threat for our communities.

Elizabeth & Hunt falls are hidden away in the forest of Nuhenéné (Northern Saskatchewan). These waterfalls are large, stunning, and experienced by few. To learn more about the land of the Denesiné in the North, visit www.denesuline.com.

For Denesiné Elders, environmental protection often means ensuring future generations will have access to gifts of the land. Elders have the responsibility of watching the land and water, which not only protects the land but ensures that traditional ways of the Denesiné and natural and Indigenous laws continue for generations. By protecting the environment, they protect our people and our culture.

A traditionally nomadic people, the Athabsaca Denesiné still live by the migration of the Barren ground caribou to this day. Though we have our home communities, we ultimately live beyond the provincial and territorial borders put in place by Canada. Our territory is vast, as we have traditionally followed the migration route of the Barren ground caribou.

Though forest fires are a natural disturbance, communities have observed hotter, more frequent, & larger fires in recent years - partly due to climate change. This said, forest fires are no longer actioned within Nuhenéné unless they are of risk to communities or other property. This lack of active fire protection has seen immense tracts of land burned, leaving no food or shelter for Barren ground caribou and other species that rely on old-growth forests. Forest fires continue to be a threat for our communities.

Black Lake Denesuiné First Nation is home to under 2,200 people. The population is fairly young, with a median age of 22 years old. Dene language is the mother tongue of 97% of the community. This First Nation is located approximately 20 km up the road from Stony Rapids.

Caribou herds that migrate into Nuhenéné include the Beverly, Qamanirjuaq, Ahiak and Bathurst. Herds are determined by their fidelity to specific calving grounds. The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board lists the Beverly Caribou herd as high vulnerability, and the Qamanirjuaq herd as medium-high vulnerability. Numbers have especially been dwindling in the Bathurst herd. The Bathurst caribou have traditionally migrated into Saskatchewan, however, due to their ...low numbers, their range has contracted significantly and now mostly remains north of Great Slave Lake. Harvesting restrictions are in place for this herd. Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB See more

Elizabeth & Hunt falls are hidden away in the forest of Nuhenéné (Northern Saskatchewan). These waterfalls are large, stunning, and experienced by few. To learn more about the land of the Denesiné in the North, visit www.denesuline.com.

Despite the decline of Barren ground caribou numbers, they have yet to be federally listed as "threatened" under Canadian Species at Risk Act. After several years of consultation with Indigenous communities and the general public, the Minister has yet to make a decision. Listing would increase protection for the caribou, particularly around critical habitat. Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB

Barren ground caribou are facing multiple threats in the north. To make it worse, climate change is amplifying the effect of all these stressors. As a result, many herds are decreasing with some reaching critically low levels. Since we are intrinsically tied to these animals, this is a huge concern for our people. To learn more about how each threat is effecting populations, please visit: https://www.denesuline.com/caribou.

A traditionally nomadic people, the Athabsaca Denesiné still live by the migration of the Barren ground caribou to this day. Though we have our home communities, we ultimately live beyond the provincial and territorial borders put in place by Canada. Our territory is vast, as we have traditionally followed the migration route of the Barren ground caribou.

Caribou have many adaptations that help them endure the harsh winters and summers of the north. To learn more about the Caribou herds that travel within Nuhenéné and the connection we have with them, please visit: www.denesuline.com.

Black Lake Denesuiné First Nation is home to under 2,200 people. The population is fairly young, with a median age of 22 years old. Dene language is the mother tongue of 97% of the community. This First Nation is located approximately 20 km up the road from Stony Rapids.

Caribou herds that migrate into Nuhenéné include the Beverly, Qamanirjuaq, Ahiak and Bathurst. Herds are determined by their fidelity to specific calving grounds. The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board lists the Beverly Caribou herd as high vulnerability, and the Qamanirjuaq herd as medium-high vulnerability. Numbers have especially been dwindling in the Bathurst herd. The Bathurst caribou have traditionally migrated into Saskatchewan, however, due to their ...low numbers, their range has contracted significantly and now mostly remains north of Great Slave Lake. Harvesting restrictions are in place for this herd. Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB See more

Despite the decline of Barren ground caribou numbers, they have yet to be federally listed as "threatened" under Canadian Species at Risk Act. After several years of consultation with Indigenous communities and the general public, the Minister has yet to make a decision. Listing would increase protection for the caribou, particularly around critical habitat. Photo: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board - BQCMB

Barren ground caribou are facing multiple threats in the north. To make it worse, climate change is amplifying the effect of all these stressors. As a result, many herds are decreasing with some reaching critically low levels. Since we are intrinsically tied to these animals, this is a huge concern for our people. To learn more about how each threat is effecting populations, please visit: https://www.denesuline.com/caribou.

The Athabasca Basin is home to the Barrenground Caribou of Saskatchewan and the Denesiné peoples who have lived alongside them for millennia. It's only by wo...rking with Canada's Indigenous peoples to conserve spaces like these that we can reach our federal goals of 25% protection by 2025. Learn more at https://www.denesuline.com/ This is the third episode in our series of mini-documentaries on Saskatchewan's wild spaces and the people who are protecting them.

Caribou have many adaptations that help them endure the harsh winters and summers of the north. To learn more about the Caribou herds that travel within Nuhenéné and the connection we have with them, please visit: www.denesuline.com.