Cultural Exchange with the Dene People of Lutsel K'e in Northwest Territories, Canada скачать в хорошем качестве

Cultural Exchange with the Dene People of Lutsel K'e in Northwest Territories, Canada

Our journey began when the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation invited us—Māori Rangatahi & Kaitiaki—to their territory at Timber Bay in the Barrenlands, NWT. This wasn't just a visit; it was a profound cultural exchange to share traditional knowledge, stories, and language, forming permanent bonds between our nations. The impact was deep. As one of us reflected: “Wow, what an experience... to learn that in other parts of the world, the struggles we go through in Aotearoa, other Indigenous cultures experience similar challenges. The struggle is real: bringing back our language, our culture, connecting people back to their whenua (land), living off the land.” Seeing the Dene's approach gave us hope and a blueprint. Faced with these same struggles, the Lutselk'e Dene did something radical: they built their own national park, Thaidene Nëné, and now run it 50/50 with the government. But they didn't stop there. They knew the real work starts with their youth. They created Culture Camps to teach the next generation how to live off the land, ensuring these skills and connections are passed on. None of this happened in isolation. It was built on deep consultation—with their Chief, Elders, and supporting organizations—to make sure this vision for their future was strong, respected, and successful.