The Nı́o Nę̨ P’ęnę́ Hub is a collaborative, Indigenous-led initiative focused on caribou conservation, cultural resurgence, and community well-being in the Yukon-NWT border region. Anchored in the traditional territory of the Dene, including the Mackenzie Mountain barrens and Nááts’ı̨hch’oh, the Hub brings together Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, and scientists to protect this ecologically rich and culturally sacred region.
Led by the Sahtú Renewable Resources Board and local Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę (Renewable Resources Councils), the Hub strengthens governance rooted in Dene laws and perspectives. It supports intergenerational knowledge exchange, creates space for reciprocal learning between Indigenous and western systems, and empowers communities to take the lead in conservation planning.
A community-controlled geospatial hub, co-developed with Nature United, will provide a secure platform to manage and share knowledge while protecting sensitive information. Knowledge will be mobilized through workshops, gatherings, oral histories, and educational programs that reflect Dene traditions and priorities.
Ultimately, this Hub helps ensure that the protection of mountain caribou also safeguards the cultural integrity, resilience, and self-determination of the communities who have cared for these lands for generations. By grounding conservation in Indigenous leadership, the NNP Hub supports a future where Dene knowledge and governance shape decisions about their homelands.
Location: Along the Yukon/Northwest Territories border, including the Mackenzie Mountain barrens and culturally significant areas such as Nááts’ı̨hch’oh.
Partners and Funders:
