The Kaska Traditional Territory spans the colonial borders of British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. At the heart of this vast region is Dene K’éh Kusān, meaning “The People’s Way We Follow” in the Kaska Dena language. It is one of the last large, intact wilderness areas in North America, providing essential habitat for wildlife such as grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and wolves.
Beyond its ecological richness, Dene K’éh Kusān plays a crucial role in addressing climate change. Its ancient forests, wetlands, and waterways act as a major carbon sink, storing vast amounts of carbon and helping to regulate the global climate. Protecting this landscape offers the potential for sustainable economic opportunities for Kaska Dena communities, while preserving world-class outdoor experiences such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, and backcountry camping.
Yet this land faces growing threats from industrial development, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Local Kaska Dena communities are seeking formal recognition of Dene K’éh Kusān as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) to ensure its cultural and ecological values are safeguarded for generations to come. This vision centers Indigenous leadership in the creation of stewardship and land management plans, and emphasizes the revitalization of cultural knowledge and practices tied to the land.
