Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation Community Based Monitoring Program

Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation entered Treaty 8 in 1899. We have 10 reserves located across Northeastern Alberta and Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), 2 land leases in the Northwest Territories, and a transboundary territory Treaty 8 and sovereign lands beyond. Since time immemorial, TDN citizens have relied on these lands which are sustained by the waters of the Peace, Athabasca, and Slave Rivers.

Our mandate is defined within the following mission statement:

We, the Tthebatthie Denesųłiné, have been sovereign since time immemorial. Together, we will continue our journey in harmony with the environment to sustain a healthy and self-sufficient lifestyle for future generations. To honour our Creator and ancestors, we will protect and nurture the integrity of our Dene Ch’anié.

In recent years, we have experienced significant environmental change due to cumulative effects including: hydroelectric dams, tar sands, pulp and paper, and climate change. These changes are an encroachment and infringement to our Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982, which includes the inherent right to hunt, trap, fish, practice Dene Ch’anié, and the right to environmental conservation and sustainability.

TDN’s Community Based Monitoring (CBM) Program is part of a larger TDN Guardianship initiative uphold TDN’s ability to optimize the peaceful enjoyment of s.35 rights and further enhance and restore Dene Chanie, protect sovereignty, autonomy, and ecological integrity of Territory. The CBM currently focusses on fish and fish habitat (though is being expanded each year and will eventually encompass all indicators of environmental health) and is entirely community led. Knowledge holders and Elders identify areas of concern and change based on generations of Dëné Knowledge (DK) and then work with western scientists to identify DK and western science indicators.