When we crossed the 60th Parallel, we left the Alberta road system, Hwy 35N and entered a new highway system for the Northwest Territories. Hence begins Hwy 1. The sections of Hwy 1 between the Alberta border and Enterprise has been designated as the NWT Highway of Heroes, in honor of the sacrifices made by armed forces, police and emergency responders who have died while in the line of duty. We are going to stay at Twin Falls Gorge Campsite, but will visit these falls and Alexandra Falls. Because of the extremely low water, these falls are not as impressive as they usually are. But, falls are always impressive anyways and they are on the Hay River.
But first, we need a well deserved dinner of Moose Sirloin Steak, Prawns and potato salad and of course our homemade wine.
The next set are more impressive, the Alexandra Falls. These falls have spiritual significance to the Dene people who regarded the Twin Falls as the sacred resting place of two spirits – Grandmother and Grandfather. The couple are said to remain here until the falls disappear, protecting the land and ensuring people respect creation. Alexandra, a 107-foot-high earthshaking torrent.
The local aboriginal people, the Dene, call this land Denendeh. The name signifies with the land and comes from a word meaning a life source which comes from the Creator. Denendeh traditionally extends from what is now central Alberta along the Dehcho (Mackenzie) Basin to nearly the Artic Ocean and from there to the Yukon-Alaska border to east of the treeline.
Twin Falls Gorge: The south Slavey are the Dene tribe of the region. This region include the northern portion of the western provinces all the way north to Fort Wrigley and parts of the Yukon. Traditionally, the South Slavey lived in separate clans. In winter, each family used its own smaller area for trapping furs. In spring, families lived together as a clan. In the summer and fall the greater abundance of food allowed the clans to live as a tribe.
The Dene ask the spirits to cleanse hunters and make them invisible to the animals they hunt. Because animals are pure and much closer to the Creator than humans, they can sense evil in humans and will avoid evil hunters but offer themselves to those who are pure and good.
In this region, moose is traditionally the most important animal for food, clothing and sheltering people. On the morning of a moose hunt the hunter makes and offering to the Creator for protection and guidance, to cleanse the hunters and to help them become balanced in mind, body and spirit.
Next stop is Enterprise. This little community was eaten in 2023 by a forest fire. The community of approximately 100 residents lost some important landmarks and saw many changes. The last photo is of a mileage sign that was melted by the fire but still stands today even though you can't read it. Northern humor.
The community got its start back in 1948 to serve travelers on the first highway constructed in the Northwest Territories. Then, as now, this was the place where two exciting paths diverged. Highway 2 leads northeast to Great Slave Lake and the communities of Hay River, Fort Resolution and Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park; the Mackenzie Highway, meanwhile, sets off northwest – toward Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, and beyond. The community got its start back in 1948 to serve travelers on the first highway constructed in the Northwest Territories. Then, as now, this was the place where two exciting paths diverged. Highway 2 leads northeast to Great Slave Lake and the communities of Hay River, Fort Resolution and Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park; the Mackenzie Highway, meanwhile, sets off northwest – toward Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, and beyond.
Next stop: Highway 2: Hay River
Comments