Kahaɂa Tuwé: The Gateway to the Barren Lands
For generations, Kahaɂa Tuwé—known to many as Pike’s Portage—has been more than just a rugged trail through the Canadian North. It has been a cultural crossroads, a gateway to the Barren Lands, and a landscape rich with history, endurance, and meaning. Join us as writer, speaker, educator and travel guide Bob Henderson shares tales of this iconic passage from the second edition of his book, Kahaɂa Tuwé: The Gateway to the Barren Lands.
🗓️ Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
🕘 Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Talk begins at 6:30 PM
🎟 Price: $15
🪪 Members save 10%! (Use the discount code in your welcome email to receive your discount).
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this second edition, readers can revisit the storied route that links Great Slave Lake to Artillery Lake and beyond, offering compelling tales of exploration, survival, and tradition. Showcasing a collection of historical accounts, canoeing expeditions, and the voices of those who have long known and cared for this land, the book paints a vivid portrait of one of northern Canada’s most iconic passages as it changes over time.
New to this edition are detailed maps featuring Indigenous place names, honouring the deep and ongoing relationships Dene and Métis peoples have with this territory. A newly added chapter also explores the 2019 creation of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, a monumental achievement in Indigenous-led conservation that protects more than 26,000 square kilometres of culturally and ecologically significant land. This edition also features a new foreword by Juni Gahdële, a respected Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation elder, community leader, and advocate for Indigenous rights.
Kahaɂa Tuwé: The Gateway to the Barren Lands is both a tribute and an invitation—to walk with humility in the footsteps of those who came before, and to recognize the enduring power of place. Copies of the book will be available for sale during the event.
This event is part of The Canadian Canoe Museum’s Speaker Series.