5.2 Community, Culture, and Heritage

The Region’s collective culture is living and evolving. It has been shaped by the diverse traditions and shared histories of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, newcomers of many backgrounds, and the relationships between them. It is grounded in values of cooperation, stewardship, respect, and care for multiple perspectives. Maintaining and enhancing cultural and heritage values for all is central to sustainable development.

Culture and heritage are living systems, not static artefacts. They evolve through ongoing relationships between people, place, and practice. This includes language, seasonal activities, Traditional Knowledge, and community gatherings, all of which contribute to identity, belonging, and resilience. For the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, heritage and culture are a way of life reflected in the beliefs, values, knowledge, and practices passed on from generation to generation. The THFA recognizes and protects this way of life, which is based on an economic and spiritual relationship between the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the land.

The connection between land and culture runs deep for many residents of the Region. The land is not just a resource – it is a source of stories, teachings, and spiritual connection. Especially for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, cultural practices such as harvesting, storytelling, and ceremony are deeply rooted in specific landscapes. When land is degraded or access is restricted, cultural continuity can be disrupted.

Community well-being as a whole is closely tied to cultural expression and heritage preservation. Art, music, and storytelling foster social cohesion and intergenerational learning, while heritage sites and cultural landscapes support tourism and local economies.

Many of the newcomers in the Region whose families have been here for generations have strong ties to the land because life a hundred years ago was more directly connected to the land. More recent newcomers can benefit from the generosity of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and these settler–descendants in creating relationships with the land and learning how to be stewards.

All newcomers, regardless of how long they have been here, carry with them their own cultures that contribute to the richness of the community today, through traditions of celebration, food, stories, or teachings. The community welcomes this diversity, whether newcomers are arriving from other parts of the country or are new Canadians.

Cultural continuity depends on connectivity – between generations, between communities, and between people and place. Just as ecological connectivity supports species movement, cultural connectivity ensures that knowledge, values, and practices can be passed on and adapted to changing circumstances. Rapid environmental and social change poses risks to culture and heritage, and adaptive implementation must consider these risks and support cultural resilience through inclusive planning and long-term stewardship.

The order in which these values are presented does not imply a hierarchy. Each contributes uniquely to the Region’s identity and vitality. The emphasis on Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in values reflects their foundational role in the Region’s cultural landscape and the importance of upholding Indigenous rights and responsibilities.

Community, Culture, and Heritage Goals

1. Land stewardship is practised by all residents of and visitors to the Region, including governments.
2. Land stewardship is promoted and supported by governments.
3. Land-based activities that strengthen connections to the land are readily available, accessible, and well-attended.
4. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in culture and the Hän language are thriving and respected throughout the Region.
5. Traditional harvesting is actively practised and respected.
6. The community is diverse and resilient, relying on the strengths of multiple worldviews and ways of being that coexist with mutual respect.
7. The community has high capacity and resilience in people and infrastructure.
8. The community has capacity and knowledge to respond and adapt to environmental, social, and climate changes.
9. Land-related decision-making prioritizes community health and well-being.
10. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s heritage, as self-determined, is respected throughout the Region.

Sustainable Economy Values