I have heard it said that every Canadian should experience the diverse landscapes of the beautiful Northwest Territories. I have been drawn there a few times and hope to bring that unparalleled beauty to you in this new book. The Nahanni National Park was expanded a few years back and is now almost as big as Vancouver Island. This vast, unbroken regional reserve is a local park to those who live in the Northwest Territories and an enticement to those who want a rare glimpse of pristine wilds. From the grand majesty of Virginia Falls to the quiet stillness of the moon reflected in Little Doctor Lake, each scene elegantly and honestly captures a piece of northern Canada that should not be missed, except for after you leave.
There is nothing like traveling around the Northwest Territories; flying over the foothills of the Mackenzie mountains where they sink into the Nahanni River, or driving along the new road into Tuktoyaktuk on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Of all the ways to see Canada, from each method of travel one can take to various isolated nature reserves and small villages that line the coast and dot the territories, the singular permanent road that connects a community on the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the rest of Canada is as unique as it gets. Being able to drive to the northern edge of the continent and meet fellow Canadians in Tuk is a splendid opportunity that I have endeavoured to capture in these pages, to inspire everyone who spends time among them.
The scenic images of the Northwest Territories from the air as well as up close showcase the wonder of Canada and it’s vast array of natural land formations that are envied around the globe. From the bend of grass in the wind to the serpentine path of the Tetcela River. I will never forget the Northern Lights over Fort Simpson or the scramble to get the camera set up to capture them, after forgetting a crucial piece of equipment back at the hotel. The photographs in this book tell the tale of why the Northwest Territories remains one of my favourite destinations for breathtaking natural landscapes and the warmth of local communities.
Availing myself with various modes of transportation and their benefits made clear to me how the residents of the more isolated hamlets keep in touch with nature so closely. Communities of the territories are deeply embedded in the wild landscapes of the north, so much so that day-to-day activities are often dictated by naturally occurring phenomena like the weather. Many roads to remote areas only exist when the lakes or rivers freeze and travel over them becomes possible. Bush pilots have to keep a close eye on the weather and their fingers crossed for conditions showing clear and fair. If fog cover is too thick, travel is simply impossible and the only thing to do is wait, relax, and be content in the moment. With that said, anyone who spends time among the plateaus and canyons that abound will understand the connection to the wilderness, as it becomes a part of your backyard.
As you peruse, I hope you will feel the glacial waters, watch the sun set, take in the daily tasks of the skilled craftsmen of a small fishing village and canoe past the houseboats on Yellowknife Bay. You’ll never feel so off-the-grid while so down-to-earth.