Here in the untrodden core of the territory, the frantic outside world is held at bay. This is the home of a grand inland body of water, the largest entirely in Canada, known as Great Bear Lake — nearly 500 metres deep, slithering with colossal Trout, cliff-flanked and salted with alluring place names such as Conjuror Bay, Grizzly Bear Mountain and the Scented Grass Hills.

Here, too, is the North’s ruler of rivers, the mammoth Mackenzie — six kilometres wide, pressing northward with its watery cargo of driftwood, fish, barges and canoeists, joined along the way by wild tributaries like the Redstone, the Keele and the Mountain.

In the west, you’ll find a jagged landscape bustling with mountain sheep, caribou, moose and other game. The Mackenzie Mountains stand guard over these lands, with almost no known paths apart from the famous Canol heritage trail

And among these unforgettable sights, you’ll find five vibrant communities thriving on the cusp of the Arctic Circle, their hearty residents insulated from the bustle of city life.

To learn even more about what the Sahtu has to offer check out the Guide to the Sahtu Region.