The Tse Keh Nay, often referred to as the Sekani Nation, are rooted in the mountainous regions and river valleys of north-central British Columbia. Their ancestral territory spans the Finlay River watershed, an area rich in biodiversity and cultural history. Traditionally, the Tse Keh Nay practiced a seasonal round of hunting, fishing, and gathering, guided by intricate knowledge of the land and an unbroken spiritual relationship with nature. Their language, worldview, and customs are shaped by these northern landscapes, emphasizing respect, reciprocity, and the interdependence of all life.
One of the most significant challenges faced by the Tse Keh Nay was their forced displacement in the 1960s, when the construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam flooded their village at Portage Mountain. This catastrophic event submerged sacred sites, disrupted traditional food systems, and severed ancestral ties to the land. Since then, the Tse Keh Nay have contended with limited infrastructure, environmental degradation, and marginalization in provincial decision-making. Despite formal agreements and consultations, the path to full recognition of land rights and autonomy remains complex, often entangled in bureaucratic processes and extractive industrial interests.
What is profoundly uplifting about the Tse Keh Nay is their relentless determination to restore what was lost and to build a future grounded in their cultural strength. In recent years, they have returned to key heritage sites, asserting sovereignty through cultural revitalization and land-based initiatives. Youth camps, traditional knowledge programs, and environmental stewardship projects illustrate a commitment to intergenerational healing and renewal. The Tse Keh Nay are actively reshaping their narrative—not as victims of displacement, but as powerful custodians of their homeland who are reclaiming voice, space, and legacy with unwavering resolve.
