Tshuu tr’adaojìich’uu OR Tshuu tr’idaodìich’uu

This canyon is one of the most significant places along the Peel River and there are many stories attached to it because of its danger and beauty. It is one of two canyons along the Peel River – the lower of the two – and the only one that is passable by boat. Its passage, however, requires a skilled boatsman. One who knows how to read the water, can avoid eddies and is comfortable with fast flowing water. The trip through the canyon today is a memorable trip. People consider it treacherous and treat it with great caution and respect. In early historic times, it was considered so treacherous, that when Teetl’it Gwich’in families who had spent all winter in the upper Peel hunting in the mountains arrived at the canyon in the spring, only the men would take the moose skin boats through the canyon. Each boat had a captain responsible for steering the boat with a large wooden oar and directing the paddlers. The women, children and dogs walked over the portage trail on top of the high cliffs and met the men at the downstream end. If all went well, there was a big celebration here where the best foods would be brought out and a great feast held. After the feast, they would continue their trip down the Peel River meeting other families along their way to Fort McPherson to trade their meat and furs at the Hudson’s Bay Company post.