Tirato

Tirato is the Dene name for the northwestern arm of Sahtú, Great Bear Lake, known in English as Smith Arm. Its shores and tributaries belong to the homeland of the Sahtúgot’ı̨nę, who travelled around the great lake to fish and hunt. The Hare Indian River connects the lake’s northwestern waters with the Mackenzie valley. Stories and named places along the north shore record journeys to the barrenlands and encounters with people farther north.