For the upcoming print issue of techlife magazine, writer (and NAIT communications specialist) Scott Messenger travelled this summer to the Dene Tha' First Nation community of Chateh, Alberta, an hour northwest of High Level, to meet Chief James Ahnassay.

Now serving his fourth term as elected chief, the NAIT alum has worked to raise the value of education in the eyes of community members, holding up higher learning as the key to prosperity.

The annual cultural and educational assembly, featured in the slideshow below, celebrated the achievements of individual Dene Tha'. It also called for more.

Set to the drumming and singing of the hand games tournament also held that weekend, here's a look at the assembly and the rugged wilderness of a remote corner of Alberta, including the Hay-Zama Wildland Park, site of a potential Dene Tha' ecotourism venture.