My name is Bobbi Rose Koe, granddaughter of Rosemary & Abraham Koe and Dorothy & Robert Alexie snr,  Teetl’it Gwich’in (meaning “people of the headwaters”), raised in Teetl’it Zheh – Fort McPherson NWT, but now I a living in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Growing up, When my family and I would go out on the land, I always watched my grandparents with admiration and love. The way they spoke, the way they moved, the way they laughed, the way they taught.  The land we traveled I learned at a young age was our home, I was always told you look after the land, the land will look after you.  I guess you can say, I fell in love with the land, like I love my grandparents.  In 2015, I got a wonderful opportunity to travel into my traditional territory of the Peel Gwinj’ik -Peel Watershed, after having heard stories and legends of the area- It felt like I was going home… and sure enough when I arrived on the  Tsiiviidiichuu -Wind River, I was home.

It was that trip that changed everything,  I knew I wanted to go back, I knew I wanted to learn more about guiding. With previous knowledge, love, and confidence I worked towards being a certified river guide. I now do trips with Nahanni Wilderness Adventures / Nahanni River Adventures which I love because I want to be able to travel, guide, and learn about other rivers and places in the North, but also share my stories and knowledge of the North.

A piece of my heart is on the Wind River, but I love getting to know other rivers.  I enjoy cooking, paddling, stories, beading, learning, working with youth, traveling and meeting new people.