ARE THERE HEAD HUNTERS IN CANADA'S NORTH?

 

In a remote section of Canada's Northwest Territories, is a vast section of land known as Nahanni Valley. 

Although extremely remote, this area of land is steeped in superstition, so much so that the Indiginous People whose generations have lived near by for centuries, refuse to step foot on the land, even today. 

The Nahanni Valley is now a National Park, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a tourist destination. It's not! There are no roads that lead into the area. In fact, the only way to get to Nahanni Valley is either by boat, airplane, or a very long hike from Yellowknife that will take you several days to make. 

But even if you did make the trek, there are sections of land in the Nahanni Valley that are prohibited to enter. The government says it is to protect the land, but many think otherwise. They believe instead, that those prohibited areas are to protect visitors and to protect them from dying. Not from bears or wolves, but something much more worrisome. It has been rumored that a tribe of headhunters may live in the Nahanni Valley. And history is proof that several people have indeed suspiciously lost their lives in this area... Along with their heads. 

TWO BROTHERS AND THEIR FRIEND CHARLIE

In the early 1900's, two brothers Willie and Frank McLeod, along with their friend Charlie**, would make their way to Nahanni Valley in search of gold. This would be their second trip to the area, since the year before they lost their gold due to a boat accident. 

Two years later, they still hadn't returned home and their older brother*** would set out to go look for them. 

He would eventually find their camp, along with their bodies...at least what was left of their bodies. 

Both brothers were missing their heads!

Their friend Charlie was no where to be seen, however, a few months later, a skeleton would be found not far from the camp site. It was believed to be Charlie, although it was never officially confirmed. 

The Canadian Mounted Police were called to the site but they did not suspect foul play. Instead they believed the culprit was an animal. As for the missing heads, the RCMP's explanation was from animals who had come in after the kill and simply dragged the heads away. 

HE WENT ANYWAY...

A few years later, a Danish man, Martin Jorgenson, would make his way to Nahanni Valley to also search for Gold. Jorgensen was aware of what had happened to the McLeod brothers a few years before and had heard the superstitions regarding the area, but he brushed all that aside. 

However, when Jorgenson also didn't return home and no word was heard from him, a search party was sent out. His cabin was located, burned almost to the ground, and inside were found Jorgenson's remains...also missing his head. 

Once again foul play was ruled out. The RCMP claimed that Jorgenson must have been doing something in the kitchen area and a fire started. As for the missing head, animals were once again blamed. 

By now, the press had started to pick up on these strange deaths and word was beginning to spread, as did the rumors. 

Some wondered if it could be a Supernatural creature such as the The Waheela, which was said to be a giant animal also known as the Bear Dog. Others spoke of a Demon like creature known as The Wendigo. Both creatures born out of Native Folklore. 

But many believe it's far more possible and believable that it could be a tribe of Head Hunters living in the thick forests of Nahanni Valley. 

A couple of centuries ago a tribe known as the Naha, a warrior like tribe, roamed the Valley. It is said that they just simply vanished without a trace. But could it be that they didn't vanish at all, but instead took to the forests where their predecessors now roam? 

The Nahanni Valley is so remote and so vast that it is totally plausible that a tribe could still be living there, and no one would ever know it or even ever see them...until it was too late, that is. 

The last suspicious death happened near the canyons of Nahanni Valley in 1947, a man from Ontario whose body was found, once again without a head. 

After that the government started prohibiting visitors from certain sections of the forests and the area near the canyons was nicknamed The Valley of Headless Men.

The Nahanni Valley is easily one of the most breath taking places on Earth with its canyons, rivers and even the MacKenzie Mountains, and many people do visit the area. You too are safe the visit it, if you want to make the trip, so long as you stay out of the prohibited areas. 

Perhaps the government is just trying to protect the land and the wildlife, or perhaps they know something the rest of us only suspect...

Either way, if you do go, enjoy the view. And don't lose your head. 

** Information is varied on the name of the McLeod brother's friend, Charlie. Some reports state the friend's name is Charlie, other reports state that the brother who later found their bodies, was Charlie. 

*** Reports are also varied to the age of the brother who lead the search party. Some reports state he was their older brother, others state he was their younger brother.