The bipedal entities commonly called sasquatch are identified by many regional names and nicknames (to mention them all would simply take up too much space here); however, my recent book, Nahganne: Tales of the Northern Sasquatch, uses the Dene Nation term Nahganne in the title. This term is commonly used along the Mackenzie River Delta, as well as around the Kaska Nation of southeast Yukon and northern B.C., to describe the sasquatch entity.
Today, more people have come forward to tell of their experiences with this little-known, puzzling entity. A relatively small number of scientists have had the internal fortitude to research what is known about sasquatch, and also to write about it, such as these respected and knowledgeable scientists: Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology; Dr. John Bindernagel, Wildlife Biologist; Dr. J Robert Alley, retired Professor of Anatomy and Physiology; Dr. Grover Krantz, Professor of Anthropology … and the list goes on. As well, citizen scientists and enthusiasts have researched, studied and written about this unclassified and uncatalogued bipedal entity.
But what do we actually know about sasquatch?
According to witnesses, physically these forest-giant entities would range between 2 and 3.5 metres (6.5 to 11.5 feet) in height. They have been described as being huge, with thick and muscular barrel-like chests, strong and long legs and arms and a thick neck (mostly invisible due to a long head of hair). The head has been described as somewhat cone-shaped, with the back of the head being slightly higher than the front and with a very human-like face and a nose often said to be like that of a boxer’s (flattened out). The skin on the face and chest was mostly dark, often described as being the colour of sunburned skin, with some facial hair. The entities were judged to weigh over 300 kilograms (over 650 pounds) by witnesses.
The creature’s entire body is described as being covered with hair of varying colour that ranges from light to darker shades of brown and black, with some having tints of grey or white, often with reddish tones. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet were reported to be bare.
The size and shape of their footprints is significant as they are obviously human-like, with a forward-pointing big toe; however, with much more flexibility of movement than human feet, as studied by experts in the field of foot locomotion. These footprints would usually be the first signs of sasquatch activities being discovered and noticed by passersby.
Not many people have paid attention to the hands and fingers, but those who did pay attention have described the fingers as being somewhat shorter than expected in proportion to their stature. It is said that they have wide hands, with the palm being long and broad, forming a sort of scoop. One observer mentioned the fingers being short but large, and the fingernails as being flattish and looking like chisels.
Witnesses have mentioned that sasquatch have an upright stance, with a slightly hunched posture, and have a gait just like humans, although with longer, controlled steps and with arms that swing freely while walking (and with fingers closed in a fist towards the rear, as opposed to humans who close their fingers towards their thighs). The arms are long—hanging well down towards the knees. With humans, the arms hang down to the mid-thigh, on average.
Sasquatch have been heard to communicate by using a range of sounds, whistles, whoops and yells, as well as by banging on trees, beating their chest and clicking rocks together, as described by witnesses who have heard them communicating in low and soft-toned whisperings, as well.
In the Yukon, sasquatch activity has been reported as occurring along well-travelled roads and highways (more people on these roads; therefore, more witnesses). Unfortunately, not everyone feels at ease reporting what they have experienced, as they are afraid of being ridiculed. This fear is common and is a negative trait in today’s society where people have set minds and do not accept thoughts that could wreck their preconceived ideology. And observers may also think, I’m seeing things, I’m delusional, it can’t be … or they may try to reconcile what they have seen with something that is readily acceptable, such as a bear.
