New Parks North

Introduction

This annual newsletter provides brief status reports on projects concerning the establishment and development of new parks, related heritage areas and other conservation initiatives in northern Canada. Aboriginal land claims remain a key factor in the establishment of parks and other protected areas.

Within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, approximately 18% of the land is conserved by national parks and managed in a co-operative manner by Parks Canada and agencies created under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (1984) or otherwise by agreement with Inuvialuit.

The Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (1992) and the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (1993) address natural areas, wildlife and heritage conservation issues. The Tłįcho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement received Royal Assent on 5 February 2005.

Government and the Dehcho First Nations have signed a Framework Agreement and an Interim Measures Agreement. These Agreements mark significant steps in the Deh Cho Process toward negotiating a final agreement. The Northwest Territory Métis Nation is currently working with government toward an agreement-in-principal. Land claim and treaty land entitlement considerations for all areas where claims are not settled will strongly influence the timing of conservation proposals in those areas.

The Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement (1993) has led 11 to First Nation Final Agreements: Champagne and Aishihik, Vuntut Gwitchin, Nacho Nyak Dun, Teslin Tlingit Council, Little Salmon/Carmacks, Selkirk, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kluane, Kwanlin Dün and Carcross/Tagish. Three Yukon First Nation claims are outstanding.

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (1993) provides a process for the establishment of national parks, territorial parks, and conservation areas in Nunavut. Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements must be concluded for all existing territorial parks and for management plans for all existing parks and conservation areas. Further information on land claim agreements may be found at the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada site at www.inac.gc.ca, by following the links through the Site Map to Publications and Research; Agreements; Comprehensive Claims Agreements.

New Parks North has been organized by claim area or settlement region. These areas are indicated on the map on the front page.

Judi Cozzetto, Editor