East Arm of Great Slave Lake National Park Proposal
In October 2006 the Chief of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation and the Minister of the Environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides a framework for working together over the next three years. During this time, Parks Canada will carry out a feasibility assessment for the establishment of a national park in the vicinity of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake/Artillery Lake. The area to be studied is approximately 33,500 km² including the 7,340 km² of lands already withdrawn for national park purposes in 1970.

The feasibility assessment will include the gathering of further information on the area’s natural and cultural resources, a study of the potential economic and tourism impacts and benefits of a park, and an assessment of the mineral and energy resource potential of the study area.

Parks Canada has started the exchange of information with some individuals and businesses that have land holdings within and adjacent to the area. Broad public consultations, as part of the feasibility assessment, will likely begin early in 2008.

Consultations with Aboriginal groups, such as the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and, potentially, the Athabasca Denesoline, must be conducted in a manner that meets requirements established by the courts. This means that these potentially affected aboriginal groups have a very significant influence on whether a park is established and, if so, under what terms and in what configuration. It will likely take at least four years for all the required consultations and negotiations to be completed with these groups.

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