The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is delighted with the announcement by the Dehcho First Nations (DFN), Tłįchǫ Government, Government of Canada, and other partners on the formal establishment of the Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories.
After more than twenty years of persistent work to move this forward, an agreement was signed by DFN Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian and the Honourable Minister Catherine McKenna. CPAWS commends the Dehcho for their leadership to protect this piece of their traditional territory. The new 14,250 km2 wildlife area in Edéhzhíe, NWT – established under the Canada Wildlife Act – is a unique ecosystem that includes headwater lakes, abundant wildlife and numerous cultural sites. The area, which will be co-managed by the Dehcho and the Government of Canada, is a significant step towards Canada meeting its international conservation commitment of at least 17% land and freshwater protection by 2020.
“This is a truly inspiring achievement,” says KLris Brekke, executive director of CPAWS Northwest Territories, “the Edéhzhíe area will continue to support a healthy ecosystem and remain a hub of cultural activity.”
Indigenous peoples, as the traditional stewards of lands and waters in Canada, are demonstrating leadership in advancing conservation across Canada. The announcement of the National Wildlife Area in Edéhzhíe illustrates that conservation efforts made in the spirit of reconciliation are feasible and further opens the door for future collaborative discussions about land use planning between Indigenous governments and Government of Canada.
CPAWS congratulates the Dehcho for being champions for nature, always balancing the needs of the land and environment with those of their communities.
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Background
CPAWS has been working in the Northwest Territories since 1996 and has a longstanding relationship with the Dehcho First Nation. CPAWS and WWF Canada recently honoured Grand Chief Herb Norwegian with the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize for his decades of work on the Dehcho Land Use Plan, which sets out a long-term plan to protect approximately 100,000 km2 of critical boreal forests, wetlands and watersheds in accordance with Dene values.
CPAWS has also played a key role in the development of the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy and continues to play an important role in assisting communities to seek protection of important natural and cultural places, including helping the Dehcho to establish the Nahanni National Park Reserve – a process that began in 1972.
Backgrounder on Canada’s Newest Indigenous Protected Area/National Wildlife Area