ŁUTSEL K’E, NWT (April 1, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation (LKDFN) are working with other Aboriginal governments towards the establishment of a “made-in-the-North” approach for Thaidene Nëné (thai-den-eh-nen-ay).
Thaidene Nëné is a beautiful cultural landscape with unique geography and rich wildlife populations, and encompasses a number of key ecological, cultural and recreational features, including the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, NWT. It is also rich in economic opportunities. Given its numerous values, a unique northern approach to planning, conservation, and management is being discussed for the area under consideration.
“Thaidene Nëné is one of the first post-devolution initiatives to feature a made-in-the-North approach to finding balance in a unique area with competing values,” says Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger. “The idea is to have a combination of territorial and federal designations and related governance arrangements as a way to maximize benefits and keep as much of the area as possible under the control of NWT residents.”
Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation has been in negotiations with Parks Canada for many years and reached extensive common ground on a number of areas, but not on a national park reserve boundary. Parks Canada has agreed to step back while the Government of the Northwest Territories discusses mutual objectives and builds a common northern position with Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation and other Aboriginal governments. This, in turn, will contribute to constructive discussions with Parks Canada. As the northern position is developed, Parks Canada will be engaged to make sure all parties move forward together to build consensus.
“The proposed conservation areas, including those for the national park reserve, will respect Aboriginal and treaty rights,” says Minister Miltenberger. Existing commercial tourism and recreational access to the area for non-indigenous residents and visitors to the NWT will also continue, allowing us to share our “Land is Life” vision, which recognizes that land sustains and nourishes us spiritually, culturally, physically, economically, and socially. Territorial legislation will be amended to permit non-indigenous residents to continue to enjoy the Northern lifestyle.”
The study area – over 33000 square kilometers surrounding and extending beyond Artillery Lake and the East Arm of Great Slave Lake – is currently protected by territorial land withdrawals while the future uses of this land are being considered. On April 1, 2014, the Government of the Northwest Territories was devolved responsibility for land, water, and resource management and has taken a lead role in actively engaging with Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation and Parks Canada on the establishment of Thaidene Nëné.
A fundamental priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories since devolution is to streamline negotiations through collaborations with Aboriginal governments to reach timely decisions that consider ecological, social, cultural, and economic values and ensure maximum benefits to current and future generations. The Thaidene Nëné process is one of the first examples of this new approach. The GNWT and LKDFN are working to finalize an approach for Thaidene Nëné by the summer of 2015. As discussions proceed, a process will be implemented for public input from all interested parties.
Media inquiries:
Roya Grinsted
Communications Officer
Government of the NWT
Tel: (867) 669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca