Plan contributes to implementing Vuntut Gwitchin rights,
protecting the environment and connecting Canadians to nature in
the Yukon
Dinehtl'eh vah gwitr'it t'agwah'in Nan
Thok Natri'iniin'aii (Vuntut National Park) geenjik
Parliament
Plan gwizhit nihah veenjit tr'igiheekyhyaa nits'oo Van Tat
Gwich'in gooveenjik gwiheezyaa gwitr'it gwiinzii gwahaatsyaa,
nits'oo nanh t'agwijahch'uu, nanh gwiinzii k'atr'anahtii ts'at
nits'oo Canadians, Yukon gwizhit
nanh gahanaa'yaa, gooveenjit gwiiheezyaa.
OLD
CROW, YT, Oct. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - National parks are
gateways to experiencing, learning, and connecting with nature.
They also serve to protect Indigenous values, lands, and waters.
Parks Canada is a recognized
leader in conservation, taking action to protect national parks and
national marine conservation areas and contributing to the recovery
of species at risk. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation is a
recognized leader in Indigenous-led conservation and the protection
and management of wildlife such as the Porcupine caribou herd.
The management plan for Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut
National Park) was recently tabled in Parliament. Reviewed every
ten years, management plans are a requirement of the Canada
National Parks Act and guide the management of national historic
sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas.
The updated plan for Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut National
Park) outlines the following key strategies:
- Looking after the water, land and animals for the future –
focuses on building and maintaining healthy ecosystems in the park
for present and future generations.
- Living and teaching a traditional lifestyle – focusses on
supporting a strong, enduring traditional Vuntut Gwitchin
lifestyle, with Elders passing teachings and language to youth,
both in the community and out on the land.
- Our past shapes our future – focuses on honouring the enduring
human presence in the park by further understanding and managing
the park's cultural resources.
- Experiencing and appreciating the Vuntut Gwitchin lands and
waters – focuses on providing opportunities to learn about and
experience the park, Vuntut Gwitchin history, language and
culture.
Parks Canada and the Vuntut
Gwitchin First Nation cooperatively manage Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii
(Vuntut National Park), with the North Yukon Renewable Resource
Council playing a critical role. This work is guided by the Vuntut
Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement and an operational agreement
defining the park's planning and management roles,
responsibilities, and procedures.
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation ts'at North Yukon Renewable
Resources Council nihah gwitr'it t'agogwah'in, denehtl'eh
Management Plan, Vuntut National Park eenjit Van Tat Gwich'in,
diiyah gwitchin kat ts'at juu nanh eenjit k'agogwaadhat goots'at
tr'igikhe' nits'oo jii dinehtl'eh, Management Plan, Parks Canada
nits'oo gwiinzii nanh gik'agahanahtyaa nanh ch'iizrit ts'o' nits'oo
nanh gwjiuu'ee ts'at nits'oo tth'aii hee vakak tr'igwindaii,
Canada gwizhit, dinjii zhuh kat
Yukon gwizhit [Yukon First
Nations] hah nihah gwitr'it t'agogwah'in ts'at Canadians eenjit
nanh chil'ee gahnahyaa, nanh gahnahyaa, nanh vakak nagaada'oo
gooveenjit gweeheezyaa.
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the North Yukon Renewable
Resources Council co-developed the management plan for Vuntut
National Park, considering input from citizens, the general public,
and stakeholders. Through this management plan, Parks Canada will
protect an important example of natural and cultural heritage in
Canada, collaborate with Yukon
First Nations, and provide an opportunity for Canadians to
experience our environment in meaningful ways.
The Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut National
Park) Management Plan is available on the Parks Canada website
at:
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/yt/vuntut/gestion-management/plan-directeur-management-plan-2024.
To learn more about Vuntut National Park, please visit
parkscanada.ca/vuntut.
Quote
"National historic sites, national parks, and national marine
conservation areas are a source of shared pride for all Canadians.
They protect our shared natural and cultural heritage, support
biodiversity, and tell the stories of Canada from all perspectives. I would
like to thank everyone who contributed to the management plan for
Vuntut National Park, which will help shape the future of this
treasured place. As the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, I
applaud this collaborative effort to ensure Vuntut National
Park continues to protect our shared national heritage."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault,
Minister of
Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks
Canada
"Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut National Park) protects a large
area of the Vuntut Gwitchin Traditional Territory. The Park ensures
that culturally and environmentally significant places are
protected, providing habitat for Porcupine caribou and many other
species, and benefitting present and future generations of Vuntut
Gwitchin Citizens.
The Management Plan is a collaborative effort founded on values
shared by the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Parks Canada, and the
North Yukon Renewable Resource Council. It is an important part of
the ongoing implementation of our Final Agreement. We look forward
to continuing this meaningful work together as we manage this
beautiful and important region."
Pauline Frost
Chief
of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Quick Facts
- The 4,345-square-kilometre Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut
National Park) sits within the Traditional Territory of the Vuntut
Gwitchin, also known as "People of the Lakes," in the northwest
corner of the Yukon.
- The park was established in 1995 as part of the Vuntut
Gwitchin First Nation Final Agreement to conserve, protect and
present to Canadians a portion of the Northern Yukon Natural
Region, to recognize Vuntut Gwitchin history and culture and to
protect the traditional and current use of the park by the Vuntut
Gwitchin.
- Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut National Park) is located
within a major cultural and subsistence area of the Vuntut
Gwitchin, whose presence in the park is important not only for the
continuation of their culture but also for understanding changes
occurring on the land and providing guidance for park
management.
- The park protects an important portion of the spring, summer
and fall migration range of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and provides
a crucial connection to the calving grounds within Ivvavik National
Park to the north.
- The southern third of the park is made up of a portion of the
wetlands and lakes of Van Tat/Old
Crow Flats, which is one of the most significant wetlands in the
Yukon, used by up to half a
million waterfowl every year, and listed as a Wetland of
International Importance under the United Nations Ramsar
Convention.
Associated Links
Vuntut National Park of Canada
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
North Yukon Renewable Resources Council
Parks Canada, Yukon Facebook
Parks Canada, Yukon Twitter
SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)