Harper Government Announces Public Consultation on Proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve

Park will protect East Arm of Great Slave Lake

ŁUTSËL K'E, NT, July 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Oshawa, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today launched consultations for the proposed boundaries of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve.

The proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve (pronounced: Th-eye-den-nay Nen-nay) covers an area of 14,000 square kilometres in the Northwest Territories. It will protect an outstanding example of the Northwestern Boreal Uplands Natural Region, where the landscape transitions from boreal forest to tundra. It will also support local employment and help strengthen the local and regional economies.

Thaidene Nëné's spectacular wilderness has always been important to local residents and attracts many visitors each year. The community of Łutsël K'e will serve as the gateway, whether by water or by air, to the proposed park.

The national park reserve will also highlight important cultural features including the historic villages and gathering sites of the Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation, the historic fort at Reliance and the traditional hunting and fishing areas of the Akaitcho First Nation members and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.

Parks Canada has worked in close cooperation with the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and other stakeholders on the proposal for this national park reserve. Consultation on the proposed boundaries will now begin.

The creation of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve will contribute to Canada's National Conservation Plan with concrete action to conserve Canada's lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature.

Quick Facts

• The proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve features the Kahochella and Douglas Peninsulas of the Great Slave Lake's East Arm, the Lockhart River's canyons, Tyrrell Falls, Parry Falls and Christie Bay, which is the deepest fresh water body in North America. Lands for this proposed park have been set aside since 1970.
• The landscape is an important wintering area for several herds of barren-ground caribou and supports many other species including wolf, moose, bear and great-horned owl.
• Visitors will be able to experience a range of activities, such as fishing, hiking and boating, as well as back country activities, such as white-water canoeing and kayaking or multi-day adventures following Pike's Portage into the heart of Thaidene Nëné.
• Thaidene Nëné means "land of our ancestors" in Chipewyan, one of the languages of the people of the North.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to protecting the naturally and culturally significant Thaidene Nëné area and to bringing more employment and economic opportunities to the local Aboriginal communities. Progress on Thaidene Nëné builds upon one of the greatest periods of conservation in Canada's history under our Government that includes the creation of Qausuittuq and Ukkusiksalik national parks, Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve, Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area and Rouge National Urban Park."

Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Oshawa

"This is an excellent post-devolution example of three levels of government - federal, territorial and Aboriginal - working collaboratively to resolve a long-outstanding matter of great importance in a very beautiful and ecologically, culturally and economically complex area of Canada. We congratulate Minister Aglukkaq on this announcement and look forward to continuing to work to achieve the interests of northerners in Thaidene Nëné."

The Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories

"In accordance with our understanding of the peace and friendship treaty we made with Canada in 1900, the Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation has brought forward a vision of joint stewardship and shared responsibility for Thaidene Nene, the core of our homeland. We are pleased the Government of Canada is working with us to achieve this vision, and is committed to celebrating the long history of our people in Thaidene Nëné and our continuing northern lifestyle. We believe the boundaries we are proposing for Thaidene Nëné optimize ecological, cultural, and economic values in the region."

Chief Felix Lockhart, Łutsël K'e Dene First Nation

"The Northwest Territory Métis Nation looks forward to continuing the government-to- government collaborative process to establish the Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve while accommodating the Aboriginal interests of the Aboriginal government partners."

President Garry Bailey, Northwest Territory Métis Nation

Related Product

Backgrounder: Proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve

Associated Links

Parks Canada 
Government of Canada moves closer to creating national park in East Arm of Great Slave Lake 
Government of Canada Takes Landmark Action to Conserve Canada's North 
The Government of Canada and Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation Take Steps to Create a New National Park on East Arm of Great Slave Lake

SOURCE Parks Canada

Image with caption: "Proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve Boundary for Consultation (CNW Group/Parks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150729_C4101_PHOTO_EN_463054.jpg

For further information: Jonathan Lefebvre, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]