Nan Thok Natr'iniin'aii (Vuntut National Park) Management Plan Tabled in Parliament

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)

Contacts: Kathy Burden, Public Relations & Communications Officer, Yukon Field Unit, 867-333-9458, [email protected]; Media Relations,Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, [email protected]