K’asho Got’ı̨nę and GNWT celebrate the establishment of Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta Indigenous Protected Area

Fort Good Hope landscape – ©Amos Scott

November 26, 2019 (Yellowknife, NWT) Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) National Boreal Program offers a sincere congratulations to Indigenous partners, the K’asho Got’ı̨nę of the Sahtú region and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in signing, establishing and collaboratively managing a new Indigenous protected area. Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta near Fort Good Hope, NWT is a 10,000 square-kilometer internationally acclaimed area with a high volume of carbon-dense wetlands and important migratory bird and waterfowl populations.

Located in the Ramparts River watershed of the Sahtú region, Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta is a critical wetland system that provides key habitat for migratory birds and many species that are at risk, including grizzly bear, northern mountain caribou, wolverine, short-eared owl and boreal woodland caribou. Conservation of this unique place will help to preserve the cultural significance of the area, as well as its biodiversity.

Enormous concentrations of waterfowl converge upon this complex of boreal vegetation interspersed with open wetlands each spring and summer. Overall, it is one of the top three most populated areas within the broader Mackenzie River Valley in terms of waterfowl. But a warming climate and a changing landscape has created concern among the people of Fort Good Hope.

“Ducks Unlimited Canada has been working with K’asho Got’ı̨nę Dene for over 20 years to ensure that this area is conserved to protect its bounty of waterfowl and nutrient rich wetlands. This is a historic event and we will continue to support the people of K’asho Got’ı̨nę in their traditional ways of life and culture so it can be sustained for generations to come. Congratulations to all associated parties in making this historic event happen”, said Kevin Smith, National Boreal Programs Manager for DUC.”

Fort Good Hope people of the Sahtú region – ©Amos Scott

Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta is an important traditional and spiritual area where waterfowl and wildlife are abundant. This is a place where the Sahtú Dene and Métis hunt, fish, trap and live on the land as they have for generations. In this protected area, community-led stewardship and a Guardians program will play a major role in preserving its natural habitat. Local Sahtu members will be involved in the management, monitoring and protecting of the land, water, plants and animals of Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta. This sacred harvesting area represents a way of life for the Indigenous communities dependent on this land and will achieve permanent protection through this signed agreement.

About Ducks Unlimited Canada: Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment.

Learn more at ducks.ca and boreal.ducks.ca.

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For all inquiries, contact:

Sonny Lenoir, Manager, NWT
Ducks Unlimited Canada
b_lenoir@ducks.ca
(867) 873-6744