Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The federal government announced the largest interim land withdrawal in Canadian history last week, moving to protect more than 10 million hectares of land in the NWT.

A map marks out Ramparts River and wetlands, a massive area withdrawn by the federal government, which could be made into a wildlife reserve. - photo courtesy of Environment Canada

The announcement came Nov. 21, as Environment Canada and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs held a press conference in Ottawa, attended by a slew of Northern representatives.

"In just the last 12 months, we have delivered real action on conservation," said Environment Minister John Baird in a following press release.

"We are doing even more by withdrawing massive areas from industrial development to protect some of the most impressive ecological and cultural wonders in the North for generations to come."

The land has been put aside in two massive chunks: One surrounding the east arm of Great Slave Lake, including areas around Lutsel K'e and Reliance, as part of the Akaitcho land claims process; and another west of Fort Good Hope, encompassing the Ramparts River and wetlands region. In total, the area covers 100,000-square-kilometers - nearly twice the size of Nova Scotia.

In a press teleconference from Ottawa following the announcement, Dene leaders applauded the move, which was signed by cabinet Nov. 1.

"This land withdrawal gives us the tools to protect certain lands while the negotiations are continued," said Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris of the East Arm preservation.

"The Akaitcho has been taking a beating for many years," Sangris said of the encroachment of mining and exploration interests into disputed lands.

"This is a great day for all Akaitcho people."

Environment Canada also announced a $3 million feasibility study into the creation of a National Park in the Great Slave portion, as well as $830,000 into the establishment of the Ramparts River and Wetlands National Wildlife Area.

"This is an area we want to protect," said Lutsel K'e Chief Adeline Jonasson of the East Arm. "This area is of significance spiritually and culturally."

The land will be held until March 2012, by which time the chiefs hope to have most negotiations wrapped up.

Sharon Venne, chief negotiator for the Akaitcho, said the order to withdraw the lands includes a clause to extend the withdrawal if necessary.

While some land issues could be cleared up in the next couple of years, she said final negotiations could last another decade.

"The timetable, to some extent, is not in our hands," she said. "It's in the hands of the federal government."

Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington praised the Conservative government for its moves towards conservation.

"This is a good news story," he said.

However, he said the minority government can still do more to directly protect the environment, particularly on issues such as the Alberta tar sands and global warming.

"We haven't seen any progress on that," he said.

Bevington said he was most pleased to see the feasibility studies put into place, and supports the creation of national parks and wildlife preserves in the withdrawn areas.

"One-hundred years from now, when wilderness will be at an absolute premium around the world, our children will be very thankful that we have set this aside."

The Akaitcho land claim encompasses 230,000-square-kilometres and approximately 2,500 people living in the communities of Fort Resolution, Dettah, Lutsel K'e and Ndilo.