Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 2, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Roughly 30 Yellowknifers came out Monday night to hear the possible plans for the Nahanni National Park Reserve expansion.

Jonas Antoine of Dehcho First Nations, and a member of the Nahanni Expansion Working Group, addresses a crowd at Northern United Place on Monday night. - Cara Loverock/ NNSL photo

Representatives from the Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada made a presentation at Northern United Place of the plans, which include three options for a new boundary.

"We want to balance conservation with economic issues to protect the ecological activity and future economic development," said Steve Catto, a park estate officer with Parks Canada.

The main concern of the Dehcho First Nations is to protect the water, said Dehcho representative, Jonas Antoine. "We have been directed by the leaders to protect the whole watershed and the elders as well," said Antoine, "It's very, very important not to forget our spiritual connection to the land."

After the hour-long presentation, which included topics such as wildlife protection and mineral and energy resources in the area, people were given the chance to speak.

Many in the audience raised concerns over the protection of the water and stressed the need to protect the area for aboriginal people and their livelihood.

The presenters said they were happy with the strong opinions voiced by the audience.

"People are reacting with interest to park expansion," said Catto, "It's trying to wrestle with issues and find balance to make sure, at the end of the day, we make the right decision."

The working group overseeing the development plans include four people, two from Parks Canada and two from the Dehcho community.

Public opinion will be gathered throughout the month of November and the final boundary recommendation will be made by early December to the federal government.

According to Catto, after the recommendation is submitted, "It becomes a negotiation between Dehcho First Nation and the federal government."

There were also four other public meetings held to discuss this issue, in Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard and Ottawa.