Yellowknife (May 31/04) - A move is underway to have the Mackenzie designated a heritage river.

If the idea is successful, the Mackenzie would join two other heritage rivers in the NWT -- the Arctic Red River and the South Nahanni River.

Gerry LePrieur says such designations are not legislative, but simply a way to recognize the history and importance of certain rivers.

"It's a celebratory sort of thing," says RWED's director of parks and the recently named chairperson of the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board.

LePrieur says the Mackenzie is significant for many reasons.

It has a lot of history for aboriginal people, he notes. "Their history, their culture and their lifestyles were influenced by the river."

LePrieur also notes the Mackenzie is the longest river in Canada and opened up the North to exploration. "It is one of the most important rivers in Canada when it comes right down to it."

A heritage designation would help promote the river to tourists, he says, noting many people are history buffs, while others like to kayak or canoe heritage rivers.

One more year

RWED and Mackenzie communities have been working for about a year to prepare the case to make the Mackenzie a heritage river, LePrieur says. "A fair amount of work has already been done."

The inaugural meeting of a committee, consisting of RWED and community representatives, was held last week to continue the work.

"We're kind of hoping to get it finished in one more year," LePrieur says.

A designation as a heritage river would be made by the federal minister of Canadian Heritage.