Sahtu national park nearly formalized
Minister Aglukkaq introduces bill in Ottawa that would officially create a 4,895-square-kilometre national park
Laura Busch
Northern News Services
Published Monday, May 19, 2014
NAHANNI
After nearly a decade of negotiations for a national park at the headwaters of the Nahanni basin in the Sahtu, federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq has introduced a bill that would formally establish Naats'ihch'oh National Reserve Park.
"The formal creation of Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve will not only ensure the protection of this ecologically and cultural important area of Canada's North, but will also serve to create tourism opportunities in the Northwest Territories," Agglukaq said while announcing the bill May 14.
Premier Bob McLeod welcomed the announcement, saying the park will both preserve a culturally and spiritually significant area for the people of the Tulita district and protect an important calving ground for mountain caribou.
"Our government was pleased to join with Canada and the people of the Sahtu in creating the the Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve," said McLeod. "Successful collaboration and effective partnerships between the territorial, federal and aboriginal governments will continue to be a critical part of how our government will exercise its new powers and authorities to protect Northern lands and waters while managing responsible, sustainable development."
Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve - Canada's 44th national park - will protect 4,895 square kilometres on the Northern side of the Nahanni National Park Reserve. Together, the two parks will encompass 86 per cent of the South Nahanni watershed.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the establishment of the new park while on his seventh Northern tour as prime minister in Norman Wells in August of 2012.
"The creation of this new national park reserve will further protect the rich natural wonders and cultural heritage of Canada's sovereign North," he said at that time.
"It will also generate employment for those living in the Northwest Territories, who will contribute to the stewardship and conservation of the park reserve's lands and waters and educate visitors on the natural history and culture of the region."
Once the park is formally established, the vision is for travellers on the South Nahanni River to be able to put in at the Moose Ponds of Naats'ihch'oh mountain, a mountain of significant spiritual meaning for Mountain Dene from which the park gets its name.
