GNWT unveils plan for Thaidene Nene
National park component remains significant, additional area withdrawn for possible development
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Monday, July 20, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A public meeting on the proposed boundaries for Thaidene Nene park was met with mixed reaction June 15 as more than 50 people filled the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife.
For the most part, attendees reacted positively to the finalized design for the territorial and national parks, a plan that has been in the making for some 45 years.
Some expressed fear that traditional activities would not be permitted in the conservation area, but Department of Environment and Natural Resources Minister Michael Miltenberger was able to assuage these concerns. Most people at the meeting seemed satisfied by the amount of land set aside for mineral exploration.
Thaidene Nene covers a total area of 33,500 square kilometres, encompassing the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and includes boreal forest and tundra. Approximately 12,000 square kilometres have been set aside for the territorial designation with the remainder divided into a national park, wildlife protection area and zones identified for the possibility of future mineral development. Mineral testing of the area identified gold, diamond and earth metal deposits.
Originally, negotiators with Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation were in talks with the federal government to designate Thaidene Nene a national park, but with devolution, administration of land was passed down to the GNWT. Since then, the territorial government has stepped in to advocate for a smaller national park portion. Amendments to the Territorial Parks Act will ensure activities such as hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, dog sledding, camping and fishing will still be allowed in the area.
"Our intention is not to add red tape or cost or aggravation to folks," Miltenberger told the audience. "We do want to recognize it's going to be a park ... the intent is to make sure Northerners are not restricted."
DeBeers aboriginal affairs and stakeholder relations manager Suzanne Mondoux congratulated the GNWT on protecting its ecosystem and wildlife but said the North needs to take a more proactive approach to industrial development.
"We are very keen on the whole 'not in my backyard' approach to exploration and extracting our own resources," she said. "I think when we're developing a policy ... the restrictions need to be very limited so we can, to the maximum, explore and extract our own resources."
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) board member Peter Redvers said there are often misconceptions that conservation areas are somehow a restriction on economic activity and cautioned that often cleaning up the aftermath of industry cancels out any revenue generated - as was the case with Giant Mine in Yellowknife.
"If we were to calculate the amount of (industrial) value in that land, the money might last 20 or 30 years, compared to having an area that can be productive from an ecological perspective for 100 or 500 years," he said. "The economic value in the long term, when the land is not damaged or polluted or contaminated - when it's still reasonably pristine - is huge."
Miltenberger said there needs to be a balance in the territory between conservation and exploration, emphasizing the NWT economy is dependent on resource development.
"We get half of our GDP from the diamond mines," he said. "If they weren't here the North would be in very, very dire straights and if the time comes and we don't find a replacement or solution there's going to be a downturn to our economy."
Libby Whittall Catling and her husband Roger Catling are the only permanent residents inside the park boundary with their home located on Fairchild Point near the Fort Reliance historical site. Catling said they have been told Parks Canada will determine what will happen to their two acres of property.
"The GNWT tells us that Parks Canada has their own agenda for this area and the GNWT will not be the ones advising us," she told News/North in an e-mail. "We are hoping to have direct communication with Parks Canada and are looking into ways to make that happen as soon as possible."
Because of the area's history and cultural significance, Catling says she is glad it will be protected.
"We have ancient teepee rings right beside us and the legend of the great beaver is closely tied to the point we reside on," she explained. "The Maufelly Narrows, which we overlook, will be a focal point of the national park as it is the gateway into Thaidene Nene."
Overall, she said they are happy with the final boundary plan.
"We are very glad to see more mineral exploration happening in the territory and feel these new park boundaries are a good balance between protecting the beauty of the East Arm and much needed future economic development."
The department will continue to gather public feedback in order to compile a report to cabinet in August. After this, final boundaries will be confirmed and a land transfer agreement will be completed with Parks Canada.
