The proposed Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve (pronounced: Th-eye-den-nay Nen-nay) covers an area of 14,000 square kilometres in the Northwest Territories.
LUTSEL K’E, NT – Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Oshawa, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, launched consultations for the proposed boundaries of Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.
The proposed Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve (pronounced: Th-eye-den-nay Nen-nay) covers an area of 14,000 square kilometres in the Northwest Territories. It will protect an outstanding example of the Northwestern Boreal Uplands Natural Region, where the landscape transitions from boreal forest to tundra. It will also support local employment and help strengthen the local and regional economies.
Thaidene Nene’s spectacular wilderness has always been important to local residents and attracts many visitors each year. The community of Lutsel K’e will serve as the gateway, whether by water or by air, to the proposed park.
Proposed Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve Boundary for Consultation.
The national park reserve will also highlight important cultural features including the historic villages and gathering sites of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, the historic fort at Reliance and the traditional hunting and fishing areas of the Akaitcho First Nation members and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation.
Parks Canada has worked in close cooperation with the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Metis Nation and other stakeholders on the proposal for this national park reserve. Consultation on the proposed boundaries will now begin.
The creation of Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve will contribute to Canada’s National Conservation Plan with concrete action to conserve Canada’s lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature.
Quick Facts
- The proposed Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve features the Kahochella and Douglas Peninsulas of the Great Slave Lake’s East Arm, the Lockhart River’s canyons, Tyrrell Falls, Parry Falls and Christie Bay, which is the deepest fresh water body in North America. Lands for this proposed park have been set aside since 1970.
- The landscape is an important wintering area for several herds of barren-ground caribou and supports many other species including wolf, moose, bear and great-horned owl.
- Visitors will be able to experience a range of activities, such as fishing, hiking and boating, as well as back country activities, such as white-water canoeing and kayaking or multi-day adventures following Pike’s Portage into the heart of Thaidene Nene.
- Thaidene Nene means “land of our ancestors” in Chipewyan, one of the languages of the people of the North.
“Our Government is committed to protecting the naturally and culturally significant Thaidene Nene area and to bringing more employment and economic opportunities to the local Aboriginal communities. Progress on Thaidene Nene builds upon one of the greatest periods of conservation in Canada’s history under our Government that includes the creation of Qausuittuq and Ukkusiksalik national parks, Naats’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area and Rouge National Urban Park”, said Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Oshawa.
The Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, said, “This is an excellent post-devolution example of three levels of government – federal, territorial and Aboriginal – working collaboratively to resolve a long-outstanding matter of great importance in a very beautiful and ecologically, culturally and economically complex area of Canada. We congratulate Minister Aglukkaq on this announcement and look forward to continuing to work to achieve the interests of northerners in Thaidene Nene.”
“In accordance with our understanding of the peace and friendship treaty we made with Canada in 1900, the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation has brought forward a vision of joint stewardship and shared responsibility for Thaidene Nene, the core of our homeland. We are pleased the Government of Canada is working with us to achieve this vision, and is committed to celebrating the long history of our people in Thaidene Nene and our continuing northern lifestyle. We believe the boundaries we are proposing for Thaidene Nene optimize ecological, cultural, and economic values in the region”, said Chief Felix Lockhart, Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation
“The Northwest Territory Metis Nation looks forward to continuing the government-to- government collaborative process to establish the Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve while accommodating the Aboriginal interests of the Aboriginal government partners”, said President Garry Bailey, Northwest Territory Metis Nation.
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