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The operational management board and shared management partners for Thaidene Nëné have released a draft relationship plan for the protected area and are inviting the public to provide feedback.
The draft plan, titled Thaıdene Nëné badı xá, will be the first for the Indigenous protected area, which was established in the NWT in 2019. It includes a set of guiding principles, a long-term vision for Thaıdene Nëné, and several goals and objectives.
“This plan will lay the foundation for the future, ensuring countless generations to come will be able to care for and benefit from Thaıdene Nëné,” Addie Jonasson, chairperson of Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı – the operational management board for the protected area – was quoted as saying in a news release.
“Our aim in releasing this draft to the public is to ensure Indigenous governments, stakeholders and Canadians have an opportunity to provide input on the future direction of Thaıdene Nëné.”
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Protected areas are often guided by management plans. Thaıdene Nëné badı xá states this plan is instead being called a relationship plan as the term “management” implies control and ownership over the land and separation between the land and people, which is inconsistent with Indigenous worldviews.
Thaıdene Nëné, meaning “Land of the Ancestors” in Dënesųłı̨né Yati, encompasses 26,376 square kilometres and includes a national park reserve, a territorial protected area and a territorial wildlife conservation area. It is co-managed by Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Parks Canada and the NWT government.
The relationship plan for Thaıdene Nëné is founded in nuwé ch’anıe, or Dene values and knowledge systems including responsibilities to care for the land, water and wildlife.
The plan’s goals include promoting nuwé ch’anıe, sustaining the ecological integrity of Thaıdene Nëné, maintaining healthy relationships, creating good visitor knowledge and experience, and supporting opportunities that strengthen Indigenous prosperity and well-being.
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The plan will be reviewed every ten years.
Community engagement sessions on the draft plan have been scheduled in the following locations:
- In Yellowknife at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre on March 25 from 6-8:30pm;
- In Łútsël K’é at Zah Lockhart Hall on March 26 from 6-8pm;
- In Fort Smith at Roaring Rapids Hall on April 9 from 6-8pm;
- In Fort Resolution at the community hall on April 10 from 5-7pm;
- In Hay River at the Métis Council Facility on April 11 from 6-8pm;
- And in Dettah and N’dilo at a time and location to be determined.
People are invited to provide feedback on the draft plan by April 28. Comments can be submitted by email to thaidene.nene@pc.gc.ca, or online on the NWT government’s Have Your Say website starting March 21.
