NAHENDEH notesCANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY-NWT CHAPTER SUMMER 09, NEWSLETTER #25

The Northwest Territories Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-NWT) is part of a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting Canada’s wilderness.

Notes of the Land

Photos: CPAWS-NWT

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Saoyú - Ö ehdachoPROTECTED!Have you heard the news? The two peninsulas of Saoyœ and Ö ehdacho on Great Bear Lake have been protected forever as a National Historic Site! Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho will be protected and managed cooperatively by the community of Délįne and Parks Canada, according to their shared vision for the site.CPAWS-NWT has been directly involved with protecting Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho since its entry into the NWT Protected Areas Strategy a decade ago. Our contributions were recognized at the official announcement in Délįne, and we count the protection of these special places as an enormous cooperative accomplishment.

PROTECTED!By Erica Janes, Conservation Coordinator

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The Big WildGoing on a wilderness adventure? Why not dedicate your next trip to wilderness preservation and take the Big Wild challenge!What is the Big Wild?The Big Wild refers to the parts of Canada that are still in their natural state; the large road less areas where rivers flow free, big lakes and oceans lap against wild shores and animals of diverse species roam as they have for thousands of years. Our vision is to keep at least half of CanadaÕ s public land and water wild forever.Who is the Big Wild?Well, it’s you and me, and every person across Canada and around the world that care about conserving our natural environment.Our Big Wild Challenge Conservation Coordinator Kris Brekke will be partnering with CPAWS members to take a Big Wild challenge during the summer of 2009. The expedition will paddle from the pristine shores of the Edaįįla Peninsula on Great Bear Lake, with the ultimate goal of exiting the Coppermine River into the Arctic Ocean at Kugluktuk (see map on page7). To learn more about the Big Wild challenge and join the collective voice for preserving our wilderness go to:

Back by popular demand! The 2nd Annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival!CPAWS-NWT is bringing the VIMFF to

Yellowknife again this fall to celebrate our

own Big Wild.

We will also be showcasing short slide shows of

Yellowknifers’ summer wilderness adventures.

Send an email to nwtadmin@cpaws.org if you’re

interested in volunteering.

Does your idea of fuelling up involve a bowl of hot oatmeal?

Are you bent on self propelling yourself through our amazing

wilderness? Sounds like fun to us and we are sure you agree. So

when you plan to bike, hike, paddle, run , climb, sail, soar or maybe

even jump from a cliff this summer, pack your camera take some

photos, bang together a one minute video or slide show and then

join us at our 2nd annual VIMFF outdoor film festival October

2009. We would love to mix in a few of your great or not so great

moments from the summer.

For more information, ticket info or to send us your one minute

video or slide show, e-mail: nwtadmin@cpaws.org

Executive Director’s Message: Lani Cooke

CPAWS-NWT is a Cheap DateThat’s what Dyan Oldenburg, conservation trainer, told us, adding quickly, “It’s meant as a compliment.” Dyan is the Executive Director of TREC (Training Resources for the Environmental Community) and she travelled from Santa Fe, New Mexico to work with our board and staff for three days each in February and April 2009. We discussed our NWT conservation plans and explored ways to diversify our funding. And she let us know that we are one of the best conservation bargains in the world today.

Apparently there are many, many conservation organizations (American and other) that are much bigger (with 30 plus staff), have way more money (we’re talking millions!), and have protected rather smallish areas of land. So we’re going to dress up a bit, put on some dancing shoes, and boast about our successes!

With our staff of three (and edging gingerly up to four), a dedicated volunteer board of six, soon to be seven if our accountant friend finds the time and our partners in the NWT Protected Area Strategy, we are working on protecting approximately 155,839 square km’s of land in the NWT.

All of this land is currently under interim protection. And in April 2009 CPAWS celebrated with the people of Délįne and the Minister of the Environment at the announcement of full, permanent surface and sub-surface protection for all 5,500 square kilometers of Saoyú - Ö ehdacho, two large peninsulas reaching into Great Bear Lake, as a National Historic Site (see our cover story).

We are waiting with nervous anticipation about a possible announcement of the expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve which will add another 28,800 square kilometers to our dance card.

So let’s kick up heels and shout a big “Yahoo for CPAWS”. We may be a cheap date, but but we have the biggest backyard in the world and we look after it!

Leslie Wakelyn, Joyce Bourne, Lani Cooke and Sandra Stirling of CPAWS-NWT and Dyan Oldenburg (seated) of TREC.

PHOTO: Craig Scott

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It must have been the heart-tugging grins and hesitant smiles of the seven little tykes sandwiched together on the lumber pile that caught our readersÕ attention.The charming 1956 photo of the children sitting next to the late Netta Pringle in Aklavik triggered much interest after its publica-tion in the Summer/Fall 2007 issue of Nahendeh Notes. The photo – snapped by Pringle’s friend Gunther Abrahamson, a resident of Ottawa Ð w as part of a tribute to Netta, a lifelong adventurer and designer of the City of YellowknifeÕ s Crest. But who were those unnamed children? Pringle family friend Bob Gamble urged Abrahamson to try to track down their names. Soon an e-mail with the image was darting around the Mackenzie Delta and beyond, like one of the regionÕ s famed mosquitoes on a mis-sion. Thanks to some very helpful residents from Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Tulita and even Terrace, British Columbia, a few answers about those children emerged.So, who are they?There is solid agreement that the first three boys from the left are Danny Lennie, Rick Rivet and the late Gordon MacLeod (Rivet’s adopted brother). The only girl in the photo is Mary Jane Leblue (née Lennie), a cousin to Rivet. It’s possible that the two boys on the far right are Maurice and Wayne Lennie. The fourth boy from the left may be either Gordie Lennie or Tommy Adams.

“We were back from our fishing and trapping camps for the sum-mer,” recalled Rivet. The lumber that the kids perched on was likely from the nearby Roy Wright Sawmill, one of the kids’ prime play areas. “We were everywhere. We played in outhouses, out in the bush, in abandoned old boats, the sawmill, on the beach. That was the thingÑe verybody lived outdoors most of the time, even in win-ter.” The Aklavik area was a rich cultural mix, home to Dene, Inuit (including families who had moved from Alaska prior to the Second World War) and Métis, as well as British, Scandinavians and other Europeans who had come down the Mackenzie in the 1920s and Ô 30s in pursuit of muskrat and other fur bearers in the resource-rich Delta. Many of these trappers stayed, married and raised families. Life in 1956 still embraced centuries-old traditions dictated by the changing seasons. So much has changed in the half century since Abrahamson snapped his friend Netta Pringle as she rolled a cigarette. No longer do break-up and freeze-up in the Delta command the flow of com-munication as formidably as they once did. Computers and e-mail have made communication instantaneous and non-stop, and even in the North, the pace of life has become increasingly hurried. Hope-fully, though, the languid mood of a lazy summer day spent on the banks of the Mackenzie long ago will remain.

Worth a thousand wordsBy Marion Soublière

A huge thank you to the Friends of Netta Pringle for funding this newsletter in her memory.

Photo: Gunther Abrahamson

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Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho is deeply linked to the history and culture of the SahtugotÕ ine, the people of Great Bear Lake. These peninsulas are alive with rich oral histories and traditional place names that help to define who the Sahtugot’ine are as a people. Through Saoyú - Ö ehdacho, Délįne’s elders pass Sahtugot’ine culture on to younger generations.

Protection of Saoyú - Ö ehdacho means conservation of a large area of intact boreal forest north of 60¡ . Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho provides important habitat for sensitive wildlife species such as Boreal woodland caribou, grizzly bears, wolverine and peregrine falcons. This site will protect a portion of the NWT’s Great Bear Lake Plain ecoregion.

The big announcement was made on April 14 in Délįne, by the Minister Responsible for Parks Canada, Jim Prentice, along with Délįne Land Corporation President Peter Menacho, Délįne Renewable Resources Council President Russel Kenny, and Délįne First Nation Chief Raymond Tutcho. A short ceremony was held to mark the announcement, which includes the establishment of a Cooperative Management Board. Gifts were exchanged, and thanks were given to those who have helped protect Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho over the years.

Délįne celebrated the occasion in style, with a delicious and well-attended community feast with trout, caribou, bannock and even a Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho cake. The grade school students did some fancy footwork jigging, and then some of the dignitaries joined in for some handgames. Community members proudly danced to the beat of their drummers, and then everyone joined in the square-dancing as the Fort Good Hope fiddlers filled the hall with music. The whole evening and afternoon were infused with a sense of contentment, accomplishment, and excitement.

Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho now becomes the cooperative responsibility of Délįne and Parks Canada to establish and manage, and CPAWS-NWT will continue to work with Délįne on completing their vision of protecting all of Great Bear Lake, starting with the third major peninsula on the lake: Edaįįla, or Caribou Point. We are also staying in touch on Saoyœ - Ö ehdacho, to provide assistance to the Cooperative Management Board where possible.

Visit our website for more on Saoyú - Ö ehdacho: www.cpawsnwt.org.

Saoyú - Ö ehdacho Protected!

The Saoyú - Ö ehdacho National Historic Site Cooperative Management Agreement follows from Parks Canada and Délįne’s work to develop a shared vision for the site, which includes:

• Setting up cultural learning and healing programs on the land; • Placing Délįne in a central role in site operations, and • Respecting Sahtugot’ine harvesting rights.

Continues from the front cover

Photo: CPAWS-NWT

Alan Latourelle, Parks Canada; Honourable Jim Prentice; Peter Menacho, Deline Land Corporation; Erica Janes, CPAWS-NWT, and Raymond Tutcho, Deline First Nation Chief at the Saoyu - ?ehdacho announcement in Deline.

Feeding the fire at ?ehdacho. Photo by Parks Canada.

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Saoyú - Ö ehdacho are two major peninsulas on the west side of Great Bear Lake, totalling over 5,500km2. Great Bear Lake is the largest lake wholly contained within Canada, and the ninth largest lake in the world.

CPAWS-NWT is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife in the Northwest Territories. Much of our funding has come from Foundations, and their contributions have been greatly reduced due to the recent financial downturn. So, we are learning about how to diversify our funding sources. Our first venture has been to hold a

Fundraising Dinner at the home of one of our board members, Sandra Stirling. We invited 20 of our most loyal supporters. This was not an easy task for us but to our delight, our supporters rose to the challenge and arrived with chequebooks in hand. Many who were unable to attend sent cheques in the mail. We got the

message that everyone wants us to keep up with our important work, and they want to help us to do it.Our dinner raised almost $13,000! Our board is thrilled. Thank you, supporters. Your generosity has made a huge difference to CPAWS-NWT.CPAWS-NWT has set itself a new fundraising goal: another $13,000 by March 31, 2010. Stay tuned!

Thanks for Digging Deep and Supporting CPAWS-NWT!

Friends and supporters of Saoyu - ?ehdacho. Photo by CPAWS-NWT

Handgames at the big celebration. Photo by CPAWS-NWT.

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A landmark scientific review conducted under Canada’s Species at Risk Act indicates that the Boreal woodland caribou in two study areas of the NWT may not survive unless immediate action is taken to protect and improve their habitat.CPAWS-NWT congratulates the Minister of the Environment for releasing the study entitled “Scientific Review for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Woodland Caribou” in April 2009, but is very concerned about the information it presents.The study tells us that in two areas of the Dehcho and South Slave the woodland caribou populations are declining. The reviewÕ s authors said:

• there is a 40 percent chance of survival if nothing is done to protect these populations;

• there needs to be protection of their entire current ranges to ensure no further habitat loss occurs, and

• Immediate action is needed to improve their remaining habitat.The report also provides information about other caribou populations, including the Bistcho and Steen River populations, which range in both Alberta and the NWT. Each of these populations number about 300: the Bistcho has only a 20 percent chance of survival and the Steen River has a 40 percent chance of survival if no management action is taken.CPAWS-NWT encourages the Minister to incorporate these findings into an evolving national Recovery Strategy for the

Boreal woodland caribou as soon as possible. With our mission to protect the land, water and wildlife in the NWT for current and future generations by working with NWT residents, governments, communities, and organizations, we believe that now is the time to work together to save the Boreal woodland caribou populations at risk. The Government of the NWT has drafted an Action Plan for Boreal Woodland Caribou Conservation that complements the federal Recovery Strategy, and Aboriginal people are continuing to use their traditional knowledge and understanding to ensure that caribou will survive for future generations. CPAWS-NWT would like to see all Northerners encourage our governments to protect the habitats required by these threatened woodland caribou populations. If we lose our caribou we lose the heart and soul of the North, as well as an essential food source for many Northerners.CPAWS-NWT is a partner in the NWT Protected Areas Strategy, which is currently working towards the full protection of three areas of Boreal woodland caribou habitat in the Dehcho region: Sambaa K’e (Trout Lake), Ka’a’gee Tu (Kakisa), and Edehzhie (Horn Plateau).

Low Chance of Survival for Two NWT Boreal Woodland Caribou PopulationsBy Lani Cooke, Executive Director

L: 2 yearlings. Photo credit: Douglas Tate R: Cow and calf. Photo credit: Kelly Bluck

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PROTECTED AREA BRIEFS By Kris Brekke, Conservation Coordinator

Ts’ude niline Tu’eyeta (Ramparts, Sahtu): A Draft Management Plan is being developed with CWS .Status: PAS Step 5.

Shutagot’ine Nene (Sahtu): A sponsorship proposal has been submitted to CWS for sponsorship. An ecological assessment has been completed, and cultural work is ongoing. Status: PAS Step 3.

Sahoyú - Ö ehdacho (Sahtu): April 2009: April 2009: the Minister Responsible for Parks Canada travelled to Délįne to formally announce the signing of the Cooperative Management Agreement and completion of the land transfer to Parks Canada. Status: PAS Step 7.

Nááts’ihch’oh (Nahanni Headwaters, Sahtu): Official interim land withdrawal was secured in April 2008. Negotiations between the Tulita District Land Corporation and Parks Canada continue. Status: interim protection, not part of PAS.

Edéhzhíe (Horn Plateau, Dehcho): The interim land withdrawal was extended until October 2010. Boundary discussions are ongoing. Status: PAS Step 5 (CWS sponsor).

Sambaa K’e (Trout Lake, Dehcho): Various assessments are ongoing or nearing completion. Status: PAS Step 5 (CWS sponsor).

Ka’a’gee Tu (Dehcho): Regional support secured and boundary recently expanded to include additional culturally and ecologically significant areas. The community has submitted a proposal to CWS for National Wildlife Area designation. Status: PAS Step 3.

Edaįįla (Caribou Point, Sahtu): The Edaįįla Team has submitted a proposal to CWS for National Wildlife Area designation. Status: PAS Step 3.

Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh (Dehcho): A proposal has been submitted to ITI for protection under the Territorial Parks Act. Meetings to consider the proposal began in April 2009. Status: seeking to complete PAS Step 3.

Thaidene Nene (Akaitcho): Parks Canada has identified a National Park study area that meets representation, ecological integrity and visitor enjoyment objectives. The study area covers 33,525 km2. Parks Canada is consulting with Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation and the NWT Metis Nation on feasibility. Status: not part of PAS.

Nahanni National Park Reserve (Dehcho): On June 9 2009, Parks Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs and Dehcho First Nations announced the expansion of the Park Reserve to over seven times its original size. Check our website and stay tuned for the next newsletter for more details.

Buffalo Lake River and Trails (Dehcho): Interim protection currently through Dehcho Land Use Plan (boundaries match PAS proposal). Status: PAS Step 2.

PAS = NWT Protected Areas StrategyCWS = Canadian Wildlife ServiceITI = GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment

NWT PAS Steps:1. Identify priority area of interest2. Prepare protected area proposal and seek regional support3. Ask a Sponsoring Agency to sponsor the area and submit proposal4. Apply for interim protection for the candidate area5. Evaluate candidate area6. Seek formal establishment of protected area7. Approve and designate protected area8. Implement, monitor and review protected area

Join the CPAWS-NWT Board! We are looking for new Board members, including an accountant to serve as Treasurer. Contact Leslie Wakelyn (wakelyn@theedge.ca) by the end of July.

Board of Directors Joyce Bourne Christian Bucher Terri BuggSandra StirlingLeslie Wakelyn Tracey Williams

StaffLani Cooke Kristofer BrekkeErica JanesLouise BoettgerPascale Savage

Newsletter layoutJennifer Luckay

(jenluckay@theedge.ca)

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NAHENDEH NOTES CAN BE EMAILED! If you would rather receive a pdf copy of our newsletter, please send an email to nwtadmin@cpaws.org and we will add you to our electronic distribution list.

Summer student Pascale Savage has recently

joined the CPAWS-NWT team for the summer

season of 2009. She is currently working on

completing her undergraduate degree in

biology at the University of Dalhousie in hopes

to someday pursue a career in conservation

and fisheries management. She was born and

raised in the north and enjoys spending her

time outdoors, on the water, and traveling. She is

always up for new adventures and we are really

pleased to have her on board for the summer.

 

New Board Director Christian Bucher has

been calling the NWT home for over 30

years. He loves the north and its people

and spends much of his free time outdoors,

paddling, backpacking, skiing, and hunting.

Over the years Christian has worked as a

biologist, park warden and National Park

manager from the southern reaches of the

territory to the high Arctic. Christian favors

a resource management approach that

integrates resource development, other

human activities, and protection of the

natural and cultural environment.