Federal Government allocates funding toward Tłı̨chǫ Lands

4 March, 2020

Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) signed an agreement that will provide the Tłı̨chǫ Government with funding of up to $2 million through the Government of Canada’s Nature Fund- Target 1 Challenge initiative.

Funding will support the Tłı̨chǫ Government in reviewing and updating primarily two zones within the Tłı̨chǫ Wenek’e- Gowhadǫ̀ Yek’e t’ii k’e also known as (Traditional Use Zone) 552,100 ha and Tłı̨chǫ Nawoo Ké Dét’ahot’ìı also known as (Cultural Heritage Zone) 1,665,800 ha.

The Tłı̨chǫ Land Use Plan was developed and ratified in 2013. Section 7.9. of the Tłı̨chǫ Land Use Plan recommends that a plan review and update be completed every five years of implementation. The Tłı̨chǫ Land Use Plan supports in managing approximately 39,000 km² of Tłı̨chǫ lands. The Tłı̨chǫ Land Use Plan is meant to protect the land for its inherent worth and ecological integrity, but it is also equally important to protect the land in order to experience and learn Tłı̨chǫ history, stories, legends and their relationship with the land.

The Tłı̨chǫ have a strong relationship, with the land since the beginning of time. Tłı̨chǫ history, culture and way of life are intimately connected to the land. This connection is expressed through place names, which bring ancient knowledge forward through Tłı̨chǫ language and the implied meanings of the place names.

Contributions from ECCC toward the Tłı̨chǫ Wenek’e update process will assist Tłı̨chǫ Government to:

continue to promote and protect Tłı̨chǫ culture and way of life
support the establishment of the Territorial candidate protected area Dınàgà Wek’èhodì
contribute significantly to the achievement of territorial, national and international biodiversity conservation targets through Indigenous-led conservation efforts
promote reconciliation, advance government to government relationships, and contribute to economic diversification in the Tłı̨chǫ Region
ensure the continuation of important ecosystem services, such as clean water, waterways, and pristine cultural and spiritual landscapes
support research into climate change and climate adaptation

The Tłı̨chǫ Land Use Plan review and update is expected to be completed by 2021.

Quote:

“Our land, our culture and our way of life are what our people have always relied on and will continue to do so. The Tłı̨chǫ Wenek’e was developed through the eyes of our elders to protect and promote our way life and the transfer of knowledge to future generations. These types of partnerships will only continue to strengthen our relationship and build on reconciliation.” -Grand Chief George Mackenzie