Hyslop Lake camp took place from Sept 17-20, 2013.  It was a pilot project organized in partnership between Tłı̨chǫ Government, Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board (WLWB) and Wek'èezhìi Renewable Resources Board (WRRB) to conduct baseline monitoring conditions of fish and water in the very important Hyslop Lake and Burke Lake Creek area.  The importance of this area was expressed during the Fortune Mineral public hearings held in the summer of 2012 and also during a Tlicho Wildlife workshop held in Gameti in the winter of 2013.  The data collected will be baseline data to tell us what conditions are like now prior to any development so that we can compare to potential changes if/when development happens in the future.  This was an opportunity for many of the environmental monitors previously trained by the Department of Culture and Lands Protection (DCLP) to gain field experience to practice what they learned in the training sessions. 

We collected water samples to test for heavy metals and other contaminants. We also set two nets to study the general health of fish. The official lab results are not in yet, but we caught 110 fish in 13 hours and they were generally very healthy. Masi cho to Elder Louie Zoe from Gameti who provided us guidance on where to camp, set nets and collect water samples. 

This project is a part of the broader ‘Marian lake Environmental Stewardship Program’ that is being initiated by the DCLP and WLWB and we look forward to continuing to work with community members to guide us on its implementation and continue to participate in it.

For more information contact:

Kerri Garner
Lands Director
Lands Protection Department
Tłı̨chǫ Government
Box 412, Behchokǫ̀, NT, X0E 0Y0
Phone:  867-392-6381 Ext 1355