Establishing Dinàgà Wek’èhodì as a Territorial Park
The Tłįchǫ Government is working with the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the establishment of the North Arm Protected Area - Dinàgà Wek’èhodì. This area has been identified as important habitat for migratory birds, as well as other wildlife including woodland caribou and moose. It is a culturally significant area to the people of Behchokǫ̀ and other Tłįchǫ communities.
Since 2008, the Dinàgà Wek’èhodì Working Group (DWWG) has been working to assess the cultural, ecological and economic value of Dinàgà Wek’èhodì and to make recommendations on its establishment. Through five assessments completed as part of the Protected Area Strategy, the Final Report summarizes the high cultural, ecological and economic value of Dinàgà Wek’èhodì, including:
- Extensive traditional use by surrounding communities, due primarily to the abundance of wildlife, including fish, game and furbearing animals;
- Strong cultural and spiritual connection including many birth and burial sites;
- Overlaps with North Arm Important Bird Area and CWS North Arm Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat Site, where it supports over 1% of the national bird populations;
- Nine Species at Risk occur there;
- Low overall potential for non-renewable resources;
- Low overall potential for mineral resources within the candidate area;
- Wildlife and plants are the most important renewable resources due to their cultural and traditional value, opportunities for subsistence harvesting, trapping and non-timber forest products, including berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants;
- High economic value from tourism, current and potential, with four licensed operators.
The Tłįchǫ Government is committed to advancing protection for Dinàgà Wek’èhodì and will dedicate resources from its Department of Culture and Lands Protection. We are planning for public engagement activities to better understand public values and concerns as we work towards establishing the Dinàgà Wek’èhodì Territorial Park. Stay tuned!
For more information, please contact:
Department of Culture and Lands Protection.
Tłįchǫ Ndek'àowo / Tłįchǫ Government
Box 412, Behchoko, NT, X0E 0Y0
Phone: 867-392-6381 extension 1356
