YT Government: Historic signing of management plan

May 23, 2018

Today, the Chiefs of Selkirk First Nation and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, and Minister Pauline Frost, officially signed off on the management plan for the Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area.

The First Nation and territorial governments are pleased to announce the formal establishment and legal protection of the Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area for present and future generations.

This environmentally and culturally rich area is located between the Pelly and Stewart Rivers and is important to the Northern Tutchone people. The management plan recommends continued cultural use, fish and wildlife conservation uses, no commercial activity and no off-road vehicles use in the area.

Establishing joint management plans for areas like Ddhaw Ghro is important work that brings First Nation Final Agreements to life and fosters reconciliation.

Ddhaw Ghro, like all of Yukon’s Habitat Protection Areas, is a space to preserve habitat, practice conservation and safeguard traditional First Nation practices. By working together with First Nations, we were able to develop and agree upon a management plan that will now shape this area today and in the years to come – preserving this area as a legacy for our future generations.

Minister of Environment Pauline Frost

The Ddhaw Ghro Management Plan will require on-going collaboration between the Selkirk First Nation, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Yukon Government. There will be new challenges for the community-based implementation team who will work closely with Northern Tutchone people to identify potential management activities. Northern Tutchone people value and appreciate the natural resources that surround them and look forward to participating in the implementation of the Ddhaw Ghro Management Plan. Thank you to everyone who worked on this plan over the years to help keep our land and animals healthy for generations to come.

Selkirk First Nation Chief Sharon Nelson

On behalf of the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun, I thank and congratulate all the people that worked so hard to make this a reality, including many elders that have now passed on. This agreement honours the intent of their contributions and we look forward to enjoying the land and pristine values of our beautiful country for many years to come.

First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun Chief Simon Mervyn

Quick Facts

• Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area is approximately 1,600 square kilometres in size and will now be managed under the Wildlife Act in accordance with its approved management plan.
• This Habitat Protection Area was identified by the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Selkirk First Nation and the Government of Yukon under Chapter 10 of the Final Agreements.

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.ykc.a

Erin Loxam
Communications, Envrionment
867-393-7442
erin.loxam@gov.yk.ca

Diana Dawson
Selkirk First Nation
867-537-3331 ext. 214
dawsond@selkirkfn.com

Joella Hogan
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun
867-996-2265 ext. 116
heritagemgr@nndfn.com

NT5