Consultation on Final Recommended Plan for the Peel Watershed begins

Sep. 24, 2018

Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun

The parties responsible for completing the Regional Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed have launched the final consultation with affected communities and stakeholders on the Final Recommended Plan.

The Government of Yukon, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council invite the public to provide input on the Final Recommended Plan.

Community meetings will be held in Old Crow, Whitehorse, Dawson City, Mayo, Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson. These meetings will provide the public with the chance to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. An online survey is also available until mid-November. This is the last opportunity for public input into the plan.

Quotes

We are proud to be working alongside the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council to finalize the plan for the Peel Watershed. We want to hear from the affected communities and stakeholders to ensure the plan reflects their values and charts a positive course forward for this important area.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai

We are very happy to be moving forward on the regional land use plan for the Peel Watershed together with our partners. We look forward to hearing from the affected communities and the public in the months ahead so that we can finalize and implement the plan.

Minister of Environment Pauline Frost

We are looking forward to making the plan a reality, working in close collaboration with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Government of Yukon. Our people have been waiting a long time for this, and I’m optimistic after many years of land use planning that we’ll soon have a finalized plan.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph

This has been a long journey for all of us and adherence to our final agreements is important, so we look forward to a swift closure to this process. The Vuntut Gwitchin express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone, as we conclude the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan as it’s important to Our people, Yukoners and Canadians alike.

Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Bruce Charlie

We are pleased to work with our fellow First Nations in Yukon to uphold our rights and interests inherited from our ancestors who live and breathed the land, water and air of the Peel Watershed, and to work with the Government of Yukon to uphold our agreements and obligations to our future generations.

Gwich’in Tribal Council president Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan

It’s time to bring this ship into port. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, let’s work together and get it done.

First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Simon Mervyn

Quick Facts

• The five parties signed a letter of understanding on August 1, 2018, that confirms a commitment to work collaboratively to complete, approve and implement a Regional Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed that reflects the objectives of the Final Agreements.
• This consultation is on the Final Recommended Plan presented by the Peel Planning Commission in July of 2011.
• The parties will consider all input that is consistent with the direction provided by the Supreme Court of Canada, which requires that any modifications must be minor or reflect changing circumstances since the plan was originally written. They will make this input available to the public afterwards.
• After consultation with the general public, the parties will consult with each other. The goal of this consultation is to achieve a shared position on the plan. Following this, the parties will work together to approve and implement a Final Regional Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed.

Contact

Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca

Sue Thomas
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-5809
sue.thomas@gov.yk.ca

Wayne Potoroka
Communications, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
867-993-7100 x 108
wayne.potoroka@trondek.ca

Darius Elias
Fish & Wildlife Manager, Vuntut Gwitchin Government
867-996-3261 x 222
fwman@vgfn.net

Tony Devlin
Communications, Gwich’in Tribal Council
867-777-7923
Tony.Devlin@gwichintribal.ca

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