Park will protect East Arm of Great Slave Lake
July 29, 2015 – Łutsël K’e, Northwest Territories - Parks Canada
Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Oshawa, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today launched consultations for the proposed boundaries of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve.
The proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve (pronounced: Th-eye-den-nay Nen-nay) covers an area of 14,000 square kilometres in the Northwest Territories. It will protect an outstanding example of the Northwestern Boreal Uplands Natural Region, where the landscape transitions from boreal forest to tundra. It will also support local employment and help strengthen the local and regional economies.
Thaidene Nëné’s spectacular wilderness has always been important to local residents and attracts many visitors each year. The community of Łutsël K’e will serve as the gateway, whether by water or by air, to the proposed park.
The national park reserve will also highlight important cultural features including the historic villages and gathering sites of the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, the historic fort at Reliance and the traditional hunting and fishing areas of the Akaitcho First Nation members and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.
Parks Canada has worked in close cooperation with the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and other stakeholders on the proposal for this national park reserve. Consultation on the proposed boundaries will now begin.
The creation of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve will contribute to Canada’s National Conservation Plan with concrete action to conserve Canada’s lands and waters and connect Canadians to nature.
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
