gtc press release feb 4 2014
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/13/2019 GTC Press Release Feb 4 2014
1/2
1 | P a g e
Press Release
Inuvik NT
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Re: Gwichin Tribal Council intends to challenge the Yukons unilateral development and
adoption of a newPeel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan through litigation
On January 21, 2014, the Yukon government announced its approval of a regional land use plan
for the Peel Watershed over the objections of the Gwichin Tribal Counciland contrary to land
use planning process requirements.
The Gwichin people have strong ties to the Peel Watershed. This connection was recognized by
the Crown through the establishment of the Peel River Preserve in 1921, the creation of the Fort
McPherson Group Trapping Area in the early 1950s and the protection of rights for theGwichin within the Yukon in the Yukon Transboundary Agreementof 1992.
The Peel River Watershed is in our shared Traditional Territory with the North Yukon First
Nations of Nacho Nyak Dun, Trondk Hwchin and Vuntut Gwitchin. Inherent rights to hunt,
trap, fish and to have access to water are provided for in the Transboundary Agreementof the
Gwichin Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. The Gwichin alsohas fee simple title to land
in the Primary Use Area, said GTC Vice President Norman Snowshoe.
In recognition of these rights, the Transboundary Agreement guarantees the Gwichin Tribal
Council a right to participate in any land use planning process relating to the primary use area in
the Peel Watershed. When the Peel Watershed Planning Commission was established in 2004,
the GTC was optimistic that it would result in a plan that would protect the exercise of Gwichin
-
8/13/2019 GTC Press Release Feb 4 2014
2/2
2 | P a g e
rights in sacred areas of the Peel Watershed. Such protection would be for the benefit of
Gwichin and northerners alike.
The Final Recommended Plan proposed by the Commission was a compromise for the Gwichin,
who had made it clear that they wanted the entire Peel region to be protected from resource
development. However, the GTC supported, and continues to support, the Final Recommended
Plans proposed protection of 80% of the Peel Watershed, and its focus on sustainable
development.
Despite the Gwichins good faith participation in this process, the Yukon government has
drastically and unilaterally re-written the operative elements of the Final Recommended Plan,
significantly reducing the protections for the Peel Watershed. The Yukon governments new plan
will allow substantial development in critical parts of the Peel Watershed, threatening
Gwichinscontinued connection to this sacred area.
Accordingly, the GTC intends to challenge the Yukons unilateral development and adoption of
the new land use plan through litigation. This legal challenge will be tailored to the unique
position of the Gwichin in the Yukon and will be supportive of the action filed by Nacho Nyak
Dun and the Trondk Hwchin First Nations. A court decision will provide clarity for the
Gwichin, Yukon and other groupson the meaning of these modern treaties and the future of the
Peel Watershed.
For further information contact:
Norman Snowshoe
Vice President
Gwichin Tribal Council
Chief Jim Koe Zheh Building
Box 1509
Inuvik, NT X0E 0J0