The Sahtú K’aowe Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area
Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government (DGG) is working to create the Sahtú K’aowe Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). The IPCA will give DGG more management and decision-making throughout the Délı̨nę District. Sahtúgot’ı̨nę will be the eyes and the ears on the ground through
an expanded Guardians program and there will be more on-the-land activities for the community.
What is an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA)?
IPCAs are areas where Indigenous governments have the primary role to look after the lands and waters. Culture and language are the heart and soul of an IPCA. There are IPCAs across the country. Each Indigenous government finds its own way to look after the land and water, but these things are common to all:
- IPCAs are Indigenous-led
- IPCAs represent a long-term commitment to conservation
- IPCAs elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities
Indigenous people have been looking after the land since time immemorial. What’s new is the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are finally recognizing this. Up to now, Parks and Protected Areas have been created by the laws of the federal
Government and the GNWT. The Sahtú K’aowe IPCA will be created by a Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government Law.
You can learn more about IPCAs across the country here: https://conservation-reconciliation.ca/about-ipcas
Where will the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA be?
The Sahtú K’aowe will include the entire Délı̨nę District.
Who is leading this work?
DGG has set up a Steering Committee to guide the work to create the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA.
Danny Gaudet-Chairperson
Jonas Modeste – DKK
Peter Bayha – DGGR
Dolphus Tutcho – Biosphere
Dolphus Baton – DRRC
Vacant – Elders Chairperson
?ene Naware (the Lands Resources and Environment Division) staff and advisors actively support the Steering Committee. Key positions are the IPCA Manager, Guardians Manager, and two contract positions Traditional Knowledge Advisor and Community Negotiator (hiring).
What is the vision for the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA?
The Sahtú K’aowe Steering Committee is guided by the community’s vision for the IPCA. The Sahtú K’aowe IPCA will change how the lands and waters within the IPCA are actively managed. It will bring new ways of working with GNWT and possibly Canada, including new arrangements for seeking DGG consent, and shared management objectives through a renewed Water Heart: Management Plan for Great Bear Lake and its Watershed. There will be an increased role of Guardians in management patrols, community-based research and monitoring, and more on-the-land activities for Sahtúgot’ı̨nę. The mechanism to protect the Tsá Tué including the lakebed and the water has not yet been decided - and may require bringing additional partners to the table such as Canada (DFO).
How will the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA be funded?
DGG may be able to access up to an estimated $55 million over ten years to manage the Sahtú K’aowe IPCA. This funding will come from the NWT: Our Land for the Future. NWT: Our Land for the Future Agreement was signed in Behchokǫ̀ on November 14, 2024. This Agreement is a funding arrangement that supports the long-term protection of the NWT's lands and waters, while also supporting local economies.
You can learn more about the signing ceremony here: https://deline.ca/en/news/375m-indigenous-led-conservation-deal-just-signed-northwest-territories
You can learn more about NWT: Our Land for the Future Agreement here:
https://nwtourlandforthefuture.ca/
How can I learn more about the Sahtu K’aowe IPCA?
Contact Gina Bayha – Director of Environment
Phone: (867) 589.4224 (ext.1201)
E-mail: gina.bayha@gov.deline.ca
Knowledge Centre Building