Brendan Hanley

New Inuvialuit-led conservation area in the Yukon will safeguard wildlife, habitat, and Inuvialuit traditional use

July 16, 2024

Indigenous peoples have always been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and the management of natural resources. By integrating Indigenous knowledge with western science, we can find solutions to biodiversity loss and climate change while preserving the natural spaces vital to us all. I am delighted to celebrate the establishment of the new Inuvialuit-led conservation area in the Yukon, known as the Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area. This landmark agreement, signed by Canada, the Inuvialuit Parties, and the Government of Yukon, secures the conservation and protection of nearly 8,500 km² of the Eastern Yukon North Slope—larger than Banff National Park. This initiative is a significant step towards Canada's commitment to conserve 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. Canada is contributing $10 million to establish the Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Stewardship and Guardians Program through a trust, with an additional $3.5 million matched by philanthropic organizations. This program will oversee the management and monitoring of the area, facilitate intergenerational cultural engagement on the land, and create meaningful employment opportunities in Aklavik. The parties involved have collaboratively developed a comprehensive management plan to ensure the conservation of biodiversity while respecting traditional Inuvialuit practices. This announcement complements the existing network of terrestrial and marine protected areas across northern Yukon, spanning international borders and including significant sites like Ivvavik and Vuntut National Parks, Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Niaqunnaq (part of the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area), and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. This historic agreement is a culmination of efforts initiated by the 1984 Inuvialuit Final Agreement, which designated the northern Yukon as a region for wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and traditional Inuvialuit activities. The Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area represents the final piece of the puzzle in advancing cultural and biodiversity objectives shared by the Inuvialuit, Canada, and the Yukon. Quick Facts: - In Inuvialuktun, Aullaviat/Anguniarvik means “where wildlife and people travel, a place to hunt.” Aullaviat/Anguniarvik serves as a vital link between land and sea, connecting Inuvialuit communities in Alaska and Yukon with traditional harvesting areas. It plays a crucial role in connecting the calving grounds of the porcupine caribou herd to seasonal ranges and forms part of a protected area network crucial for wildlife habitat preservation. - Canada’s network of protected and conserved areas is instrumental in safeguarding wildlife habitats and promoting resilient ecosystems, which are essential for the recovery of endangered species. - The Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area covers 1.8 percent of the Yukon’s landmass, increasing the Yukon’s total protected areas reported to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database to 21.1 percent, and aligns with the goals of the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement. - This initiative exemplifies our commitment to collaborative conservation efforts that honour Indigenous knowledge, protect our environment, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.