PUBLIC NOTICE: Draft Relationship Plan for Thaıdene Nëné Released for Public Comment

On March 12, Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı, the operational management board for Thaidene Nëné, and shared management partners, including the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Parks Canada, and the Government of Northwest Territories, released a draft relationship plan for Thaıdene Nëné, titled Thaıdene Nëné badı xá, for public comment.[1]
 
Thaıdene Nëné is an Indigenous protected area established in 2019. It is 26,376 square kilometers and is located within the territories of the Akaitcho Dene First Nations and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation in the Northwest Territories. Thaıdene Nëné includes a national park reserve, a territorial protected area, and a territorial wildlife conservation area. The relationship plan sets out a long-term vision, specific objectives, and strategic direction for the protected area.
 
“The foundation of Thaıdene Nëné badı xá is nuwé ch’anıe. Nuwé ch’anıe is our Indigenous values and knowledge systems, including our relationships with and responsibilities to care for the land, water, and wildlife,” says Addie Jonasson, chairperson of Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı. “This plan will lay the foundation for the future, ensuring countless generations to come will be able to care for and benefit from Thaidene Nëné. Our aim in releasing this draft to the public is to ensure Indigenous governments, stakeholders, and Canadians have an opportunity to provide input on the future direction of Thaıdene Nëné.”
 
Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı will be hosting a series of open houses over the next month. Events are currently scheduled in the communities of Łutsël Kʼé, Yellowknife, Fort Resolution, Hay River, and Fort Smith.
 
The first open house will be held in Yellowknife on Monday March 25 from 6-8:30pm at the Tree of Peace Friendship Center (5011 51st Street). Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı and the partners invite the public to attend and learn more about the draft plan. Light refreshments will be served. There will also be giveaways and the chance to win a number of prizes.
 
Thaıdene Nëné Xá Dá Yáłtı is accepting comments from the public on the draft relationship plan until April 28, 2024.
 
For more information about the plan and to download a copy, visit https://www.landoftheancestors.ca/relationshipplan.html or https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/thaidene-nene/info/plan. Beginning March 21, members of the public can also leave comments on the draft plan at www.haveyoursay.nwt.ca.


[1] Thaıdene Nëné xá dá yáłtı is pronounced “thigh-denay nenay ha da yawl-ti.” Thaıdene Nëné badı xá is pronounced “thigh-denay nenay badi ha.”