Parks Canada and Indigenous partners to restore and increase park forest resiliency and revitalize Southern Tutchone traditions and culture
October 18, 2022 Haines Junction, Yukon Parks Canada Agency
The Government of Canada is protecting national parks in Canada, restoring healthy, resilient ecosystems, and contributing to the recovery of species at risk. Collaborating with numerous Indigenous groups across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these treasured places.
Partners Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kluane First Nation and Parks Canada are excited to introduce Dákeyi ukaanathį̀ jè: All of you watch over our country with your heart - Restoring forest ecosystems in Kluane National Park and Reserve. This project will help plan long-term approaches to restore and increase the resilience of the park's forests while helping to revitalize Southern Tutchone traditions and culture.
Today, Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced a federal investment of $2.5 million over five years for the project and highlighted contributions from Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Kluane First Nation, as well as the Canadian Forest Service for significant in-kind resources to this unique collaboration.
As part of this project, research is underway to advance a greater understanding about the history of fire in Kluane National Park and Reserve, looking at both human-caused and natural-caused wildfire throughout the forested areas. Fire is a necessary, natural process for rejuvenating and creating ecosystem diversity. A fire deficit and a degraded forest ecosystem exist on the Kluane National Park and Reserve landscape, creating imbalances in the ecology of the park and an increased risk of wildfire. Research with First Nation partners will support understanding of how they used fire on the land, while providing opportunity for First Nations staff and land guardians to reconnect with the more remote areas of their traditional territories.
Parks Canada recognizes the importance of collaborating with Indigenous partners to reflect cultural practices and shared governance in fire management programs. The Agency aims to restore fire to Kluane National Park and Reserve by 2025, sharing leadership of this project with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Kluane First Nation, and using an approach informed by Western and First Nations' knowledge systems. Final decisions on restoring fire to the park, such as selecting sites and actions, for prescribed fire, will be carried out based on the shared goals of all partners.
