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The following pictures and text courtesy of:
Gwinuu News - News of the millenium in Old Crow, Yukon
| Yukon media, politicians and Old Crow community members crowded into the community hall on Monday, September 25, to celebrate the protection of the entire Fishing Branch and the lower Cody Creek watersheds, in the southern traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin. |  |
The vast majority of the protected land (5,400 square kilometers) was designated a Wilderness Preserve, which means that the entire watershed is protected from industrial development of any kind, including the building of roads. The area at the heart of the preserve is Bear Cave Mountain, rich in salmon and grizzlies. Another 1,000 square km covering part of the Miner River was also designated a Habitat Protection Area.
“We are here to celebrate the achievement of something very wonderful,” said Chief Joe Linklater. He said it has taken twenty years of struggle to protect the watershed, giving tribute to past leaderships and the Elders who have kept the issue at the forefront.
Getting the area protected took a great deal of work, and unusual partnerships. The Yukon government, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Eagle Plains Resources (mining company) all worked with VGFN to accomplish this goal.
Eagle Plains Resources allowed six of their mining claims (in the heart of Fishing Branch) to be bought out by the Nature Conservancy and VGFN. As well, the mining company then donated other claims in the area. This means there are now no other mineral interests in the protected area.
The next step for Fishing Branch is the development of a management plan. This will now begin, with VGFN fully involved.
Linklater stated that VGFN would not have been successful without the cooperation of all parties. “I think that type of partnership will last well into the future,” he said. “We have to communicate with everyone in the traditional territory if we are to succeed.”
The Yukon Minister of Renewable Resources, Dale Eftoda, joined the celebration. He congratulated all parties on this “Unprecedented agreement.”
Bob Termuende, the former president of Eagle Plains Resources and whose son now heads the company, said he appreciated the partnership. “We hope the partnership will continue in the future.”
A very moved speaker was Jillian Lawson, who had been involved on the Fishing Branch issue for years for YTG. “I hope all of you have a chance to go there… I think it changed my life in some way. I appreciate the Vuntut Gwitchin. Without you, this (protection) would never have happened.”
Linklater gave tribute also to a key VGFN advisor, Hugh Monaghan. “He came in, saw the work that needed to be done and guided us through the government process.”
Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Lorraine Netro acknowledged the hard work of the leadership and the Elders.
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Jonathan Solomon from Fort Yukon travelled to the celebrations as well. He was pleased that the sacred lands of the Vuntut Gwitchin have protection. “Maybe after the election , we (Americans) will have the same thing on the 1002 Lands." |
Work to arrive at the agreement was done in large part by the North Yukon Local Planning Team.
Greg Charlie, co-chair of the team, said that he was first brought into the land claims process ten years ago by Stanley Njootli. It was Stanley who recognized him and immediately talked to him about the importance of Fishing Branch. Charlie spoke about the need to recognize the young people, like Harvey Kassi, who have worked in the area for years and know the area very well.
