2007 Yukon North Slope Conference Keeping Track: Environmental Monitoring and Reporting in Wildlife Management: Summary Report
Citation
2007 Yukon North Slope Conference Keeping Track: Environmental Monitoring and Reporting in Wildlife Management: Summary Report: Environment Yukon, p. 176-176.
Summary
Foreword In 1984, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) was signed by the Committee for Original Peoples Entitlement (COPE) on behalf of the Inuvialuit, and by the governments of Canada, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The basic goals expressed by the Inuvialuit and recognized by the parties in this Agreement, are captured in the following three principles: (a) To preserve Inuvialuit cultural identity and values within a changing northern society; (b) To enable Inuvialuit to be equal and meaningful participants in the northern and national economy and society; and, (c) To protect and preserve the Arctic wildlife, environment and biological productivity. Yukon North Slope Section 12 of the IFA includes the provisions for the Yukon [...]
Summary
Foreword In 1984, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) was signed by the Committee for Original Peoples Entitlement (COPE) on behalf of the Inuvialuit, and by the governments of Canada, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The basic goals expressed by the Inuvialuit and recognized by the parties in this Agreement, are captured in the following three principles: (a) To preserve Inuvialuit cultural identity and values within a changing northern society; (b) To enable Inuvialuit to be equal and meaningful participants in the northern and national economy and society; and, (c) To protect and preserve the Arctic wildlife, environment and biological productivity. Yukon North Slope Section 12 of the IFA includes the provisions for the Yukon North Slope, which is described as; “all those lands between the jurisdictional boundaries of Alaska and the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories, north of the height of land dividing the watersheds of the Porcupine River and the Beaufort Sea, and including adjacent nearshore and offshore waters and islands.” Section 12 designates the Yukon North Slope as having a special conservation regime with protection of wildlife, habitat and traditional native use considered paramount. In keeping with this, Ivvavik National Park and Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park were created. The area east of the Babbage River is identified as an area in which controlled development may take place, subject to the provisions of the IFA. Section 12 also establishes the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope), with the mandate to provide advice to the appropriate ministers on all matters relating to wildlife policy and the management regulation and administration of wildlife, habitat and harvesting for the Yukon North Slope. Section 12 also identifies the requirement for a Yukon North Slope Conference to be hosted by Yukon government, to promote public discussion among native organizations, government and the private sector with respect to management coordination for the Yukon North Slope. 2012 Yukon North Slope Conference The ninth Yukon North Slope Conference was held in Whitehorse, Yukon, October 2 - 4, 2012. The theme of the conference was Pathways to Arctic Innovation – Arctic Wildlife Conservation & Co-Management, Lessons Learned and Future Challenges. This theme was especially significant after the passage of more than 35 years since the signing of the first modern day land claim agreement in Arctic Canada, and the introduction of an approach to wildlife conservation and management that is referred to today as “comanagement.” In this context, the conference focused on the sharing of knowledge and experience from jurisdictions and organizations across the North, with a special focus on Arctic Canada. The conference included four moderated panel discussions with experts speaking to each topic. A question and answer session provided delegates including; aboriginal organizations, wildlife management and environmental impact review boards, researchers, and governments from across the North an opportunity to share and discuss: • Major challenges they face in wildlife conservation and management; • How these challenges relate to aboriginal knowledge, resource use and rights; and, • How co-management contributes to sustainabilitybased resource development. Special attention was paid to how these challenges could be met and what innovations could be applied. One hundred and fifty eight people from Alaska to Labrador participated in the conference. Yukon government hosted the Yukon North Slope Conference in partnership with the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope). A very special thank you goes to Mr. Robert Bell, who generously agreed to chair the conference. Appreciation is also extended to the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) and the many other people who contributed in making this conference a success.
