Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh (ped-zay-keen-day) is an important spiritual and cultural area for the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation (community of Wrigley) in the Dehcho region. It is located on the east side of the Mackenzie River, is approximately 16,400 km², and is made up of three river watersheds and two additional lake areas. The community of Wrigley is seeking protection of the area through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy.
Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh represents four different ecoregions, and includes peatlands that act as a water filter and carbon sink. The area is relatively pristine, and provides habitat for moose, boreal woodland caribou, barren-ground caribou, black bears, wolves, beavers, migratory birds, and several species of fish. It is used extensively by local community members for year-round subsistence harvesting.
Approximately 35% of Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh (6,444 km²) was withdrawn through the Pipeline Settlement Agreement for the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project, which falls under the Dehcho Process. The Dehcho Process seeks to resolve ongoing land, resource and governance issues between the Dehcho First Nations, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is seeking protection of the entire area through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy, and has approached the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) to act as sponsoring agency. Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh is currently in Step 3 of the PAS process, with assessment and documentation of its values underway.
Interest in oil and gas exploration has never been higher in the Mackenzie Valley: one million hectares of land were opened for bid in 2011. An all-season road and the Mackenzie Valley pipeline are priority projects for the current territorial government. Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh will provide wildlife with an important refuge from the linear disturbances and human access that are increasing throughout the Valley.
CPAWS-NWT continues to support the efforts o f the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation to protect Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh. Some of our tasks involve:
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