Land Use Plans

Gwich’in Land Use Plan

The Gwich’in Land Use Plan, Nành’ Geenjit Gwitr’it T’igwaa’in- Working for the Land was developed under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement by the Gwich’in Land Use Planning Board. Twenty years of regional land use planning went into the plan. Gwich’in communities and organizations, territorial and federal government organizations, industry groups and environmental non-governmental organizations were all consulted for the plan. Traditional land and scientific knowledge were all taken into consideration. The land use plan covers all land within the settlement area that is outside of municipal boundaries. It provides background information, establishes land use zones, identifies outstanding environmental issues, and recommends actions to be taken. The plan has been in effect since 2003. It is a tool for taking care of the people and the land of the Gwich’in Settlement Area today and into the future. Approval for the plan was granted from the Gwich’in, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada. You can view the Gwich’in Land Use Plan, Nành’ Geenjit Gwitr’it T’igwaa’in- Working for the Land here.

Sahtu Land Use Plan

The Sahtu Land Use Plan was created by the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board which was established in 1998. The board was created in response to the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (SDMCLCA) and the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA). Its role was to develop and implement a land use plan for the Sahtu Settlement Area. The land use plan is meant to provide for the conservation, development, and use of land, waters and other resources. Input was received from Sahtu communities, government, industry, non-government organizations and other stakeholders. Traditional and scientific knowledge was taken into consideration. The final draft of the Sahtu Land Use Plan was adopted in 2013. It is a legally binding document that was approved by the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, GNWT, Government of Canada, and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The plan is required to be reviewed every 5 years. You can view the Sahtu Land Use Plan here.

Tłįchǫ Land Use Plan

The Tłįchǫ Land Use Plan was not developed by a planning board, but instead by the Tłįchǫ Government under the Tłįchǫ agreement. The goal of the plan is to protect Tłįchǫ culture, heritage, and traditional way of life. It also serves as a guide for future development by outlining how Tłįchǫ land will be protected and how activities and development on Tłįchǫ lands should occur. It is a protection of Tłįchǫ culture and way of life. The area is self-managed by the Tłįchǫ Government through the Department of Culture and Lands Protection. Approval of the plan was done solely by the Tłįchǫ Government. The review and permitting of specific activities is the responsibility of the Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board. Management of wildlife and wildlife habitat, plants, forest, and protected areas in Wek’èezhìı is managed by the Wek’èezhìı Renewable Resources Board. The land use plan came into effect under the Tłìchǫ Land Use Plan Law under Tłįchǫ law in 2013. You can view the Tłįchǫ Wenek’e Tłįchǫ Land Use Plan here.