Media Centre

Press Releases

2009

Canadian Boreal Initiative Applauds Protection Around NWT’s Great Bear Lake

OTTAWA, April 14, 2009: The Canadian Boreal Initiative joins its partners in congratulating the Government of Canada and the Sahtu Dene community of Déline for permanently protecting Saoyú -Aehdacho, also known as Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills. Today’s announcement by Environment Minister Jim Prentice fulfils a First Nation community-driven vision to designate Saoyú - Aehdacho as a permanently protected National Historic Site within Canada’s Boreal region.

Saoyú (saw-you-eh) and Aehdacho (aa-daa-cho) are two major peninsulas on the west side of Great Bear Lake that total 5,550 km² in size. Great Bear Lake is the ninth largest freshwater lake in the world. These peninsulas will protect Boreal habitat for several important wildlife species including caribou, grizzly bears, wolverines, and peregrine falcons. This area has also high spiritual and cultural significance for the Sahtu Dene, and is a prime fishing destination.

This is a significant milestone, as it is the first site to be permanently protected through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. “This is a tremendous achievement. We salute the people of Dél?ne who in partnership with the federal government have worked together for over a decade to protect these sites,” stated Larry Innes, Executive Director of CBI. “We look forward to other milestones in the months ahead and to continuing to support all partners involved in realizing the goals of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy.”

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The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) works with Aboriginal communities, governments, conservation organizations, industry leaders and others to realize science, policy and conservation solutions across Canada’s Boreal forest.

CBI is a partner in the Northwest Territories Protected Area Strategy, and is working with First Nations communities, conservation groups, progressive industry and the federal and territorial governments to secure protection for ecological and cultural values in advance of major new development.

For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Fraser, Director of communications
Canadian Boreal Initiative
sfraser <at> borealcanada ca
T: 613.232.2530

Click here to read the Parks Canada media release.