Current Press Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (April 14, 2009) – The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to congratulate the community of Déline and Parks Canada on Saoyú - ?ehdacho becoming a protected National Historic Site through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) process.

“This is a historic day,” said the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. “I would like to congratulate the community of Déline and all the PAS partners who have worked together to achieve permanent protection of this cultural landscape.”

Saoyú - ?ehdacho are two major peninsulas on the west arm of Great Bear Lake. These peninsulas are vital cultural landscapes, and home to the Sahtugot’ine, the Dene of Great Bear Lake. Saoyú - ?ehdacho is also home to important wildlife species including woodland caribou, grizzly bears, wolverine, peregrine falcons, and intact boreal forest.

The Protected Areas Strategy is a community-driven process to protect natural and cultural lands in the Northwest Territories. It is a partnership between communities, regional organizations, governments, environmental groups and industry.

“Saoyú - ?ehdacho is the first area to be designated under the PAS process,” said Minister Miltenberger. “Permanent protection of this important area will ensure it can be shared with future generations.”

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For more information contact:

Dane Mason
Cabinet Communications
Office of the Premier
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
E-mail: dane_mason@gov.nt.ca