June 7, 2021

Whitehorse, Yukon 

The Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) has prepared a Yukon North Slope Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan. It is now available for public comment. 

The Council was established under the 1984 Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA). It advises the appropriate federal and territorial ministers with respect to the management and administration of wildlife, habitat and harvesting on the Yukon North Slope. The IFA requires the Council to prepare and recommend a wildlife conservation plan for the area. Prior to recommending a final plan to the appropriate authorities, the Council is seeking public comment on the draft plan. 

The Plan builds on the special conservation regime established in the IFA for Yukon North Slope, which includes Ivvavik National Park, Herschel Island – Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park and Aullaviat/Aungauniarvik (the eastern Yukon North Slope). It brings together Inuvialuit knowledge and Western science knowledge about this special part of Northern Yukon and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Importantly, the Plan is the result of extensive collaboration with Inuvialuit organizations, Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada and management partners in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. 

“The Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan has been developed to ensure that the wildlife, the land, and a traditional lifestyle for Inuvialuit can be enjoyed and maintained for generations to come.” - Billy Storr, WMAC NS Regular Member and Alternate Chairperson 

“The Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan is a good resource for everyone, especially for us as Inuvialuit that have a connection to this part of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. It’s a guide to help us navigate the future and it will help younger generations conserve this special place.” - Michelle Gruben, WMAC NS Alternate Member

The draft Plan is now available for public comment. This 30-day public engagement period runs from June 7th to July 7th. Those wishing to review and/or provide comments on the draft Plan may do so through wmacns.ca/engage. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Council staff: 

wmacns@wmacns.ca 

867-633-5476 

For more information on the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) (WMAC NS), visit wmacns.ca. Billy Storr is WMAC NS’ Alternate Chair. Billy is an Inuvialuk from Aklavik, NWT and was appointed to WMAC NS by the Inuvialuit Game Council. Michelle Gruben is an Alternate member of WMAC NS. Also an Inuvialuk from Aklavik, NWT, she was appointed to WMAC NS by the Inuvialuit Game Council.