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HART RIVER, YUKON, AT THE ELLIOT CREEK CONFLUENCE. PHOTO BY JURI PEEPRE
VICTORY FOR THE PEEL RIVER WATERSHED IN THE YUKON
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to paddle the Wind, Snake or Bonnet Plume rivers in the Peel River watershed of the Yukon knows that it is truly a unique, wild and mountainous landscape. In addition to being prime habitat for caribou, upon which many First Nations people still depend, the watershed has become a valuable source of sustainable ecotourism. After years of planning, a commission comprised of First Nations and government representatives recommended that 80
percent of the Peel watershed be protected. However, the government unilaterally rejected the plan and attempted to impose a much lower level of protection in favor of allowing greater industrial development, a position not supported by a majority of Yukoners. Represented by the highly respected former Justice Thomas Berger of Mackenzie Valley Pipeline fame, First Nations and support- ing conservation groups took the government to the Supreme Court of Yukon. In December 2014, a decision was won which held that the government had failed to uphold First Nations rights and could not impose its plan. The Yukon government has announced that they are appealing the decision, but First Nations leaders vow to assert their rights in
court. Paddle Canada will continue to monitor this case closely and advocate for sustainable development that respects the legal rights of
First Nations. You can learn more and follow the case at
www.CPAWS-Yukon.org. Jay Morrison is director for Quebec at Paddle Canada.
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