Indigenous-led conservation advances as Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) proposal moves to negotiations

This historic step forward is a milestone in collaboration to protect a landscape of immense cultural and ecological value in Canada

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) celebrates the recent announcement that the proposed national park in the Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) watershed has been deemed feasible, marking a historic milestone in advancing Indigenous-led conservation and landscape protection in northern Canada.

In a joint release, Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr. of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Chief Dawna Hope of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, the Honourable Nils Clarke, Minister of Environment for the Yukon, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, confirmed that a Collaboration Accord has been signed to move the initiative forward into negotiations for a formal establishment agreement.

The Peel River watershed, known as Teetł’it Gwinjik to the Gwich’in, is one of the largest intact ecosystems in Canada. Rich in wildlife, pristine waters and cultural significance, it lies within the Traditional Territories of the Gwich’in and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and the Gwich’in Settlement Region. It is also the northern anchor of the 3,400-kilometer-long Yellowstone to Yukon region.

If established, the proposed national park would be co-managed by the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and Parks Canada. This model advances reconciliation and honours Indigenous self-determination of land management.

“This announcement underscores the strength of Indigenous leadership in charting a future for the Peel watershed that safeguards biodiversity, cultural values and ecological integrity,” says Meaghen Kimmitt, Yukon conservation specialist at Y2Y.

“We raise our hands to the partners in upholding Indigenous-led conservation and protecting one of North America’s most iconic wild places.”

The feasibility assessment, launched under a 2024 Collaboration Accord, engaged Indigenous leadership and citizens, stakeholders and the public.

The study concluded that creating a national park in the study area — including nearly 3,000 square kilometers of river canyons, wetlands and forests — is both practical and desirable for communities and wildlife habitat. The next stage of the process is negotiating the establishment agreement.

For Y2Y, this milestone affirms the importance of Indigenous-led conservation in advancing large landscape connectivity and protecting biodiversity across the Yellowstone to Yukon region. The Peel River watershed connects intact boreal forests, mountain habitats and migratory routes for species such as caribou, grizzly bears and salmon.

“This is a moment of global significance,” adds Kimmitt. “Conserving the Peel watershed as a national park will not only protect wildlife and wilderness but also support the continuation of cultural practices that have been lived on this land since time immemorial. Y2Y applauds the leadership of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Parks Canada and the Government of Yukon for their commitment to a collaborative path forward.”

The proposed Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) watershed park would: 

• Permanently protect 3,000 square kilometers of diverse landscapes, as outlined in the 2019 Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan. 

• Advance Canada’s conservation goals, moving significantly closer to the commitment of protecting 30 per cent of land by 2030 

• Safeguard one of Canada’s largest roadless areas, conserving forests, clean water sources, and critical wildlife habitat 

• Honour Indigenous cultural heritage, protecting lands within the traditional territories of the Gwich’in and Nacho Nyak Dun, which are central to their traditions and ways of life 

• Provide a refuge for iconic wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolverines, and caribou — species that rely on large, connected landscapes to survive 

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