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Neither the NHL hockey finals, nor the bright and warm spring midnight sun stopped community folks in Mayo, Ft. McPherson and Inuvik from enjoying the CPAWS multi-media show, Three Rivers: the Yukon's Great Boreal Wilderness.
In early June our CPAWS-Yukon crew (Theresa Gulliver, Mac Hislop and Juri Peepre) drove the arctic Dempster Highway all the way to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, stopping en route in Mayo and Ft. McPherson. Mayo is the hub of travel into the Three Rivers country and centre for the Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation, in whose territory the Three Rivers flow. Ft. McPherson is home to the Tetl'it Gwich'in whose traditional territory encompasses much of the lower Peel watershed.
Two community schools hosted daytime events featuring the wildlife and people of the Peel watershed - a big hit with both the students and the CPAWS team! When some of the students returned with their parents for the evening shows, we knew the Three Rivers had left a strong impression. CPAWS spoke to about 250 people of all ages on the tour, and many more heard about the Three Rivers project on local radio programs.
During the tour, CPAWS met with community members, Renewable Resource Councils, First Nation councillors and staff, to discuss potential conservation goals and protected areas in the Three Rivers and Peel watershed. We also presented information on the impacts of coal-bed methane extraction - an industry not known in the Yukon, but which has been proposed for the watershed. The Peel Watershed Planning Commission will be seeking further public comment on the regional land use plan this coming fall and winter.
During the tour many people expressed strong support for conservation in the Peel watershed. Others voiced their interest in economic development and were intrigued with new information on jobs related to conservation. CPAWS hopes to visit the Gwich'in communities of Aklavik and Tsiigehchic this autumn - along with the Three Rivers show.
All photos by Theresa Gulliver
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Showing the Three Rivers in Inuvik, NWT
Students in grades 1-4 watch the video in Mayo
Elders and youth in Ft. McPherson, NWT
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