FAQs

Nunavut’s Territorial Parks are our favourite places to go fishing and camping, berry picking, boating or to have tea. They are places with rivers and trails that have been traveled for thousands of years and sites where our ancestors camped centuries ago. They may be places with unique natural features, or places where plants grow and animals feed, den or travel. They also may be destinations we want to promote as tourist attractions.

Every Nunavut Territorial Park is a “special place” that means something to us, reflects our goals and helps build interest in Nunavut’s culture and enhance awareness of our land. Our Territorial Parks are jointly planned and managed by Inuit and the Government of Nunavut, in cooperation with the affected communities.

Territorial parks are established by the Government of Nunavut to protect landscapes and sites that are important to Inuit and Nunavummiut. Territorial parks are jointly planned and managed by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Environment, Nunavut Parks and Special Places Division (NPSP), and a Community Joint Planning and Management Committee (CJPMC) in the community associated with each park. A Nunavut Joint Planning and Management Committee (NJPMC) gives territory-wide advice on planning and management for the Nunavut Parks Program.

A national park is an area that is specially protected and managed by the Government of Canada. The federal government establishes national parks in every ecoregion so visitors can experience the wide range of landscapes in Canada. National Parks in Nunavut are co-managed by Parks Canada and a Joint Park Management Committee for each park.

Inuit harvesting rights within a Territorial Park are protected by the Nunavut Agreement (NA) and Umbrella Inuit Impact Benefits Agreement for Territorial Parks in the Nunavut Settlement Area (IIBA): harvesting.

The NA and IIBA protect the rights of Inuit to continued land use for harvesting activities, outpost camps, cabins, carving stone, access, and other purposes in Katannilik Territorial Park.

The park management plan will ensure that visitor use and development do not conflict with Inuit use and enjoyment of the park.

The draft Management Plan requires protection of culturally significant sites in the park including archaeological artefacts. The staff for territorial parks will monitor and manage the park’s heritage resources with advice from the CJPMC, and as required through partnerships with Elders in the communities, the Department of Culture and Heritage (GN), and the Inuit Heritage Trust.

Should sites become damaged or artefacts are found in the future, the CJPMC will follow legislation and policies, and seek advice from these partners to mitigate impacts on cultural resources. Options for management may include designing protection for sites, removal of artefacts, regulating or limiting access to sites, or conducting research projects.

The draft Management Plan provides guidance for staff and park users should archaeological sites or artefacts be found in Territorial Parks: ensuring these are reported to GN Department of Culture and Heritage.

Cultural: Territorial Parks will conserve and promote Inuit heritage and culture. These lands are important reminders of Inuit heritage that dates back thousands of years, and the heritage resources and stories associated with the park will be managed sustainably for future generations. Inuit cultural values will be celebrated through the park’s Heritage Appreciation Plan.

Natural: Territorial Parks will protect wildlife habitats, scenic landscapes, and traditional land use areas. The park management plan recommends research, monitoring, regulations, and mitigation of impacts from human and natural impacts on the environment.

Economic: Territorial Parks promotes economic development through business opportunities and jobs in tourism and park management. Territorial Parks offers long-term sustainable economic growth opportunities for the communities to grow tourism associated with the park, and its cultural and business sectors. In the future, the park will offer Inuit contracting and employment opportunities, park and community events for the residents, as well as educational programs for youth.

Recreational: The beauty of the landscape in Territorial Parks captures the imagination of visitors and local people alike. Community members will continue to use the Territorial Park for seasonal harvesting, travel and relaxation. Visitors will experience camping, picnics and site-seeing in this historic and scenic landscape. Park infrastructure will continue to be maintained at high standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all park users.

Establishing a Territorial Park takes place over several years, through close consultation and involvement with residents of affected communities, and with the best available traditional, local and scientific knowledge. Establishing a park involves five main phases. We are currently in the Master Plan Phase in the park establishment process for Clyde River. The five phases of establishing a new Territorial park are:

1. Background Phase
2. Feasibility Phase
3. Park Master Plan Phase
4. Park Management Plan Phase
5. Implementation and Operation Phase