VUNTUT GWITCHIN RIDING PROFILE
The Vuntut Gwitchin riding is the northernmost riding in Yukon and had the fewest voters of any riding – 176 in the 2006 election. The riding boundary extends north to the waters of the Beaufort Sea, west to Alaska and east to the Northwest Territories. The territorial boundaries commission has recognized the unique situation and people the riding represents and has recommended that the boundaries remain the same.
All the voters live in or near the only community, Old Crow (pop. 300), which has no road access and is composed almost exclusively of members of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.
Our close knit isolated community is very unique. We are very much apart of the North American society with strong cultural roots because of our very close connection to the land, water and wildlife. oldcrow.ca
VUNTUT GWITCHIN FIRST NATION - (VGFN)
The riding encompasses much of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nations traditional territory and homelands. The First Nation has a Chief and 4 councilors.VGFN was one of the 'first four' First Nations to sign their final land claims and self government agreements with Canada and the Yukon in 1993. As a self-governing First Nation, the Vuntut Gwitchin now own approximately 7745 km² of land and have benefited from $19,161,859 compensation moneys over 15 years.
The VGFN is able to enact laws on behalf of their membership on their lands and have taken control of an array of program and services delivery for their citizens. The Vuntut Gwitchin continue to be the leaders at the national and international level striving to protect the critical habitat of the Porcupine caribou herd.
RECOGNITION OF OUR PAST MLA’s
The Vuntut Gwitchin riding might have the fewest voters, but it has consistently had one of the highest voter turnouts in territorial elections.
Lorraine Peter, New Democratic Party (2000-2006)
Robert Bruce Jr., New Democratic Party (1996-2000)
Esau Schafer, Yukon Party (1996)
Johnny Abel, Yukon Party (1992-1996)
Norma Kassi, New Democratic Party (1985-1992)
Kathie Nukon, Progressive Conservative Party (1982-1985)
Grafton Njootli, Progressive Conservative Party (1978-1982)
PROTECTED AREAS WITHIN THE RIDING
National ParksIvvavik ( 9750 km²) - Meaning ‘a place for giving birth, a nursery', in Inuvialuktun, the language of the Inuvialuit. Ivvavik is the first national park in Canada to be created as a result of an aboriginal land claim agreement. The park protects a portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and represents the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions.
Vuntut – (4345 km²) - Vuntut National Park was established in 1995 after extensive negotiations through the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation's Final Land Claims Agreement between the Vuntut Gwitchin of Old Crow and the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon. In the Gwitchin language Vuntut means "among the lakes” and encompasses 4,345. sq. km of wilderness in the northwestern corner of the Yukon Territory. The park is bounded by Ivvavik National Park of the north, the international boundary and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the west, Black Fox Creek to its confluence with the Old Crow River to the east and the Old Crow River to the south.
Territorial Parks
Old Crow Flats Special Management Area (19,000 km²) - The Old Crow Flats are located just north of Old Crow. This diverse lake network is home to hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, muskrat, moose and other wildlife, and provides some of the winter range for the Porcupine Caribou Herd. The area is of major cultural and economic importance to the Vuntut Gwitchin, and is one of the most important wetland complexes in Canada. It is the only Yukon wetland to be designated by the United Nations through the Ramsar Convention as having international ecological significance.
Fishing Branch Ni'iinlii Njik Territorial Park (6700 km²) - Fishing Branch Ni'iinlii Njik Park was established in December of 1999. The park protects a far northern wilderness with unique features created by limestone caves, year-round open water, salmon runs and grizzly bears at concentrations rarely seen at the Arctic Circle. A 5,400 square kilometre Wilderness Preserve and a 1,000 square kilometre Habitat Protection Area surround a 165 square kilometre Ecological Reserve and adjacent 143 square kilometre Vuntut Gwitchin Settlement Land selection.
Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park (116 km²) - Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Park lies five kilometers off the north coast of the Yukon Territory in the Beaufort Sea. This 116 square kilometer island protects a unique combination of natural and human heritage. Situated between land and sea, its dry polar climate is home to a unique combination of arctic plants, animals and sea life, including the largest colony of Black Guillemots in the Western Arctic.
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF VUNTUT GWITCHIN
