This is the official press release for the declaration of the formalization of a new Committee to oversee the Slave/Taltson Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) initiative. The Slave/Taltson IPCA Committee strives to uphold the inherent rights, jurisdiction, and responsibility of the Deninu Kųę́First Nation (DKFN) and the Fort Resolution Métis Government (FRMG).
Their objective is to safeguard and sustain a portion of their traditional territories in accordance with Dene and Métis Indigenous laws, integrating scientific methods and legal protections into their stewardship efforts. The Slave/Taltson IPCA project will be overseen by the Slave/Taltson IPCA Committee, with input from community members, land users, Elders, and youth in various crucial aspects, including selecting an IPCA study area, determining monitoring strategies for ecological integrity, safeguarding and utilizing significant cultural sites, ensuring the well-being of the Dene and Métis peoples within conservation-driven economic ventures, guiding partner organizations and sponsors in supporting the IPCA project, and identifying additional priorities and opportunities as the project progresses.