Road Warriors: Chris Grosset in Baker Lake and Gjoa Haven

A beautiful evening walk in
Gjoa Haven to the Amundsen Cairn.

Aarluk's Chris Grosset recently travelled to Baker Lake and Gjoa Haven to enjoy the amazing spring weather (and to do some work on the Background Report on the Back River Proposed Canadian Heritage Rivers nomination.)


The Canadian Heritage Rivers System, a federal, provincial and territorial system that recognizes Canadian Rivers of outstanding natural, human heritage and recreational significance, requires a Background Report in order to be eligible for nomination. As part of this Background Report, Chris and Lesli Rynyk from the Government of Nunavut's Nunavut Parks and Special Places division met with community representatives and families in Baker Lake and Gjoa Haven that have long-standing ties to the Back River and got them to describe the natural and cultural heritage, and recreational values. The communities also discussed the benefits of the Heritage Rivers Program, and what the implications would be if they asked the Government of Nunavut to proceed with a nomination of the Back River.
 

Chris at the visitor centre in Baker Lake.

If the communities and GN decide to nominate the Back River, it would be the fifth Canadian Heritage River in Nunavut. The Kazan, Soper and Thelon rivers have been designated Heritage rivers, while the Coppermine has been nominated.