WildlifeToolkits

In August of 2008, an Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement (IIBA) was ratified covering National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in Nunavut. This IIBA, negotiated between the Government of Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, and Nunavut’s three regional Inuit organizations, provides a framework for managing key areas used by numerous wildlife and bird species for feeding, migration, and reproducing across Nunavut.

An important feature of the IIBA is the establishment of Area Co-Management Committees (ACMCs) in the communities of Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet, Cape Dorset, Coral Harbour, Clyde River, Arviat, Grise Fiord, Resolute, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Omingmaktok. Aarluk’s Chris Grosset and Patti Black have been assisting the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in Nunavut to develop toolkits for all of these ACMCs to help them with their work. The toolkits bring together all of the components of the CWS management planning process into a single reference document, ensuring that ACMCs have all of the necessary tools available for developing effective management plans for their respective areas. A draft toolkit has been submitted to CWS, and is currently undergoing a test run.

h/t Geoff Rigby