Supporting Co-Management Committees in Clyde River and Arviat

An Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in Nunavut was ratified in 2008, and an important feature of the agreement was the establishment of Area Co-Management Committees in eight communities that are near to each of the conservation areas in the territory. The Co-Management Committees are responsible for the planning and day-to-day management of a specific conservation area.

An important task of each committee is the development of a management plan. The management plan is to be informed by an understanding of the wildlife and cultural resources, and will be used as the framework for which management decisions are made by the committee, Environment Canada staff, and any other stakeholder group with an interest in the conservation area.

The purpose of a management plan is to maintain the ecological integrity of a conservation area, planning for activities that are allowed in the area while identifying other activities that are restricted and require the authority of a permit. The IIBA ensures that management plans in Nunavut must respect the rights of Inuit specified under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Aarluk has been supporting two Co-Management Committees, helping to set the foundation for the preparation management plans. In Clyde River, the Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area protects the habitat of bowhead whales in their summer feeding grounds at Isabella Bay. Working with the Ittaq Research and Heritage Society, Aarluk’s Chris Grosset and Christian Cloutier gathered background documents concerning the area, such as research papers, consolidating the relevant information into a management plan template. Chris Grosset also provided a two-day training workshop in Clyde River on management planning for the Ninginganiq Committee.

Nivvialik Co-Management Committee (left to right): Chris Grosset (Aarluk), Donna Mulders (ACMC), Judy Issakiark (Kivalliq Inuit Association) Simona Baker (translator), Peter Alareak (ACMC), Thomas Ubluriak(ACMC), Shayne Ubluriak (ACMC - seated), David Aglukark Sr. (ACMC), Philip Kigusiutnak (ACMC)

Aarluk is also completing the background document consolidation for the Nivvialik Co-Management Committee of Arviat, who are responsible for the Kuugaayuk (McConnell River) Migratory Bird Sanctuary, an important nesting and feeding ground for Lesser Snow Geese. Chris Grosset led a two-day training workshop with the members of the Nivvialik committee in Arviat.

Both workshops resulted in a greater understanding among committee members of their roles in management planning, as well as work plans for each committee to prepare their respective management plans.