Canada, GNWT and Doi T'oh Territorial Park Corporation congratulate the Sahtu community on clean-up program along the Canol Trail, NWT

TULITA, NT, Jan. 30, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is committed to renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples and closing socio-economic gaps in the North. Skill development programs like the wire clean-up both support communities' sustainable economic development, and make the environment safer.

Today the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the Government of the Northwest Territories, and representatives of the Doi T'oh Territorial Park Corporation congratulated the participants of the wire clean-up program along the Canol Trail on the completion of this initiative.

This joint initiative showcased the work that is possible when local, territorial, and federal governments join together to increase community capacity and reduce risks to the environment.

Through the wire clean-up program, Sahtu beneficiaries learned from Elders and technical experts as they worked to consolidate telephone wire strewn along the Canol Trail. The wire clean-up program helped protect animals from the risk of becoming entangled in the wire, by clearing it from over 350km of the trail.

Quotes:

"Congratulations to the Sahtu community and everyone involved in the wire clean-up program along the Canol Trail. This community capacity building project is an example of what can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal. Not only is the trail now safer for Northerners and wildlife, participants also had the opportunity to gain important skills in field operations and learn from the Elders." 

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

"The Canol Trail clean-up program demonstrates what we can achieve when federal, territorial and local governments work together towards a common goal. The project contributed to skills-building, cultural teachings and economic opportunities within the Sahtu Region, while enhancing the tourism potential of this historic area."

Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

"I would like to congratulate the young people from Tulita and Norman Wells who worked on the wire clean-up in the Mackenzie Mountains. I would also like to say thank you to everyone who participated and to our partners, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories."

Chief Frank Andrew of the Tulita Dene Band on behalf of the Doi T'oh Territorial Park Corporation

Quick Facts

• The Canol Trail was part of the CANOL (Canadian Oil) Project, a cooperative effort between the United States and Canada during the Second World War.
• The contract for the Canol Trail Remediation Project was awarded to Englobe Corporation in August 2017, with remediation work to begin in 2018.
• Through the wire clean-up program, approximately 80 tonnes of wire was cleared from over 350km of the the Canol Trail. 38 Sahtu beneficiaries participated in the program in 2017.
• Completion of the wire clean-up program reduces risks to the health and safety of Northerners and wildlife.  
• The completion of the wire clean-up was celebrated with a Community Feast in Tulita, NWT, today with presentations by Chief Frank Andrews of the Tulita Dene Band, the Government of Canada, and the GNWT's Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Associated Links

https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1445624695925/1445624831905

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316