Establishing LFN Protected and Conserved Areas
Every IPCA is different. As an Indigenous-led process, the outcome—whether it’s a protected area or another approach—reflects the unique laws, rights, and needs of the Indigenous Nation(s) involved.
Here are some of the key steps we expect will be part of the work involved in establishing LFN Protected and Conserved Areas:
Phase 1: Assessment of past and current conditions and future needs.
Collecting and reviewing information to understand what’s needed to support the meaningful exercise of Kaska rights in the proposed areas. This will involve gathering Kaska Knowledge and ecological data, filling in information gaps, looking at social and economic factors, and reviewing how the proposed IPCAs connect with other protected areas and plans in Kaska Territory.
Questions we are exploring in Phase 1:
- What Kaska interests do we need to protect to support the meaningful practice of Kaska Rights, now and in future?
- What do we already know about the proposed areas? What do we need to better understand? (e.g., historic and current harvesting practices and traditional use, current conditions from an ecological perspective)
- Do the proposed areas reflect Kaska interests? What have we missed?
Phase 2: Community engagement and planning.
Working to refine the proposed boundaries and identify a vision for future Kaska stewardship and management. This will involve engaging and informing LFN citizens to seek input and guidance about all factors involved in protected area planning, development, management, and governance.
Questions we will explore in Phase 2:
- What principles should guide the LFN IPCA initiative?
- What is LFN’s vision for the proposed IPCAs?
- Are any further boundary adjustments needed to the proposed IPCAs? How do LFN citizens feel about moving forward with the proposed areas?
- What goals do we have for the proposed IPCAs? What are our key priorities?
- How do we want to work with neighbouring First Nations who may be affected by our IPCAs?
- What do we need to know about Kaska laws and governance to do this work in a good way?
Phase 3: Evaluating legal options and strategies for implementation.
Looking at different land use scenarios, exploring the potential for protected area designation under Kaska and Canadian law, and selecting the best implementation strategy to support the exercise of Kaska rights.
Questions we will explore in Phase 3:
- What types of protections are we interested in establishing within the LFN IPCAs, and where?
- What types of legal pathways or mechanisms do we want to use to govern Liard First Nation-led Protected and Conserved Areas?
Phase 4: Governance and implementation planning.
Establishing the necessary operational and administrative structures for implementing LFN IPCAs. This includes developing a governance plan, setting objectives and strategies for protection and monitoring, and identifying future operational needs.
Questions we will explore in Phase 4:
- What kinds of costs are associated with establishing a Liard First Nation-led Protected and Conserved Areas?
- How will we communicate about the expectations and guidelines within Liard First Nation-led Protected and Conserved Areas?