Protected area co-management in the Yukon

• Main Author: Thomson, Jason David
• Other Authors: Kuhn, R.G.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 1998
• Subjects: northern Canad; protected areas; Yukon; protected area management strategies; settlement; Aboriginal claims; local community involvement; Haines Junction; Whitehorse
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/25473

A number of characteristics, unique to northern Canada, have together resulted in the adoption of fundamentally different processes for establishing protected areas in that region from those traditionally utilised in the south. Governmental recognition of these characteristics, in combination with the 1993 settlement of the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA) comprehensive land claim, has led to the development of unique arrangements in the Yukon for protected area co-management by state and aboriginal interests. This study aims to evaluate changes to Yukon protected area management strategies pursuant to the settlement of aboriginal claims and increased local community involvement. Based on primary data, recommendations are proposed in order to facilitate the overcoming of constraints to effective co-management of Yukon protected areas. Interviews were conducted with 30 key informants during fieldwork in Whitehorse and Haines Junction, Yukon, from June 9 to August 9, 1997. Nine principles necessary for the achievement of protected area co-management goals are identified, and participants' perspectives are examined and presented in terms of similarities and differences according to key and measurable attributes associated with these principles. Although the various joint management structures are still in an early stage of development, results indicate that significant progress toward the goal of protected area co-management is being achieved.