Buffalo Lake River and Trails
Last updated: November 2008
Buffalo Lake, River and Trails is an area of approximately 2,177 km² that includes the western portion of Ejie Túé (Buffalo Lake) and Ejie Túé Dehé (Buffalo River), and lies within the southeastern corner of the Dehcho Region.
Importance of Buffalo Lake
- The Buffalo Lake area, which consists of Ejie Túé (Buffalo Lake) and Ejie Túé Dehé (Buffalo River), has been important to the K’atł’odeeche First Nation for untold generations. A traditional hunting, trapping and berry harvesting area, the western portion of Buffalo Lake is still used by K’atł’odeeche First Nation harvesters and is the site of the community’s annual fall hunt.
- The Buffalo Lake Area of Interest provides critical habitat for moose, waterfowl, and fish spawning. The area is also rich in cultural history, containing a number of archaeological, spiritual, and culturally significant sites. These include numerous cabins and campsites, trap lines and trails, burial sites, and other sacred areas.
Status
"[We] need this land to teach our children our culture and traditional living." (KFN member, 2006)
- The K’atł’odeeche First Nation is working to permanently protect Buffalo Lake, River, and Trails through the Protected Areas Strategy.
- The K’atł’odeeche First Nation submitted a proposal to the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Natural Resources in April 2009 to sponsor Buffalo Lake, River, and Trails as a Critical Wildlife Area.
- The Buffalo Lake, River, and Trails Area of Interest is at Step 3 of the PAS process, with support from K’atł’odeeche First Nation and Dehcho First Nations. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is reviewing the sponsoring agency proposal.
- The Buffalo Lake, River, and Trails Area of Interest has been protected from new development until October 2010 under an interim land withdrawal, which is part of the Dehcho Interim Measures Agreement.
- This PAS Area of Interest is identified as Conservation Zone 15 in the draft Dehcho Land Use Plan.
Next Steps
- Establish a working group once a sponsoring agency is confirmed.
- Continue the documentation and assessment of the area’s cultural, ecological, and economic values.
Reports
- 2008 - Buffalo Lake | Non-Renewable Resource Assessment (full text pdf)
- 2007 - Buffalo Lake | Ecological Assessment Phase 1 (summary pdf | full text pdf)
- 2007 - Buffalo Lake | Hydrocarbon Assessment Summary Report (link)
