First Nation tribe vies for World Heritage Site designation

A Yukon Territory First Nation competing for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site designation is approved for a $700,000 investment from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

The funds announced on Oct 24 by Hon. Nadeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and minister responsible to CanNor, will support the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation in developing the Klondike UNESCO World Heritage Assessment and Strategic Plan and the nomination dossier.

The First Nation will also use the funds to develop a plan to prepare the community to take advantage of tourism and economic opportunities, should the designation be received.  A World Heritage Site designation would draw more visitors to the Klondike, increasing the need for hospitality and service industries, and creating jobs for indigenous peoples in the region.

The designation would also create greater opportunities for community cultural and environmental preservation, CanNor officials said.

The Klondike is in the heart of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in traditional territory. The Tr’ondek-Klondike region celebrates the coexistence of indigenous and non-indigenous culture brought together by the historic gold rush. While tens of thousands of gold seekers transformed the landscape with their mining activities, the Tr’ondek Hwech’in maintained their traditional relationships and activities in the race of enormous changes to their lands.

Complementing CanNor’s investment over a three year period will be the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation contribution of $59,662 to the project.  The Klondike UNESCO nomination project is highlighted in the Tr;ondek Hwech’in regional economic development plan, which promotes sustainable economic development for the traditional territory.

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More information is online at 

www.cannor.gc.ca

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