In an announcement issued last week, federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin acknowledged that the critical basin is facing “water quality, quantity” challenges due to industrial activities and climate change.
According to an announcement issued last week, the federal government plans to invest $1 million, including about 400K in the N.W.T., over a two year period towards “protecting and restoring the health” the country’s largest watershed.
“[T]he health of the river basin is challenged by impacts to water quality, quantity and traditional use due to industrial activities, and by climate change impacts such as increasing sediment from melting permafrost and changes to aquatic species,” said Minister Dabrusin.
As the largest watershed in Canada, the basin plays a critical role for the Indigenous communities of Treaty 8 and connecting treaty lands and waters, supporting traditions, economies within diverse ecosystems.
“The Mackenzie River Basin spans five provinces and territories. It holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities. The river also plays a major economic role, supporting key sectors like agriculture, forestry, resource extraction, and hydroelectricity,” said Minister Dabrusin.
The minister said the federal government plans to invest a total of $1 million dollars in six projects focused on “protecting and restoring the health” of the Mackenzie River.
These include two projects within the N.W.T.
The Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board and Aurora College will both receive nearly $200,000 each over a two year period research projects examining the health of Mackenzie basin and freshwater systems in the territory.
Minister Dabrusin said the federal government plans to support the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board with $196,326 over a two years period. The board’s study looks at the health of freshwater ecosystems by examining water samples, sediment cores and aquatic life for long term impact on water quality.
The focus of the work is to better understand how changes in water quality affect the health of the freshwater ecosystem that support traditional food security of Gwich’in and Dene families.
Organizers said the project will also support communities in building skills and knowledge for monitoring freshwater health and the impacts of climate change on traditional food security.
The minister also announced that Aurora College will be supported with $198,950 over a two year period. This project plans to launch a permafrost-lake land system that can be used to shed understanding on environmental characteristics of lakes and how they respond to climate change.
The project will take place in various locations including Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Yellowknife and Behchoko.
The researchers intend to demonstrate various degrees of sensitivity that different types of permafrost lakes have in response to climate shifts.
The project is intended to help communities and decision-makers to better plan and monitor watersheds.
The projects were funded under the Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
