December 15, 2023 Iqaluit, Nunavut Parks Canada
National parks are gateways to discovering, learning about, and connecting with nature. Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and takes actions to protect national parks and national marine conservation areas and contributes to the recovery of species at risk.
The new management plan for Quttinirpaaq National Park was tabled in Parliament on December 12, 2023. Reviewed every ten years, management plans are a requirement of the Canada National Parks Act and guide the management of national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas.
Part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Quttinirpaaq National Park is located at the tip of Ellesmere Island. Named by Inuit, "Quttinirpaaq" meaning "at the top" - a fitting name for the most northern national park in Canada, located less than 800 kilometres from the North Pole.
Based on input from Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord Inuit and other partners, including federal and territorial government departments, Inuit organizations, academic researchers, and visitors past and present, the second management plan for Quttinirpaaq National Park will guide the park's management over the next ten years while ensuring Inuit rights are protected and Inuit knowledge or Qaujimajatuqangit is used to guide management decisions.
Through this management plan, Parks Canada will protect an important example of natural heritage in Canada, will engage and collaborate with Inuit, and will provide an opportunity for Canadians to experience and discover our environment in new and innovative ways.
The new plan for Quttinirpaaq National Park outlines the following key strategies:
· Honouring Shared Commitments: Strengthen Inuit engagement in the Quttinirpaaq National Park through active involvement in park management, thereby fostering economic opportunities and community connections in adjacent areas.
· Working Together: Parks Canada collaborates with partners to strengthen Inuit engagement in Quttinirpaaq National Park. Through collaboration, we will strive to align research, tourism, and infrastructure initiatives in Quttinirpaaq with community interests, and strengthen Inuit involvement in research efforts.
· Learning from People and Land: The management of Quttinirpaaq National Park will bring together science and Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit knowledge) to foster Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq (respect and care for the environment) and increase our understanding of the natural and cultural values of the park and the greater region. This knowledge will be used to encourage global appreciation and understanding of the High Arctic, the impacts of climate change and Inuit ingenuity in adapting to challenges and changing circumstances.
The Quttinirpaaq National Park Management Plan is available for viewing on the Parks Canada website at:
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nu/quttinirpaaq/info/plan/gestion-management-2023.
