Planning in the Stewart Watershed
Beginning in the Selwyn Mountains, the Stewart River gains strength as it flows west, shaping the land and life found within its watershed.
The Stewart Watershed sits just below the iconic Peel Watershed, and boasts an abundance of wetlands, healthy waters, traditional medicines, and crucial habitat for moose, caribou, bears, sheep, salmon, and birds. Both watersheds are the homelands to the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND), who have lived, travelled and stewarded these lands since time immemorial.
Map by Paula Gomez Villalba. Background photo by Malkolm Boothroyd.
However, this region is under immense pressure for new roads, placer mines, mining exploration, and development without the safeguards of a land plan or adequate mining laws and regulations.
Time and time again, the Yukon government has approved projects either without adequate consultations or adequate planning.
In July 2025, the Yukon government and FNNND officially committed to initiate regional land planning in the area. This builds on work FNNND has done for years to establish their vision for their traditional territories, including through the creation of their own Mining Policy. In a press release about the announcement, Chief Dawna Hope made it clear that new mineral staking and development should not move forward while planning is underway to protect the process and their treaty rights.
Soon, all Yukoners will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the Stewart River watershed. Together with experts and knowledge holders, communities will help to determine which areas should be protected and plan for development in the long-term.
What We’re Doing
CPAWS Yukon is working to ensure that as the regional planning process advances, people, wildlife, and landscapes remain at the forefront, so future generations can continue to benefit from the lands and waters like we do today. We have collaborated with FNNND on multiple river trips, films, and community events to help bring Yukoners together and engage in what is one of the most important processes in the territory. Sign up to the CPAWS Yukon newsletter to stay informed as opportunities emerge to participate in land planning within the Stewart Watershed.
In June 2024, a major heap leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Mine devastated the area. Located about 80 km northwest of Mayo, the Eagle Gold Mine disaster has released over 300 million litres of untreated cyanide solution into the surrounding environment, highlighting the failings of the Yukon’s outdated mining laws and their enforcement.
Flyover the Eagle Mine Disaster site with Malkolm Boothroyd, CPAWS Yukon Campaigns Coordinator.
CPAWS Yukon is echoing FNNND’s calls for a public inquiry into this failure to determine the root cause and to ensure that these repeated mining failures and disasters are never allowed to happen in the Yukon again.
Stories from the Stewart Watershed
