$10,000 award recognizes Netro’s 22 years of extraordinary contributions to conservation
Old Crow, Yukon, May 18th, 2021 – WWF-Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) are honored to announce the remarkable conservation efforts and achievements of Vuntut Gwitchin elder Lorraine Netro, the winner of the fifth and final Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize.
About the winner
Since 1999, Lorraine Netro has dedicated herself to protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which migrates between Canada and Alaska every year and holds great significance to the Gwich’in Nation. As part of this work, Netro has long advocated against oil development within the Arctic Refuge.
Netro also served two terms as MLA for the Vuntut Gwich’in, with shadow cabinet roles for the environment, women and justice. She is a board member for both the Gwich’in Steering Committee and Alaska Wilderness League and sits on the Advisory Committee on Climate Action and the Environment for the Assembly of First Nations.
Netro has been instrumental in guiding and mentoring the new generation of Gwitchin leaders, through her selfless advocacy and dedication to the Porcupine caribou. We are pleased to recognize her outstanding conservation efforts with the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize.
About the Prize
The Glen Davis Conservation Prize has been a 5-year joint project between WWF-Canada and The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). This prize was first established in 2017, on the 10th anniversary of Davis’s death to honour his nationally significant contributions. 2021 marks the final year that the prize will be awarded.
Lorraine Netro, Old Crow, Yukon, says:
“I am truly humbled and honored by this special recognition to receive the Glen Davis award. Glen Davis’s honorable conservation legacy in Canada and beyond is truly memorable and significant.
Mahsi cho to all who made this happen.
As a Gwitchin, it is our belief that we do not accept honorable recognition for ourselves. I will accept this award on behalf of my family, community, our nation, for all those who came before me and those who will come after me, and those who walk with us to protect our Sacred Lands, the animals and waters. Being stewards of our lands has been taught to us from generation to generation, it is our responsibility to our children, grandchildren and all future generations. More so today with threats to our Sacred places and traditional way of life, the challenges of Climate Change and living in pandemic. Our voice, our work is not done until we have permanent protection for our sacred places.”
Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director, CPAWS, says:
“CPAWS is thrilled to recognize Lorraine Netro for this year’s Glen Davis Prize. Lorraine is a respected Vuntut Gwitchin elder who has been working tirelessly for more than 20 years to protect the Arctic Refuge and the Porcupine caribou herd. In that time, she has travelled across North America and visited Washington D.C. dozens of times to speak about the importance of the Porcupine caribou herd for the lives of Gwich’in people. Her first speaking tour in the U.S. was part of the Caribou Commons campaign, which Glen Davis helped fund, so it is a fitting tribute to his legacy that Lorraine is this year’s award recipient. She has never been paid for her conservation work but has done it for the good of her community.”
Monte Hummel, president emeritus of WWF-Canada, says:
“Glen would have been so pleased to see Lorraine win this prize. He helped fund her hard work to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and, on many occasions, personally followed the Porcupine caribou herd during their migration. I even camped with him in the Refuge itself – surrounded by caribou on their sacred calving grounds. Glen loved that place deeply.”
About the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, we have played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.
About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.
Contact
Tracy Walden
National Director, Communications and Development, CPAWS
twalden@cpaws.org
613-915-4857
New poll affirms Yukoners want strong environmental protection
Whitehorse YT- Yukoners overwhelmingly support ambitious conservation measures, according to a new DataPath poll. The results affirm Yukoners’ concern for the environment, and are a reminder to the territory’s next government that issues like climate change, conservation, and mining reform must be priorities.
78% of respondents supported strong targets for the protection of land and water in the Yukon, giving the next Yukon government a clear mandate from the public to be leaders in conservation. This should be achieved through the land use planning process, and by working with First Nations with unceded territory to protect their lands.
Two thirds of respondents backed a target of 100 percent renewable energy generation for the territory. With increasing opportunities to grow wind, hydro and solar generation, this goal should be a target for 2030 in close alignment with Our Clean Future.
Over 70 percent of those polled agreed that much more should be done to clean up mines after closure, while less than a quarter thought the Yukon’s current mining laws were adequate. The newly released Mineral Development Strategy also calls for an overhaul of the Yukon’s century-old mining laws, to bring them in line with the Final Agreements and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“Over the course of its mandate the Yukon’s next government will make decisions with big environmental consequences, and this polling makes clear that Yukoners have high expectations,” said CPAWS Yukon Executive Director, Chris Rider.
“This poll shows that the new government must confront greenhouse gas emissions through green energy initiatives and tackle the failures of the mining industry with stricter laws and tougher strategies,” stated Coral Voss, Executive Director, YCS.
In addition to these results, the federal government is also investing heavily in nature conservation and climate change mitigation strategies, giving the Yukon an opportunity to grow our green economy and achieve numerous conservation wins in the coming years.
The poll was commissioned by CPAWS Yukon and the Yukon Conservation Society, and was conducted independently by DataPath Systems. The poll surveyed 425 Yukon adults, and is considered accurate to within 4.8 percent, 19 times out of 20.
Polling Results
Much more needs to be done to ensure satisfactory mine clean-up after a mine closes. | Completely Disagree | 6% |
Somewhat Disagree | 8% | |
Neither Agree or Disagree | 14% | |
Somewhat Agree | 23% | |
Completely Agree | 49% | |
The current laws that regulate the mining industry are sufficient as they are. | Completely Disagree | 25% |
Somewhat Disagree | 35% | |
Neither Agree or Disagree | 18% | |
Somewhat Agree | 16% | |
Completely Agree | 6% | |
Having all energy generation in the Yukon coming from renewable sources should be a Yukon target. | Completely Disagree | 8% |
Somewhat Disagree | 10% | |
Neither Agree or Disagree | 16% | |
Somewhat Agree | 29% | |
Completely Agree | 38% | |
The Federal government’s target is to permanently protect 25% of Canada’s land and waters by 2025 and 30% of land and waters by 2030. Do you think this target is: | Too low (more land and water than that should be protected) | 31.1% |
About right | 45.7% | |
Too high (less land and water than that should be protected) | 23.1% | |
Do you think the Yukon government should set a target that is: | Lower than the Federal target | 21.6% |
The same as the Federal target | 31.2% | |
Higher than the Federal target | 47.1% |
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Contact
Adil Darvesh | Communications Coordinator, CPAWS Yukon
867-393-8080 x9 | adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
Debborah Donnelly | Director, Outreach and Communications, Yukon Conservation Society
867-668-5678 x1 | outreach@yukonconservation.org
CPAWS Yukon pleased to see nature investments as key part of Budget 2021
Whitehorse, Yukon – The Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon) is pleased to see the federal government provide historic investments in nature conservation; announced today by the federal government as part of Budget 2021.
Budget 2021 proposes to provide the Yukon Government with $25 million in 2021-2022 to support climate change priorities, $2.3 billion nationwide over 5 years to reach targets of 25% protection of land by 2025 and puts special emphasis on Indigenous Guardians programs and working with Indigenous peoples to address species at risk.
The funding announced today also underscores the value of investing in nature conservation as part of pandemic recovery.
As the COVID19 pandemic forced Yukoners to change their way of life, wild spaces played a key role in helping us cope. The evidence is clear that such investments in establishing and managing protected areas, Indigenous-led conversation, and Indigenous Guardian programs are critical to stemming loss of wild spaces and providing Yukoners with improved mental and physical health. These investments in conservation will help ensure that nature will continue to help Yukoners.
“The new Yukon Government will have a golden opportunity to set ambitious conservation targets and meet our climate goals while growing our green economy. Through land use planning and other tools, the Yukon is uniquely positioned to take advantage of these commitments and to ensure a lasting legacy for generations to come” said Chris Rider, Executive Director of the Yukon Chapter.
Today’s funding announcement added onto the funding from Budget 2018 represents the largest investment in nature conservation in Canada’s history.
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Contact
Adil Darvesh | Communications Coordinator, CPAWS Yukon
867-393-8080 x9 | adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
View Budget 2021 here: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2021/
Making Mining Make Sense with CPAWS Yukon
CPAWS Yukon hosted its first in-person event in over a year this past Sunday, at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre (KDCC), screening the film The Shadow of Gold, along with an info session about the Yukon Mineral Development Strategy (YMDS) and its current public comment period.
Sunday’s event kicked off three consecutive film events organized by CPAWS over the next three weeks, two of which are in-person events at the KDCC.
“We feel extremely fortunate and excited to finally be able to host in-person events, it’s been a long time. Over the past few months we’ve seen that in-person film events can be run safely in Yukon, and we are so happy to be able to present these two great films on the big screen.” says Joti Overduin, CPAWS Yukon’s Outreach Manager. “This last public feedback period of the YMDS is a crucial step in how Yukoners can shape the future of how mining is done in the Territory. It’s amazing to have this opportunity to update some people face-to-face in addition to our online events and website info.”
The next in-person screening is on Saturday February 20th at 4pm, and in addition to The Shadow of Gold CPAWS will feature a new short film by local filmmaker and CPAWS Yukon’s Campaign Coordinator, Malkolm Boothroyd. Malkolm’s film, titled You Almost Forget Where You Are, takes you on a journey down the Indian River with staff and citizens of and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Find out why it’s a river unlike any other in the Yukon.
Tickets to events are by donation, and can be ordered both online or by phone at 393-8080 ext 5.
Thursday February 18, 8 – 9 PM online: You Almost Forget Where You Are (a short film about the Indian River) + CPAWS’ info session Making Mining Make Sense
Saturday Feb 20, 4 PM at the KDCC: Double Feature: You Almost Forget Where You Are (a short film about the Indian River) + The Shadow of Gold
Get Tickets Here: https://cpawsyukon.org/events/
Contact
Adil Darvesh, CPAWS Yukon Communications Coordinator
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org | 867-393-8080 x9
New Scotiabank policy means all “Big Five” Canadian banks won’t fund Arctic Refuge drilling.
Whitehorse, YT- Scotiabank pledged today to withhold financing for oil and gas extraction in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Scotiabank’s announcement means that all of Canada’s “Big Five” banks now have policies prohibiting funding for Arctic Refuge drilling. Dozens of banks from around the world have also refused to fund oil and gas development there, meaning that oil companies may be unable to finance drilling in the Arctic Refuge, even if they are successful in acquiring leases before the new administration takes over.
Scotiabank’s policy confirms that “Scotiabank will not provide direct financing or project-specific financial and advisory services for activities that are directly related to the exploration, development or production of oil and gas within the Arctic Circle, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.” The move follows meetings last December between Canada’s largest banks and representatives from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon).
The Gwich’in know the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” It is the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which in turn sustains Gwich’in communities across northern Yukon, NWT and Alaska. The U.S. Government is rushing to auction the Arctic Refuge to oil companies, in spite of multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of their leasing program. The U.S. Government recently invited oil companies to bid on land parcels in the Arctic Refuge, ahead of a lease sale on January 6th.
“Canada’s banks have shown courage and leadership by standing in unison to help protect the Arctic Refuge,” says Chris Rider, Executive Director of CPAWS Yukon. “They have shown how important the Arctic Refuge is to Canada, and it should give pause to any company considering drilling there.” The consensus among Canadian banks on protecting the Arctic Refuge adds to the support from all orders of government in Canada. Yukon Environment Minister Pauline Frost and federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson recently released statements reaffirming their opposition to industrial activity in the Arctic Refuge.
“The next few months are critical to the future of the Arctic Refuge,” said Malkolm Boothroyd, Campaigns Coordinator at CPAWS Yukon. “The outgoing administration in the United States is bent on auctioning the Arctic Refuge to oil companies, even if it’s their last act in office. Canada needs to tell the incoming administration that protecting the Arctic Refuge should be a Day One priority.”
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Media contact:
Adil Darvesh, CPAWS Yukon Communications Coordinator
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org | 867-393-8080 x9
About CPAWS
The Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon) aims to provide a voice for the wilderness and wild spaces in the territory. In a world that is rapidly losing its wilderness due to the impacts of climate change and habitat destruction, we want conservation to be a pillar in the Yukon so that rich wildlife and diverse landscapes receive the protection they deserve. Visit cpawsyukon.org for more.
U.S. Government announces Arctic Refuge lease sale in reckless push for drilling
Whitehorse, YT – The U.S. Government announced today that it will hold a lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on January 6th. The Arctic Refuge is sacred land to the Gwich’in, and the birthplace of the Porcupine caribou herd, which is a lifeblood for Gwich’in communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska.
“This leasing process has lost all legitimacy,” said Malkolm Boothroyd, Campaigns Coordinator with the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon). “Time and again the U.S. Government has downplayed the environmental and cultural consequences of drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and stymied the public’s ability to voice their concerns. Auctioning off the Arctic Refuge to oil companies in this Administration’s final weeks in office is the latest move in a disturbing trend.”
Oil companies that pursue leases in the Arctic Refuge face mounting financial, political and legal uncertainty. A growing list of banks including RBC, BMO, TD, CIBC and the six largest banks in the United States have all pledged never to fund Arctic Refuge drilling, meaning oil companies may struggle to finance their operations. Meanwhile president-elect Biden is on the record as being “totally opposed” to Arctic Refuge drilling, and the new administration could take action on its first day in office to put the brakes on the current leasing program. At the same time, four unresolved lawsuits have challenged the legality of the Arctic Refuge leasing program, one of which was launched by groups including the Gwich’in Steering Committee and CPAWS Yukon.
“The move to hold a lease sale is further evidence that we can’t take anything for granted, even though the current administration’s days are numbered,” said Chris Rider, Executive Director at CPAWS Yukon. “Fortunately there’s still a lot that people can do to make sure the Arctic Refuge is protected. We’re echoing calls from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation for Canadians to phone Prime Minister Trudeau and demand that he voices his support for the Gwich’in and protecting the Arctic Refuge.”
Media Contacts
Adil Darvesh
Communications Coordinator, CPAWS Yukon
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
867-393-8080 x9
Elizabeth Staples
Caribou Coordinator, Vuntut Gwitchin Government
estaples@vgfn.net
(778) 668-0811
Yukon Government rejects ATAC’s proposed road in Beaver River Watershed
Whitehorse, Yukon – Last week, the Government of Yukon advised ATAC Resources Ltd’s that it has rejected their proposed 65 km exploration road that would cut through the Beaver River Watershed. This comes after years of opposition from citizens of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Yukoners, and CPAWS Yukon together with other conservation organizations including the Yukon Conservation Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Slated to be built just below the Peel Watershed, the proposed route cuts through habitat for moose, grizzly bears, salmon, and scores of other wildlife. The science of road ecology clearly shows these species will be harmed by things like habitat loss, road avoidance, and overhunting.
One main condition of the road application was to create a sub-regional land use plan for the Beaver River Watershed. This process gave Na-Cho Nyäk Dun citizens and Yukoners the opportunity to address concerns they had with the road. Many pointed to the negative impact that this road would have on a landscape that is so important for hunting, trapping, recreation, and wildlife habitat. ATAC attempted to bypass this process by submitting a separate application outside of this sub-regional plan, which has been rejected by the Government.
Over the past few years, CPAWS Yukon has organized on-the-land river trips through the Beaver River Watershed with Na-Cho Nyäk Dun citizens to experience, document and share the watershed with others, and provide youth with the confidence and skills to be on the land. These trips helped highlight the cultural importance of places like the Beaver River Watershed and helped equip youth with a better understanding of the area.
As mineral development is being reshaped in the territory, through the Mineral Development Strategy, it is encouraging to see the Government of Yukon take the necessary steps to ensure that citizens have a meaningful say in developments, and that projects will have to meet high standards to be accepted.
“The ATAC road could have opened up the unspoiled Beaver River Watershed to a web of mining roads and development. This decision makes it possible to develop a land use plan for the Beaver River Watershed that’s right for the region, respects the connections people have to it, and safeguards land and water for wildlife.” said Randi Newton, Conservation Manager with CPAWS Yukon.
Contact
Adil Darvesh, CPAWS Yukon Communication Coordinator
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org | 867-393-8080 x9
For more information visit cpawsyukon.org/beaver-river-watershed/
TD’s new climate policy rules out funds for oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge; Arctic as a whole.
TD’s new climate policy rules out funds for oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge; Arctic as a whole.
The Toronto-Dominion bank (TD) unveiled its new Climate Action Plan today, including a pledge to withhold financing for oil and gas extraction in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—and the Arctic as a whole. TD is the third Canadian bank to enact a policy on the Arctic Refuge, following the lead of RBC, BMO and major banks in the United States and overseas. TD’s commitment comes at a key time in the decades-long campaign to protect the Arctic Refuge. The President-elect is on the record as “totally opposed” to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, but the current administration could still attempt to hold a lease sale before inauguration day.
TD’s climate policy confirms that the bank “will not provide any new project-specific financial services, including advisory services, for activities that are directly related to the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas within the Arctic Circle, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.” The move follows meetings last December between Canada’s largest banks and representatives from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon).
Even though the Arctic Refuge is situated in Alaska, it is critically important to Canada. The Refuge is the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which in turn sustains Gwich’in communities across northern Yukon, NWT and Alaska. The Gwich’in know the Arctic Refuge as “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” With TD’s move, the majority of Canada’s major banks now oppose oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge.
“There’s overwhelming consensus in Canada about protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” says Chris Rider, Executive Director of CPAWS Yukon. “This sends a signal that securing permanent protection for the Arctic Refuge is a priority for Canada.”
A growing list of banks have already refused to fund drilling in the Arctic Refuge, including RBC, BMO, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo in the United States, and over a dozen banks overseas. “TD’s decision shows how skeptical the financial world is about drilling in the Arctic Refuge,” said Malkolm Boothroyd, Campaigns Coordinator at CPAWS Yukon. “This is a warning to oil companies that they will struggle to find financing, even if the current administration makes a last-ditch effort to auction the Arctic Refuge away.”
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Media contact:
Adil Darvesh, CPAWS Yukon Communications Coordinator
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
867-393-8080 x9
RBC becomes the first Canadian bank to rule out funding for Arctic Refuge drilling
Whitehorse, Yukon – The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced today that it will withhold financing for oil and gas extraction in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. RBC is the first Canadian bank to enact a policy on the Arctic Refuge, following the lead of major banks in the United States and overseas. RBC’s commitment comes at an important moment in the decades-long campaign to protect the Arctic Refuge. The banking industry is increasingly distancing itself from drilling in the Arctic Refuge, even as the U.S. Government pushes to hold a lease sale there. Last month Gwich’in and environmental groups filed two lawsuits challenging the U.S. Government’s approval of oil leasing.
In its policy RBC recognizes the “particular ecological and social significance and vulnerability” of the Arctic Refuge, and confirms that the bank “will not provide direct financing for any project or transaction that involves exploration or development in the [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge].”
The move follows meetings last December between Canada’s largest banks and representatives from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Yukon). Even though the Arctic Refuge is situated in Alaska, it is critically important to Canada. The Refuge is the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which in turn sustains Gwich’in communities across northern Yukon, NWT and Alaska. The Gwich’in know the Arctic Refuge as “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.”
“The world is shifting away from fossil fuels, and drilling in the Arctic Refuge would be particularly expensive, so it presents a massive financial risk. It would also be devastating for caribou, the Gwich’in and for the climate.” said Chris Rider, Executive Director of CPAWS Yukon. “Refusing to fund Arctic Refuge drilling is the right ethical choice and a good business decision. The pressure is now on the rest of Canada’s banks to step up, and release their own policies.”
A growing list of banks have already refused to fund drilling in the Arctic Refuge, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo in the United States, and over a dozen banks overseas. “RBC’s decision shows how skeptical the financial world is about drilling in the Arctic Refuge,” said Malkolm Boothroyd, Campaigns Coordinator at CPAWS Yukon. “this is a warning to oil companies that they will struggle to find financing if they choose to pursue drilling in the Arctic Refuge.”
The full policy can be found here: https://www.rbc.com/community-social-impact/environment/RBC-Policy-Guidelines-for-Sensitive-Sectors-and-Activities_EN.pdf
Contacts
Adil Darvesh, CPAWS Yukon Communications Coordinator
adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
867-393-8080 x9
Elizabeth Stapes, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Caribou Coordinator
estaples@vgfn.net
867-966-3261
Amber Keegan, Gwich’in Tribal Council Policy, Negotiations and Communications Specialist
amber.keegan@gwichintribal.ca
867-777-7923