Fortymile caribou herd by Malkolm Boothroyd
The Dawson Region is steeped in the history and culture of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people. Land use planning is in its final stages and will shape the region’s future.
For many people, Dawson is synonymous with mining and the Klondike Gold Rush, but the region holds so much more. Dall sheep and wolverines live among the rugged peaks of the Tombstones and Ogilvies, and tens of thousands of Fortymile caribou spill through the hills of the Dawson Range. Birds migrate from across the hemisphere to nest in the wetlands along Scottie Creek and the Indian River, and salmon swim upriver for thousands of kilometres to spawn in gravelled creeks.
Mining has transformed parts of the Dawson Region, from the Klondike Gold Rush up to today. Still, the region hosts vast landscapes of intact boreal forest, wetlands that store ancient peat and carbon, and soaring mountains etched with hoofprints. These landscapes anchor cultural teachings and outdoor pursuits like hiking, paddling, berry picking, hunting and fishing.
Where we stand now – the Final Recommended Plan
An independent six-person Commission, with members nominated by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Yukon Government, is preparing the Dawson Region Plan. They released the Final Recommended Plan on March 31 2026, which builds on a Recommended Plan from 2022 and a draft plan from 2021.
The planning process flows from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s Final Agreement, a treaty that allows everyone to share their vision for the region and shape its future. With this opportunity comes an obligation to uphold the Final Agreement, which speaks about needing to “protect a way of life that is based on an economic and spiritual relationship between Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the land.”
Securing a healthy future for the Dawson Region
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have laid out a comprehensive vision of conservation in the Dawson Region, backed by a deep collective knowledge and understanding of the land. These priorities, presented to the Planning Commission in late 2020 and outlined on the map below, weave together the value of water and waterways, habitat for fish and wildlife, the importance of intact and connected ecosystems, and cultural landscapes rich in stories, songs, traditional place names and long used trails.
CPAWS Yukon echoes these priorities and we hope they will be fully reflected in the final plan.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s conservation priorities map and report, “Ninänkäk hǫzǫ wëk’ä̀tr’ë̀nòhcha (We Take Good Care of Our Land)” can be found here.
The Dawson Land Use Plan’s motto is “On the Land We Walk Together‘/ ‘Nän käk ndä tr’ädäl.” These words represent the importance of people coming together to create a strong future for the Dawson Region. One of the best ways to carry this spirit of partnership forward is for the Yukon government and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to jointly implement the plan.
How you can help
Check out the newly released Final Recommended Plan. There will be a public engagement period in the coming months at which time all Yukoners are invited to share their thoughts through an online survey. We’ll be sharing other opportunities to engage soon!
Stories from the Dawson Region
