CPAWS celebrates the creation of Ukkusiksalik National Park in Nunavut

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) congratulates the Government of Canada on the announcement creating Ukkusiksalik National Park in Nunavut. Canada’s 41st national park will protect 20,500 sq km of wilderness including Wager Bay – a vast arm of the sea that extends 100 km inland from the northwest corner of Hudson Bay.

“The creation of Ukkusiksalik National Park is the result of many years of work on the part of Inuit communities and Parks Canada, and we applaud their commitment and vision in protecting this magnificent wilderness area for future generations,” said Stephen Hazell, national executive director for CPAWS.

Ukkusiksalik National Park will protect important habitat for caribou, muskox, polar bear, grizzly bear, golden eagles and many other arctic wildlife species. The new park will include a major marine component – home to bearded and ringed seals, and beluga whales. It encompasses a landscape of rolling tundra, cliffs and unique phenomena such as a reversing waterfall, created by the impressive eight-metre tides in the area. It is the first national park to encompass almost an entire watershed. Wager Bay is important to local Inuit communities as a hunting ground, and also because of its cultural significance. More than 500 archaeological sites are found within the park.

The signing ceremony was held in Iqaluit and attended by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, and Nunavut Leader Paul Okalik, as well as Tongola Sandy, President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association.

“Ukkusiksalik is the second new national park announced this year as part of the federal government’s five year action plan to create 10 new national parks, five marine conservation areas and to expand three existing national parks,” noted Alison Woodley, federal/northern campaigner for CPAWS. “The new Gulf Islands National Park in British Columbia was announced in May. We look forward to continuing the great progress that’s being made in protecting Canada’s wildlands over the coming months.”

Click here for a complete list of books about wildlife of Canada