T’akú Tlatsini (Places that Make Us Strong) Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area
Round River is excited to share news of a major conservation advancement for the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, with the announcement of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).
Round River first met with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in 1998. At that time, Tlingit spokesperson John Ward asked us about our conservation agenda and spoke about the Tlingit’s history and aspirations. John expressed his opinion that achieving their vision might take a generation. Undeterred by a long-term commitment, Round River agreed to assist their efforts to identify and preserve areas of conservation and cultural importance.
Round River has been honored to work with the Tlingit for the past 25 years to help realize their desired management authority throughout their territory. During the early years, Round River assisted the Tlingit with their work to complete a Tlatsini Vision. The Tlingit word tlatsini means ‘places that make us strong’, and this vision has guided a generation’s worth of efforts and steady achievements.
The Taku River Tlingit’s commitment and determination to protect their territory’s health has yielded significant conservation gains over the years. A co-developed land use plan with the British Columbia government included protected land designations, innovative management arrangements, and, with support from philanthropic organizations, a Tlingit-led conservation organization and fund.
This work, though successful, did not include the whole of the Tlatsini Vision. Today’s leaders, elders, and Tlingit citizens continue to implement the land use plan agreement while advancing their Tlatsini Vision for land protection and stewardship. The linked news article from the Globe and Mail reviews the most recent milestone achievement with the declaration of an IPCA. Round River will continue to support the Taku River Tlingit in the months ahead as they work with Canadian federal and provincial governments to further solidify protections for the IPCA.
To learn more, visit the TRTFN website at https://trtfn.com/tipca/.
