"Protect the Peel" project

The Peel River, winding through the heart of the Canadian Arctic, is not only a vital lifeline for the region's ecosystem but also the ancestral home of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr’ondёk Hwёch’in, Teetl'it Gwich’in, and Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. The Peel Watershed is made up of three winding rivers that are surrounded by towering mountains, sweeping valleys and dense boreal forest. Much of this area was free from glaciation for millions of years, meaning that many of the plant species found here are biologically unique. The Peel is also home to rare grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, moose, and the largest land mammal herd in the world, the caribou.

For thousands of years, the Teetl'it Gwich’in have migrated through the Peel Watershed with the caribou, living off the berries and shrubs, the animals, and the crystal-clear water. To this day, this region remains a living history book of the Teetl'it Gwich’in, the origin of their ancestors, their way of life, culture, and traditions—it is their identity.

In 2007 and 2008, the Teetl'it Gwich'in and Wilderness International organized joint expeditions to the Peel River Watershed and to Germany. These trips were instrumental in raising awareness of the conflict between the land use plan favoured by First Nations and the thousands of mining claims in the region. At that time, the legal case had not yet gone to court, but a commission had been established to resolve the conflict. During these early expeditions, young people visited their traditional lands together with older members of the community, and cross-cultural exchanges also took place in Germany. The Teetl'it Gwich'in shared their culture and way of life and drew international attention to the protection of their homeland. In Germany, they also visited an open-cast coal mine and the Saxon Switzerland National Park, which was a desolate, treeless landscape only 150 years ago.

In 2015, after learning that the case would be taken to the Supreme Court of Canada, we decided to revive the project. This led to another expedition to the Peel in 2017, reinforcing the ongoing need for global support in the fight for land and Indigenous rights. This new phase of the project coincided with the escalation of the legal dispute. This re-emphasized the importance of international advocacy and community involvement in the face of industrial threats to the land.

The expeditions brought together Gwich'in and German youth, elders, scientists and conservationists - all with the same goal: to raise awareness for the protection of the Peel. They had the opportunity to reconnect with the land and learn what was at stake by discovering the beauty and cultural significance of the land. Several scientific studies were also carried out and four papers were published on the properties of medicinal plants, further highlighting the ecological importance of the watershed.

In 2017, the great decision came: 80% of the Peel River watershed will be permanently protected! That's 55,858 km² of ecologically and culturally significant mountain wilderness that will remain untouched by industry forever.

This case also represents a groundbreaking legal milestone! It is the first time a First Nation land use plan has been vigorously defended at this level in the Canadian legal system. It's not just a victory - it's a historic turning point that sets a strong precedent for future decisions and makes its impact even more monumental!