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93-458: There are several different landforms in the park that have taken millions of years to form, and give it a diversity not seen in any other national park in Canada . Sediment left by an ancient inland sea 500–200 million years ago had since become pressed into layers of rock. These layers were stacked about 6 km (3.7 mi) deep and are peppered with fossils, remnants of these ancient sea beds. As

186-631: A country dependent on natural resources, Canada's national parks represent a compromise between the demand for profit from the land's resources and tourism and the need for preservation and sustainable development . While conservationist ideas and a Canadian desire towards getting back to nature were evident in the early development of national parks in Canada, a greater role was played by chambers of commerce, local governments, promoters of tourism, and recreational groups who advocated for profit-driven commercial development, while incorporating wildlife preservation when possible. Canada's national parks allowed

279-598: A faster rate. As a tactic to increase the number of people travelling to and through national parks, members of each constituency surrounding national parks began to advocate for the construction of well-built roads, including the development of the Trans-Canada Highway . As the main highway travelling through the Canadian Rockies, the Trans-Canada Highway has provided accessible visitation and commerce to

372-488: A few days, but one night were awoken by a group of First Nations people who warned of white figures moving along the valley. In 1947 author Pierre Berton was sent by The Vancouver Sun to cover the north. He, along with pilot Russ Baker , flew up the Headless Valley. Writing on his journey for Macleans Berton remarked, "Frank Henderson himself, a man who perhaps has good reason not to want too many people rushing into

465-467: A few other sites within the park. The local oral history contains many references to the Naha tribe, a mountain-dwelling people who used to raid settlements in the adjacent lowlands. These people are said to have rather quickly and mysteriously disappeared. First contact with European fur traders expanding into the region occurred in the 18th century, and was increased with Alexander Mackenzie's exploration of

558-404: A healthy ecosystem exists. Ecosystems in national parks have often been damaged due to the exploitation of resources, the expansion of tourism, and external land use practices outside national parks. Through Parks Canada realizing the necessity of managing national parks by human hands to maintain biotic and abiotic components, Parks Canada placed an emphasis on ecological integrity within

651-591: A minor shift towards preservationist attitudes over Canada's parks as recreational use and development was still permitted. The initial ideal of national parks was to create uninhabited wilderness. Creating this required the displacement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents who lived within the intended park boundaries, and restrictions on how these residents had previously used the land and resources within parks for subsistence. Jasper National Park , established in 1907, restricted income-generating activities such as hunting, along with culturally valuable practices of

744-506: A path to the famous gold fields of the Yukon , or to try and make their fortune on the Flat and South Nahanni Rivers. Although no significant gold was recovered, legends of haunted valleys and lost gold emerged after the headless corpses of Métis prospectors Willie and Frank McLeod were found around 1908. The Lost McLeod Mine , a legendary lost mine somewhere in the park, is supposed to have been where

837-535: A prairie restoration. The bison grazing patterns help to maintain a variety of prairie biodiversity. In Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site , removing Norway rats which were accidentally introduced to the area, is conducted because they eat eggs, as well as juvenile and adult seabirds, and reduce the seabird population. Staff monitor for the return of rats by trapping and poison baits for recovering native seabird populations. Through parks policies and operation practices, Parks Canada has recognized

930-415: A thunderous plume. In the centre of the falls is a dramatic spire of resistant rock called Mason's Rock (after Bill Mason , the famous Canadian canoeist, author, and filmmaker). The falls were initially located downstream at the east end of Fourth Canyon, and, over the centuries, carved their way through the limestone rock that surrounds the river. This continuous erosion shifted the falls upstream and created

1023-673: A variety of landscapes that mark Canada's natural heritage. On July 20, 1871, the Crown Colony of British Columbia committed to Confederation with Canada. Under the union's terms, Canada was to begin construction of a transcontinental railway to connect the Pacific Coast to the eastern provinces. As the Canadian Pacific Railway surveyors began to study the land in 1875, the location of the country's natural resources sprouted further interest. Evidence of minerals quickly introduced

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1116-607: A wide range of protected areas, encompassing National Historic Sites , National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCA), and National Park Reserves. Canada established its first national park in Banff in 1885, and has since expanded its national park system to include 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves. Canada's first national park , located in Banff , was established in 1885. Tourism and commercialization dominated early park development, followed closely by resource extraction. Commodifying

1209-549: A worldview of ecology and abundance to one where the environment acted as a limited resource. Created in 1909, the Commission of Conservation became the Canadian forum for conservation issues, acting as an advisory and consultative body used to answer questions related to conservation and better utilization of Canada's natural and human resources. The Commission focused on a concept that maximized future profits through good management in

1302-798: Is a cluster of peaks and walls in the Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region. According to the tourism promotion authority of the government of Northwest Territories: A challenge for world class mountaineers, the Cirque is located in the Ragged Range, near Glacier Lake. The Cirque's most famous peak – a must for every serious climber - is the Lotus Flower Tower , featured in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America . The Vampire Spires are granite towers some 40 km away that challenge even

1395-597: Is by floatplane or by helicopter, usually from Fort Simpson but other communities and locations offering a gateway into the park include: Watson Lake , Muncho Lake , Fort Nelson and Inconnu Lodge. Some people do hike in from the Nahanni Range Road at Tungsten to the west of the park. In 2007 the park was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Canada in a competition sponsored by CBC Television 's The National and CBC Radio One 's Sounds Like Canada . The park

1488-582: Is currently one NMCA Reserve: Two areas are under consideration as a National Marine Conservation Area or NMCA Reserve: In addition to national parks, a National Landmarks program was foreseen in the 1970s and 1980s, but has not been established beyond a single property. Landmarks were intended to protect specific natural features considered "outstanding, exceptional, unique, or rare to this country. These natural features would typically be isolated entities and of scientific interest." To date, only one Landmark has been established— Pingo National Landmark —in

1581-476: Is estimated to be the home of around 500 grizzly bears, two herds of woodland caribou, as well as species of alpine sheep and goats and other species. The new boundary will include the highest mountains and largest ice fields in the Northwest Territories. With the expansion of the park there have been several added designated landing sites. Because most access to the park is done by aircraft and air access

1674-474: Is expected that park reserves will become national parks under the National Parks Act when the land claims are resolved. These include: The following areas have been proposed as Parks or Reserves, studied, and discussed among stakeholders: In addition, Parks Canada is considering other areas for future national parks: National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are a relatively new creation within

1767-569: Is restricted in the park, there are set places aircraft can land. Before the expansion these were limited to Virginia Falls and Rabbitkettle Lake. Now there are five more: the Bunny Bar, Island Lake, Honeymoon Lake, Glacier Lake, and Seaplane Lake. However, only Virginia Falls and Glacier Lake are designated for day use visitation, meaning all other sites require visitors to stay overnight in the park. A visitor centre in Fort Simpson features displays on

1860-580: Is the highest mountain in the Northwest Territories. Slightly further north lies Mount Sir James MacBrien ( 62°07′23″N 127°40′47″W  /  62.12306°N 127.67972°W  / 62.12306; -127.67972  ( Mount Sir James MacBrien ) ), the territories second highest peak at 2,759 m (9,052 ft), and Lotus Flower Tower (2,570 m (8,430 ft), 62°06′51.6″N 127°41′50.4″W  /  62.114333°N 127.697333°W  / 62.114333; -127.697333  ( Lotus Flower Tower ) ) both of which form part of

1953-476: Is the only area of the park where a reservation is required, which must be done months in advance to prevent overcrowding. For safety reasons, all visitors must register with park officials upon entering the park boundaries, and deregister within 24 hours of leaving. There is a park office in Nahanni Butte at the end of the river, where visitors can deregister. The only practical way to get to Nahanni National Park

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2046-586: The Cirque of the Unclimbables ( 62°06′06″N 127°40′15″W  /  62.10167°N 127.67083°W  / 62.10167; -127.67083  ( Cirque of the Unclimbables ) ). At Virginia Falls , or Nailicho in Dene ( 61°36′26″N 125°44′12″W  /  61.60722°N 125.73667°W  / 61.60722; -125.73667  ( Virginia Falls ) ), the river plunges 90 m (295 ft) into

2139-509: The Mackenzie River (Deh Cho), and building of trading posts at Fort Simpson and Fort Liard . At both of these John McLeod , a Scottish explorer of the area, was to serve as manager. During the 19th century, most Dene families left their nomadic lifestyles and settled into more permanent communities, often close to the trading posts. Permanent settlements were established at locations such as Nahanni Butte, Fort Liard and Fort Simpson. In

2232-449: The National Parks Act was established. Under this act, mineral exploration and development were banned and only limited use of timber was permitted within the parks. For Canada to continue its economic success through resource development, the boundaries of Canada's national parks were altered prior to the 1930 Act in order to exclude resource rich land from park areas. The exclusion of resource development in Canada's national parks marked

2325-520: The Northwest Territories . Another was proposed at the same time (1984)— Nelson Head National Landmark —on the southern tip of Banks Island , also in the Northwest Territories. It was to include some 180 km (70 sq mi), 40 km (25 mi) of coastline, and protect the sea cliffs at Nelson Head and Cape Lambton. Durham Heights were to be included, which reach an elevation of 747 m (2,450 ft). The legislation providing for

2418-555: The Aboriginal groups who had used the region. Jasper is a large park in the southern, frequently visited portion of Canada, and one of many parks geared towards tourism more than preservation. Most parks are designed to have the appeal of uninhabited wilderness while also having amenities and roads to facilitate visitors. Human activity within the park was allowed, but primarily only those activities that generated revenue, such as snowboarding and lodging for tourists. Some have claimed that

2511-511: The Acadians who comprised approximately 85 percent of the over 1,500 people who were displaced to create the park. Many inhabits dispossessed of their land by Parks Canada resisted, and the Acadian residents' resistance of eviction was extensive enough to delay the official opening of the park until 1979. Through protest and civil disobedience, they won greater compensation from the government to address

2604-636: The Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks have been officially designated land as wilderness in national parks. The boundaries of all communities in national parks are changed and the developments of commerce in their communities are restricted. Profit no longer became priority and initiative for preservation through ecological integrity increased. To maintain or restore ecological integrity, ecosystem restorations are implemented in many parks, attempting to bring back damaged ecosystems to their original healthy state and making them sustainable. For example, Grasslands National Park brought back Bison bison for

2697-555: The Cirque. True to their name, these ragged peaks were shaped by the last ice age, and are some of the highest in the Northwest Territories. Remote and towering cliffs and icefields challenge hikers and climbers. This is the summer range of woodland caribou, mountain goats, Dall's sheep and bears. In 1955, the mountaineer Arnold Wexler came across this series of remote cliffs in the Logan Mountains, now part of Nahanni National Park Reserve. Frustrated by their sheer granite walls, he named

2790-470: The Fourth Canyon. Due to the mist created by the water, and favorable microclimates in the immediate vicinity of the falls, several terrestrial, boreal orchid species are found, including Calypso bulbosa , Cypripedium parviflorum and passerinum , Galearis rotundifolia , and Platanthera aquilonis , huronensis and obtusata . Downstream from the falls, there are many notable rapids on

2883-841: The Interim Park Management Arrangement, until the Dehcho Process is completed. On 9 June 2009 the Government of Canada , with the Dehcho First Nations, announced legislation that will increase the area of Nahanni National Park to cover 30,050 km (11,602 sq mi), including 91% of the Greater Nahanni ecosystem in the Dehcho Region and most of the South Nahanni River watershed. The new park area

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2976-524: The Labrador Inuit Park Impacts and Benefits Agreement with Inuit Association. As with the Ivvavik agreement, it ensures that Inuit can continue to use land and resources as their traditional activities and keep their exclusive relationship with the land and ecosystems. In addition, they agreed to manage the park cooperatively. A seven-member co-operative management board will be established to advise

3069-726: The Landmark required a formal request be made by the Minister of the Environment within 10 years (until 1994). None was ever made. [REDACTED] Canada portal [REDACTED] Geography portal Cirque of the Unclimbables Cirque of the Unclimbables , located inside the Nahanni National Park Reserve , in the Northwest Territories , Canada, approximately 500 km (311 mi) west of Yellowknife ,

3162-673: The North Mound are required to be barefoot. The park's sulphur hot springs , alpine tundra , mountain ranges, and forests of spruce and aspen are home to many species of birds, fish and mammals. The park lies within three of Canada's ecozones , the Taiga Cordillera in the west, the Taiga Plains in the east and a small southern portion in the Boreal Cordillera . According to Parks Canada , there are about 42 mammal species in

3255-668: The Northwest Territories. Qausuittuq, Quttinirpaaq, Sirmilik and Ukkusiksalik, in Nunvut. Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains and Torngat Mountains in Newfoundland and Labrador. Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The Bruce Peninsula and Rouge in Ontario. Wapusk, Manitoba, and Gwaii Haanas and Gulf Islands in British Columbia. A national park reserve is an area administered and protected like a national park but subject to Indigenous land claims . It

3348-511: The Rocky Mountains Park Bill was proposed, it elicited various criticisms at the time, one being the implicit contradiction between the exploitation of resources within this national reservation. However, the overarching nineteenth century ideology that lumbering and mining would contribute to the usefulness of the reserve as opposed to depreciating the park overshadowed the concerns of resource exploitation. The natural resources within

3441-565: The Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). These include the common nighthawk , grizzly bear , olive-sided flycatcher , peregrine falcon , rusty blackbird , short-eared owl , wood bison , woodland caribou , wolverine and yellow rail . In addition, the bull trout and the Nahanni aster are listed, but without status; the Canada warbler and western toad are listed as possibly existing in

3534-756: The area. The River , a book by Cheryl Kaye Tardif, is based on stories and legends from the area. The Nahanni River and its surroundings has also been featured in the French book La Vallée Sans Homme , written in 1973 by Roger Frison-Roche . National Parks of Canada National parks of Canada Parcs Nationaux du Canada   ( French ) [REDACTED] Herbert Lake in Banff National Park , Alberta [REDACTED] Distribution and location of national parks in Canada National parks of Canada are vast natural spaces located throughout

3627-600: The area. The highway is designed to provide a heavy flow of traffic, while also including many accessible pull-offs and picnic areas. With a high frequency of travelers and many destinations to stop, tourism boomed after the Trans-Canada Highway was established. As the highway travels through Banff and the Bow Valley area, it includes scenic views of most of the mountains, and an environment rich with wildlife. With an increase in tourism to Rocky Mountain Park, growth and prosperity came to

3720-478: The bird sanctuary in Point Pelee, began developing. In order to push their views further, this movement, headed by James B. Harkin and Arthur Oliver Wheeler , was forced to argue that divine scenery was itself a source of profit – tourism – in order to push aside what they saw as a far greater avenue of exploitation: resource extraction. By 1930, even the conservation movements within Canada came to understand that

3813-571: The construction of mines and resource exploitation in Canada's previously untouched wilderness. Exploration led to the discovery of hot springs near Banff, Alberta , and in November 1885, the Canadian Government made the springs public property, protecting them from possible private ownership and exploitation. This event brought about the beginning of Canada's movement towards preserving land and setting it aside for public usage as national parks. By

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3906-480: The continents shifted, the North American and Pacific Plates collided, the force of which pushed the layers of rock upwards. Ridges of rock bent and broke, leaving behind the ranges seen today. This same action also caused volcanic activity, sending magma into but not through the sedimentary rock. While there are no volcanoes in the park, towers of heated rock called igneous batholiths were sent upwards, pushing

3999-587: The country that are protected by Parks Canada , a government agency. Parks Canada manages the National Parks and Reserves in order to protect and preserve the Canadian wildlife and habitat that fall within the ecosystems of the park, keep them safe, educate visitors, and ensure public enjoyment in ways that do not compromise the area for future generations. The areas that fall within Parks Canada's governance include

4092-456: The country's national parks had an entrenched system of profit-based motives. The Parks Canada Agency Act came into action in 1998 to ensure the protection of parks for further generations' use and national interest as places of cultural and historical importance. According to Parks Canada, ecological integrity is a state with three elements: non-living elements, living elements, and a series of ecological functions. By having all three elements,

4185-520: The creation of the first administrative body, the Dominion Parks Branch, now known as Parks Canada , to administer national parks in Canada. With the Branch in place, the parks system expanded from Banff eastward, combining both use and protection as the foundation to national park management. The major motives behind the creation of national parks in Canada were profit and preservation. Inspired by

4278-457: The development of a campground, trailer park, and other attractions. Cave and Basin Springs were forced to rebuild their bathing pools in 1904 and then again in 1912, because of growing public interest in the hot springs. By 1927, campground accommodations at Tunnel Mountain were adapting to include room for trailers as well as tents. Due to increased demand, the campground was extended, and by 1969 it

4371-557: The establishment and success of Yellowstone National Park in the United States, Canada blended the conflicting ideas of preservation and commercialism in order to satisfy its natural resource needs, conservationist views of modern management, a growing public interest in the outdoors and the new popularity of getting back to nature. This growing interest to escape the hustle and bustle of the city brought about ideas of conserving Canada's unspoiled wildernesses by creating public parks. As

4464-528: The federal government added an extra 5,400 km (2,085 sq mi). In a novel form of cooperation between federal government and native groups, the Naha Dehe Consensus Team was formed in June 2000 by Canada and the Dehcho First Nations. Their original main tasks included: In 2003, these were completed and the purpose of the team changed, now dealing with cooperative management issues, according to

4557-436: The federal minister of Environment for the matters of parks eco-management. Parks Canada recognized Indigenous knowledge and their unique historical and cultural relationship with the lands, and thus, Parks Canada started to cooperate with Indigenous people for park management. Following 1985, began the creation of new national parks or national park reserves, including Aulavik, Nááts’ihch’oh, Tuktut Nogait and Thaidene Nëné, in

4650-507: The governmental, academic, and public level. Canada's national parks were no longer places of unlimited natural resources, but were now considered a place where resources needed to be conserved through regulation to ensure future and continued use. J.B. Harkin , the Parks Commissioner in 1911, advocated the complete eradication of coal and mineral extraction in the parks. However, Harkin's vision did not come to fruition until 1930 when

4743-536: The history, culture and geography of the area. The park was among the world's first four natural heritage locations to be inscribed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1978. The South Nahanni River achieved Canadian Heritage River status in 1987. Presently around 800–1000 people visit the park every year, most of which are overnight visitors who travel down the South Nahanni. The park is open year-round, but most visitors come in June, July, and August. Virginia Falls

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4836-499: The idea of going down the river with inflatable dinghies. During the following four consecutive expeditions in the valley Jean Poirel discovered more than 250 caverns. The most important contained 116 Dall sheep 's skeletons ( carbon-14 dated to 2500 years BC); Jean Poirel named it "Valerie Cavern" after his daughter. He took topographic notes and drew detailed maps, paving the way for the park's creation. During his last expedition in 1972, he escorted Pierre Trudeau , who came to evaluate

4929-761: The importance of community involvement in order to sustain a healthy ecosystem. The transition towards developing parks as a place of preservation began with the National Parks Act of 1930. This event marked a shift in park management practices. Revised in 1979 under the National Parks Policy, the Act placed greater emphasis on preserving the natural areas in an unimpaired state through ecological integrity and restoration, moving away from development based heavily on profit. Acting as national symbols, Canada's national parks exist in every province and territory representing

5022-521: The importance of working together with Indigenous peoples and other communities to manage parks' healthy ecosystem within and around national parks. In 1984, Ivvavik National Park was established as a result of an Aboriginal land claim agreement. Now, Ivvavik is managed co-operatively by Parks Canada and the Inuvialuit. Their mutual goals are to protect wild life , keep the ecosystem healthy and protect their cultural resources. In addition, they ensure

5115-579: The late 1880s, Thomas White , Canada's Minister of the Interior, responsible for federal land management, Indian affairs, and natural resources extraction, began establishing a legislative motion towards establishing Canada's first national park in Banff. May 1911 marked one of the most significant events in the administration and development of national parks in Canada as the Dominion Forest Reserves and Parks Act received royal assent. This law saw

5208-727: The late 19th century, the Mountain Indians of the Nahanni region would travel down the Nahanni River each spring in mooseskin boats to trade the winter take of furs. These boats, based on the York boats used by the Hudson's Bay Company , were up to 20 m (66 ft) in length. Constructed from six to ten untanned moose hides sewn together and stretched over a spruce pole frame, these boats would transport entire families, their dogs and cargo of furs down

5301-603: The loss of fishing within the park that had previously been their main source of income. The resistance of the Acadians impacted future park creation, as in 1979 Parks Canada announced that it would no longer use forced relocation in new parks. An advisory committee was created by Parks Canada in 2008 to reflect on the Kouchibouguac process and address outstanding grievances. In the late 19th century, Canadians changed their view of nature and resources as opinions started to focus on conservationist ideas. They were transitioning from

5394-533: The lower canyons. Big Bend, a point where the river does a 45-degree turn, marks the end of Third and the beginning of Second Canyon. At 15 km (9.3 mi) long, it runs through the Headless Range. The final canyon is considered the most beautiful. Beginning after Deadmen Valley, First Canyon boasts the highest, most vertical walls, cutting through very resistant limestone. It ends near Kraus Hotsprings, making it about 30 km (19 mi) long. Following this,

5487-410: The national parks that marked a shift from profit to preservation. The change in values is derived from the establishment of 1930 National Parks Act that limited use of resource for park management, and in 1979, under revised National Parks Policy, the maintenance of ecological integrity was prioritized for the preservation of national parks of Canada. In 1988, the National Parks Act was amended and

5580-528: The only known nesting site of the whooping crane . Fish found in the park include, Arctic grayling , burbot , inconnu , lake trout , lake chub , lake whitefish , longnose dace , longnose sucker , mountain whitefish , northern pike , round whitefish , slimy sculpin , spoonhead sculpin , spottail shiner and trout-perch . The diverse range of soils offers several specialized and uncommon habitats. More than 700 species of vascular plants and 300 species of both bryophytes and lichen can be found in

5673-622: The park system. There are currently three NMCAs: Fathom Five National Marine Park and Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park were created prior to the NMCA concept, and subsequently classified as an NMCA without changing their legal names. NMCAs have a different mandate than their terrestrial counterparts. They are designed for sustainable use, although they usually also contain areas designed to protect ecological integrity . Similar to national park reserves, National Marine Conservation Area Reserves are intended to become full NMCAs once claims are resolved. There

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5766-582: The park, as did Ivvavik National Park in the Northern Yukon. Through grassroots organizations and political lobbying, Indigenous residents of these areas were able to have greater influence over the process of park creation. For both Kluane and Ivvavik parks, Indigenous organizations protested and testified to Parliamentary Committees, describing how these restrictions infringed on their ability to provide for themselves through traditional fishing, hunting, and trapping. Ivvavik National Park, established in 1984,

5859-523: The park, giving it a richer variety than any other area in the NWT. Nahanni aster is a very rare species of aster found only in the Park. The Dene , sometimes called Slavey peoples, have used the lands around Nahanni National Park Reserve for thousands of years. The first human occupation of the area is estimated to have occurred 9,000-10,000 years ago. Evidence of prehistoric human use has been found at Yohin Lake and

5952-405: The park, in addition to around 180 types of bird, 16 fishes and a few hardy amphibians, with the wood frog being the most commonly-found in the region. In the State of the Park Report 2009 , the NWT government named ten special-concern, threatened , or endangered species that the Nahanni National Park Reserve provides appropriate year-round or seasonal habitat for, according to the Committee on

6045-1181: The park. Mammal species found in the park include the American black bear , American mink , beaver , Arctic ground squirrel , Canada lynx , collared pika , Dall sheep , fisher , grey wolf , hoary bat , hoary marmot , least chipmunk , least weasel , moose , muskrat , northern myotis , mule deer , pine marten , red fox , red squirrel , river otter , Rocky Mountain goat , snowshoe hare , white-tailed deer and several types of shrew and vole . Birds are numerous, and include American kestrel , bald and golden eagles , barred owl , belted kingfisher , boreal owl , black-capped and boreal chickadees , Canada goose , Canada jay , eared grebe , great grey owl , great horned owl , grouse , gulls , gyrfalcon , harlequin ducks , horned grebe , loons (the common , Pacific , red-throated and yellow-billed ), mallards , northern harrier , northern shrike , osprey , pied-billed grebe , ptarmigan , redpoll , red-necked grebe , red phalarope , sandpipers and plovers , sharp-shinned hawk , snow goose , surf scoter , swallows , woodpeckers and sapsuckers , and trumpeter and tundra swans . It also includes

6138-408: The park. This has left many geological features in the park much more time to develop than most of North America had. The central feature of the park is the South Nahanni River which runs the length of the park, beginning near Moose Ponds and ending when it meets the Liard River near Nahanni Butte . The South Nahanni is a rare example of an antecedent river . The mountains rose slowly enough, and

6231-476: The parks to profit Canada's national economy as well as conserving the natural areas for public and future use became an integrated method of park creation. The process of establishing national parks has often forced the displacement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of areas within the proposed park boundaries. Conflicts between the creation of parks and the residents of the area have been negotiated through co-management practices, as Parks Canada acknowledged

6324-444: The parks were seen as being unlimited and therefore should be used as it was economically beneficial for the nation. By 1911, as Canadians became aware of the depletion occurring within America's natural resources, a debate focused on the extent of resource exploitation in Canada's national parks erupted. This debate began as early as 1906 at the Forestry Convention in Ottawa as it stimulated a new interest in conservation which spoke to

6417-459: The pools of water. These pools range in size from that of a bathtub to that of a fingernail. This process takes a great deal of time, and it is believed that the mounds themselves are around 10,000 years old, their creation beginning at the end of the last ice age. These rare and fragile features are protected as a Zone 1, Special Preservation Area, and all visitors must be accompanied by Parks Canada staff in order to minimize impact and visitors to

6510-414: The present. Rather than preserving through non-use, the commission was concerned with managing resources for long-term gain. Other conservation-minded organizations, like the Alpine Club , had different ideas that focused on the preservation of natural wilderness and opposed any type of development or construction. This movement was successful as the creation of parks solely for preservation purposes, like

6603-401: The preservation of the Inuvialuit traditional way of living, including trapping, hunting and fishing. Another example is Torngat Mountains National Park . In 2005, it was established as a result of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. It preserves the aboriginal rights of the Labrador Inuit in Canada, which are land, resources and self-government rights. The federal government also signed

6696-405: The public an avenue into nature, while also integrating ideas of preserving Canada's scenic landscape and wildlife populations in an era of development and major resource extraction. The integration of public visitation for national parks in Canada heavily contributed to the beginnings of public constituencies for certain parks. The parks who mobilized with a public constituency tended to prosper at

6789-481: The region. Originally established in 1972, by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, the park was 4,766 km (1,840 sq mi) in area. The park was in "reserve" status pending settlement of outstanding Aboriginal land claims in the region. In 2003, an agreement between the Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada gave temporary protection to 23,000 km (8,880 sq mi). In August 2007,

6882-500: The regulation of ecological integrity was embodied. However, due to the conflicting interests of profit and preservation, the maintenance of ecological integrity has progressed slowly. The big movement on maintenance of ecological integrity has happened since 2001. Canada National Parks Act of 2001 reinforced the necessity of maintenance and restorations of ecological integrity by saving natural resources and ecosystem. It sets new principles for park management plans. Wilderness areas in

6975-465: The river during high water. Upon arrival the boat was dismantled and the hides traded along with the furs. Following a visit to the forts, these people would return to the high country with only what they could carry on their pack dogs. The stories of the Naha, and dangerous landscape that they inhabited, grew in stature with the Klondike Gold Rush as some explorers attempted to use the Nahanni as

7068-540: The river slows and braids into different channels, passing through the park boundary, and coming together again near the village of Nahanni Butte. Soon after the town, the South Nahanni River joins the Liard River. Notable mountains in the park include Mount Nirvana ( 61°52′29″N 127°40′49″W  /  61.87472°N 127.68028°W  / 61.87472; -127.68028  ( Mount Nirvana ) ), officially an unnamed peak, which at 2,773 m (9,098 ft)

7161-451: The river was powerful enough, that it maintained its course over its history, meaning it has approximately the same path today as it did before the mountains rose. As the river was meandering, the canyons it carved while entrenching also meander. Most visitors only visit the portions from Virginia Falls ( Nailicho ) down. There are four main canyons that line the South Nahanni River, named by prospectors, numbering them as they travelled up

7254-478: The river, including Figure Eight, George's Riffle, and Lafferty's Riffle. The Rabbitkettle ( Gahnîhthah ) Hotsprings and tufa mounds ( 61°56′36″N 127°10′49″W  /  61.94333°N 127.18028°W  / 61.94333; -127.18028  ( Rabbitkettle Hotsprings and tufa mounds ) ) are the largest of tufa mounds in Canada. The largest of the mounds, the North Mound, is 27 m (89 ft) high and 74 m (243 ft) across. The source of

7347-439: The river. The fourth canyon, also called Painted Canyon or Five Mile Canyon due to its length, begins with Virginia Falls, and was created as the falls eroded the limestone surrounding the river, working its way upstream. Third canyon runs through Funeral Range, around 40 km (25 mi) long. Because its walls are composed of strata of shale, sandstones and limestone, this canyon has long slopes instead of steep, flat walls like

7440-493: The sediment further up. The top layer of sedimentary rock was eventually worn away, resulting in granite towers that form the Ragged Range. Over the last 2 million years, glaciers have covered most of North America, creating most of the land formations seen today. While previous ice ages affected the park area, the most recent, the Wisconsin Ice Age (85,000–10,000 years ago), touched only the most western and eastern parts of

7533-402: The selection of which activities to allow had non-native bias, as it precluded traditional sources of subsistence such as hunting and trapping. Parks in less frequently visited, northern parts of Canada were created with more consideration of Aboriginal usage. Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon initially had restrictions on hunting in order to preserve the presence of wildlife in

7626-552: The springs comes from deep in the Earth's crust, near the base of the granite batholiths that form the Ragged Range. The volcanic activity that raised the mountains still heats the water deep below the surface of the Earth. The heated water percolates upwards, dissolving calcium carbonate from limestone deposits on its way by. When it reaches the surface springs, the water cools and the calcium carbonate particles are released. These microscopic particles settle to form porous calcite rims around

7719-425: The town of Banff. The Banff hot springs were made more accessible after a tunnel was blasted in 1886. Horse-drawn carriages were replaced by buses and taxis, and by the 1960s small cabins had been largely replaced by hotels and motels as the community became geared towards building the national park as a tourist destination. In 1964, the first visitor service centre was established at Lake Louise Station, which included

7812-578: The two brothers found their gold. In the years that followed, mysterious deaths of other prospectors added to the legends. Alternative names given to the park, which include Deadmen Valley, Headless Creek, Headless Range and the Funeral Range, bear testimony to these stories and legends. In later years, Albert Faille was a prospector in the area and met writer Raymond M. Patterson . The latter's works brought minor fame to Faille. In 1946 Calgary geologist and mining expert Frank M. W. Henderson returned from

7905-441: The valley reporting his partner John Patterson had disappeared. Henderson and Patterson had agreed to meet at a point near Virginia Falls. The first to arrive would leave a message on a large tree which both knew from previous trips. Henderson arrived first and left his message before traveling into the valley. He returned several weeks later only to find there was still no message left by Patterson. Henderson and his party camped there

7998-419: The valley, was quoted as saying, on his return from the area last fall, 'There is absolutely no denying the sinister atmosphere of that whole valley. The weird, continual wailing of the wind is something I won't soon forget.'" In 1964, explorer parachutist Jean Poirel from Montreal jumped at its source 500 km (310 mi) north of Yellowknife , followed by his teammate Bertrand Bordet. Jean Poirel imagined

8091-567: Was an example of and the beginning of co-management, which ensured that Indigenous voices would be heard and given equal representatives on parks boards. Non-Indigenous groups were also dispossessed from their land during the creation of national parks, such as the Acadians of Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick . This park was created in 1969 and included recognition of the Aboriginal groups who had once resided there but no recognition of

8184-716: Was clear from policy making that tourism became secondary to resource exploitation. The resources that were exploited from the national parks were essential to the CPR's income as it freighted these resources across the country. In 1887, the Rocky Mountains Park Act was established under the Macdonald government and it reflected the importance of resource exploitation for Canada's economy. Under this regulation, national parks were not fully preserved in their natural states as mining, logging and grazing continued to be permitted. When

8277-429: Was demonstrated by the creation of Bankhead, a coal town on the road to Lake Minnewanka. This coal town was not viewed as a detriment to the overall scenery of Banff National Park, but was instead an added attraction for visitors. In this case, resource exploitation and tourism worked in conjunction with each other to create a more profitable national park. Although tourism and resource development could work together, it

8370-456: Was the biggest campground in the national park system. Banff became a year-round recreational centre as the growth of winter sport activities provided added incentive for tourism. The implementation of T-bars and chairlifts on Banff's ski hills helped develop Banff into a ski and winter sports destination. Since the inception of Canada's national parks, business and profit has been a major element to their creation and development. Although tourism

8463-488: Was the first in Canada to be created through a comprehensive land claim settlement, and set a precedent for collaboration and co-management in future parks. In June 1984, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement was signed, which deviated from past parks by committing to a more extensive inclusion of Aboriginal interests and gave the Inuvialuit exclusive rights to hunting and harvesting game within the park. This agreement

8556-513: Was the first source of profit in the national parks, the exploitation of natural resources such as coal, lumber, and other minerals became another major area of revenue. These resources were found in abundance in the Rocky Mountains and were interpreted as being inexhaustible. Coal was the most plentiful and profitable of all the minerals and therefore its mining in parks was accepted by politicians and Canadian Pacific Railway officials. This

8649-627: Was the subject of a short film in 2011's National Parks Project , directed by Kevin McMahon and scored by Shad , Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas . The area was featured in Sick Heart River , a fictional river in the Nahanni area, by John Buchan , 1st Baron Tweedsmuir who was the Governor General of Canada . Buchan had not visited the Nahanni but had travelled down the Mackenzie and wanted to visit

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