The Taiga Cordillera Ecozone , as defined by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), is a rugged, mountainous terrestrial ecozone of Canada spanning most of northern Yukon and significant portions of the border between the Yukon and the Northwest Territories .
7-681: This ecozone is very sparsely populated, with only a few hundred inhabitants who rely on subsistence living and the tourism industry. Most of the area's population consists of members of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in the community of Old Crow , located on the Porcupine River . To the south is the Boreal Cordillera , to the east are the Taiga Plains , and its northern extent is defined by Yukon's coastline, at which it abuts
14-910: A land claims agreement in 1995. The chief is presently Dana Tizya-Tramm. Vuntut Development Corporation, the business arm of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, owns 49% of Air North , a Canadian airline based in Whitehorse . Air North provides regular passenger and cargo service to Old Crow, several other Yukon destinations, Inuvik , as well as six major Canadian cities. In partnership with Kluane First Nation, Vuntut Development Corporation and North Air created and run Chieftain Energy Limited Partnership. Additional non-equity partnership arrangements exist with Dease River First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Selkirk First Nation,
21-589: A minimum of six months a year, and may persist up to eight months. The area includes three national parks within its boundaries - Ivvavik National Park , Vuntut National Park , and Nahanni National Park Reserve , one of twelve sites in the first group of World Heritage Sites granted by UNESCO . It also contains Old Crow Flats , an internationally important wetland that overlaps Vuntut National Park. Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation ( VGFN )
28-702: Is a First Nation in the northern Yukon in Canada . Its main population centre is Old Crow . The language originally spoken by the people is Gwichʼin . Vuntut Gwich'in refers specifically to the Gwich'in people who lived in Van Tat which translates as "people of the lakes." More recently, VGFN has incorporated the Vuntut Gwich'in and Dagoo Gwich'in (who traditionally lived further up the Porcupine River). The wider Gwich'in nation
35-682: Is spread across northwestern Canada and Alaska. Other Gwich'in communities include: the Tetlit Gwich'in in Fort McPherson , Northwest Territories; Tsiigehtchic Gwich'in in Tsiigehtchic , Northwest Territories; Gwichyaa Gwich'in in Fort Yukon , Alaska; Arctic Village, Alaska ; Chalkyitsik , Alaska; and Venetie , Alaska. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation was one of the first four First Nations to sign
42-644: The Selwyn Mountains and Mackenzie Mountains , is primarily steep, mountainous terrain with sharp, narrow valleys . This ecozone can be further subdivided into four ecoprovinces: With mountains blocking the passage of moisture-laden air masses into the region, typical annual precipitation averages 250 to 300 mm throughout the ecozone, resulting in a dry climate. Winters are long, dark and extremely cold, with mean January temperatures between -25 and -30 °C. Summers are short and cool, with mean July temperatures between 12 and 15 °C. Snow cover lasts
49-514: The Southern Arctic ecozone. The northernmost area is an arctic tundra which is beyond the tree line , so is characterised by small plants and shrubs . These transition to alpine tundra and lowland taiga in a southeastern arc across the zone. To the northwest are rolling hills, throughout which are found broad wetlands reaching the coast of the Beaufort Sea . The interior, comprising
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