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Back River

Within the context of the development of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (www.chrs.ca), the Department of Environment, Parks and Special Places Division is studying the feasibility of developing the Back River as a Canadian Heritage River near the communities of Baker Lake and Gjoa Haven as the focus for preserving and celebrating the area's natural and cultural heritage, and enhancing opportunities for recreation, tourism and economic development.

Baker Lake is the only inland Nunavut community, and is in the Kivalliq Region.  Gjoa Haven is also known as “Uqsuqtuq”, meaning “it’s oily”, and is in the Kitikmeot Region.  The Back River is one of Nunavut’s largest rivers.  It flows east from just inside the Nortwest Territories, then turns north, about 300km north of Baker Lake, where it heads for the sea.  Some Inuit refer to the Back River as “Ukkuhikhalik”, meaning “place to find stone for making pots and oil lamps”.

Canadian Heritage Rivers are quite different from Territorial Parks.  The main difference is that there are no specific laws or regulations that come into effect when a river is designated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.  No land changes hands either.  What changes is how communities, landowners and outsiders see the river.  It takes a special river, rich in natural and cultural heritage as well as recreational opportunities to become a Canadian Heritage River.  Besides being recognized for their unique Heritage Values, Canadian Heritage Rivers also have the benefit of going through Management Planning exercises centred on building consensus among communities, landowners and regulators about how best to manage the River to maintain and celebrate its Heritage Values.

Nunavut Parks and Special Places will know more about the Back River’s Heritage Values once the current Background Study is complete.  At that time, Inuit and Government will come to a decision about whether or not to pursue the Nomination of the River under the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.