As a result of a 1998 signed agreement between the Government of Canada, Government of the Northwest Territories, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Inuvialuit Game Council, the Tuktut Nogait, was finally designated as a national park. The designation helps to protect about 16,340 square kilometres of the Tundra Hills National Region.
The Tundra Hills are characterized by plains and rolling heights where the bedrock’s deep gorges and canyons are caused by the abundance of streams and rivers.
Tuktut Nogait National Park remains the only nesting ground for the Eskimo curlew, which is designated as one of Canada’s rarest birds. Over-hunting has led to the Eskimo curlew’s depleted population.
The park’s arctic tundra is also home to caribou, Grizzly bears, musk oxen, red foxes, wolves as well as the arctic ground squirrel. Many migratory birds, including the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, Arctic char, lake and grayling trout also call this expansive land home.
In 2005, the Canadian government decided to add an additional 1,850 square kilometres to the southern areas of Tuktut Nogait National Park.
The park’s expansion encompassed the Sahtu Settlement Area, which will provide additional protection to the Bluenose caribou herd. The expansion will also protect the Hernaday River Plateau tablelands and spruce forest regions.
The Sahtu Settlement Area houses three Canadian historically designated sites – the Deline Fishery, Franklin’s Fort and Sahayue-Sehdacho.
The climate in Tuktut Nogait National Park consists of long and cold winters, alternated with short and cool summers. Neither season brings about much precipitation. On average, the park’s annual precipitation level ranges from 200mm to 300mm.
The climate in the northern section of Tuktut Nogait National Park is greatly affected by the Amundsen Gulf, which creates a maritime influence, which is characterized by increased precipitation and fog during the summer.
A more sub-arctic climate – less fog and precipitation, as well as temperature greater fluctuations – characterizes the park’s central and southern regions.
A constant wind blows through the park. Tuktut Nogait NP is bathed in constant sunlight for almost two months during the summer, however, for two months during the winter, the sun doesn’t rise at all.
The park had its first foreign visitor in the mid-18th century – a European by the name of Father Emile Petitot, who arrived sometime between 1867 and 1868.
The Inuvialuit people live in Paulatuk, the park’s nearest community, initiated talks with the Canadian government to create Tuktut Nogait National Park.
Today, the Inuvialuit beneficiaries are the only people allowed to sustenance hunt and harvest within the park’s boundaries. No commercial or sport hunting is allowed within the park’s boundaries.