Overview

Since construction began on the Tłı̨chǫ Highway (Highway 9), no wood-cutting has been allowed in the area surrounding this new road based on an agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Tłı̨chǫ Government.

The Tłı̨chǫ Government and the GNWT are currently developing a long-term plan for managing the forest resources in the area in conjunction with the Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board.

An interim approach for harvesting along the highway is necessary because it is:

• A newly road-accessible area
• Home to sensitive habitats – including important areas used by boreal caribou
• Home to cabins and trails used for traditional and cultural activities

An interim agreement has been put into place to wisely manage the use of forest resources in the area.

• View online: Information in Tłı̨chǫ Yatii

What are the rules?

Rules vary depending where you are along the road. However, no matter where you are:

• No commercial wood-cutting other than trade permitted under the Tłı̨chǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement
• A Specific permit for cutting wood on Highway 9 is required for all wood-cutting.

Below is a breakdown of the rules by kilometre (km).  Kilometre markers begin once you turn onto the Tłı̨chǫ Highway (Hwy. 9) from Hwy. 3.

Resident woodcutting

• km 0-5
  • Open for all residents with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits.
• km 5-8
  • No wood-cutting permits available.
• km 8-12
  • • Open for all residents with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits (specific to km 8-12).
    • Limit of 40 free timber cutting permits available for non-Indigenous harvesters.
    • Permits valid for two months, with an option to renew for another two months.
    •  A maximum of five cords of wood can be cut per permit.
  • No cutting within 250m of marked trails.

Indigenous wood-cutting (km 0-75)

• Km 0-75: Open for Indigenous harvesters with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits.
• Avoid cabins by 500m and avoid active traplines and traditional trails.

Tłı̨chǫ Lands (beyond km 75)

• Beyond km 75 is Tłı̨chǫ private lands, where wood-cutting is open only to Tłı̨chǫ Citizens, unless specific permission is granted by Tłı̨chǫ Government.

Get your permit

You must get a free timber cutting permit before you cut wood – just like anywhere in the Northwest Territories.

The only exception is for Indigenous people cutting wood for hunting, fishing, or trapping.

To get your permit, visit the North Slave regional office, or call:

• 1-867-767-9238 ext. 53247

Marking the restrictions

Look out for signs and markers along the road that indicate where wood-cutting restrictions begin and end.

You may also see logging flags — coloured plastic ribbons tied around trees -- marking no-cutting areas. It is important to be aware of where you are allowed to harvest, as weather may cause these not to be visible to all land-users.

What’s next

The Tłı̨chǫ Government and GNWT will be working with the Wek’èezhı̀ı Renewable Resources Board on a long-term plan to manage forests and forest resources in the area.

When this is finalized, it will be announced and advertised.

For more information

Call the GNWT North Slave regional office.

1-867-767-9238 ext. 53247