Inuvialuit Settlement Region Cruise Ship Management Plan sets path for sustainable tourism return
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation has released The ISR Cruise Ship Management Plan to ensure the growing industry operates with respect to Inuvialuit culture and land.
Developed by IRC’s Innovation, Inuvialuit Science, and Climate Change Division in partnership with the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization and Inuvialuit organizations, the newly released plan provides a strong and united approach to managing growing cruise ship tourism in the region, when it’s time for tourism to safely return to the region.
The ISR Cruise Ship Management Plan proactively sets standards for industry operators to respect Inuvialuit lands, water, and people, in alignment with the principles of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. These standards include expected timelines for contacting communities, financial and employment considerations, proper route planning, and passenger and vessel etiquette when visiting the ISR, including a Code of Conduct and Wildlife Viewing Guidelines.
“The Management Plan creates an opportunity to build lasting relationships with industry while ensuring that cruise ships are managed in a sustainable way that honors Inuvialuit culture,” said Duane Smith, IRC Chair and CEO. “I look forward to working with industry and government partners to see this work implemented.”
The development of the plan began in 2017 and was informed by the Inuvialuit Cruise Management Advisory Committee, with membership from the Inuvialuit Lands Administration, Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization, Inuvialuit Game Council, Joint Secretariat, and the Environmental Impact Screening Committee. Feedback was also received from IRC Community Corporations, Hunters and Trappers Committees, Elders Committee, the Regional Youth Advisory Group, and the Wildlife Management Advisory Councils as well as ISR Hamlets, Government of the Northwest Territories, Coast Guard, Transport Canada, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations Northern Affairs Canada.
The IRC thanks all Inuvialuit beneficiaries and organizations who contributed to the creation and review of this management plan.
To ensure the Management Plan remains current, it will be reviewed and updated again in 2024/2025 with future revisions occurring every five years.
For more information, please contact comms@inuvialuit.com or Tess Forbes, Marine Program Coordinator at 867-777-7051 or tforbes@inuvialuit.com.
About the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Established in 1984 to manage the settlement outlined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation represents the collective interests of Inuvialuit in and beyond the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The IRC works to continually improve the economic, social and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through implementation of the IFA and by all other available means.