our story

A joint initiative of Indigenous communities of Fort Chipewyan

Our History

The Indigenous communities of Fort Chipewyan are deeply invested in the protection of the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site. Over a decade ago community-based monitoring began in response to a need to track the impacts of industrial activities on the region, and to help ensure that the people of the Peace-Athabasca Delta had the information necessary to protect their culture and territories.

Our Accomplishments

Nipîy Tu Research & Knowledge Centre has achieved many
accomplishments since its founding in 2020.
our research
2019

Initial grant funding secured through Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to support development

2020

Incorporation as a federal not-for-profit and Field Station discussion initiated

2021

Governance model developed and approved by leadership of the communities, interim Board of Directors appointed, and operational plan developed

2021

Preferred locations for the Research Centre and the Field Station identified through community consultation

2022

Conceptual designs for the Research Centre and the Field Station completed

2022

Formal participation in development of an Integrated Research and Monitoring Plan (IRMP)

2022

Nipiy Tu takes on the development of a Knowledge Hub and supports other Action Plan initiatives

2022

Site exploration and assessment for the Research Centre site in Fort Chipewyan begins

2022

Nipiy Tu goes public following a renaming process and website development

Our Land

The PAD is the world’s largest inland boreal delta. It supports great concentrations of migratory birds, species at risk like wood bison and countless other species. The PAD is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, a RAMSAR wetland and part of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.

Unfortunately, the biodiversity of the PAD is greatly threatened by upstream hydroelectric projects, Alberta's oil sands and climate change.
Peace-Athabasca Delta, AB
Peace-Athabasca Delta, AB
Athabasca River, AB

Our Timeline

Explore our journey, year by year.
2014

In 2014, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee was petitioned over the deteriorating ecological conditions of the Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) world heritage site. The petition focused on the drying of the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a key biodiversity area.

A year later, the World Heritage Committee expressed concern about severe threats to the state of conservation of the Peace-Athabasca Delta and the lack of partnerships with Indigenous peoples in environmental monitoring and management of the property.

2017

The 2017 report of a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring Mission outlined key actions that need to be undertaken to better protect the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site and to create meaningful partnerships with Indigenous peoples in its protection.

2019

Canada tabled the Wood Buffalo Action Plan to restore the ecology of the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park as a whole, and to improve Parks Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people. A year later, Indigenous communities of Fort Chipewyan came together to develop Nipîy Tu Research and Knowledge Centre to lead a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to monitoring and research regarding the health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. A key part of the vision is to play a leadership role in supporting upstream decision making.

2022

Nipîy Tu Research and Knowledge Centre formalizes as a federally incorporated non-profit organization and goes public.

An Indigenous-led organization dedicated to protecting the Peace-Athabasca Delta and its people.

stay connected

news & UPDATES

Read the latest updates from Nipîy Tu Research & Knowledge Centre

all updates
Mobile Laboratory to arrive in Fort Chipewyan in February 2024
February 26, 2024

NTRKC is introducing a mobile laboratory in Fort Chipewyan in late February 2024

A Message from Nipîy Tu's first Executive Director
February 19, 2024

Tammy Riel, NTRKC's first Executive Director, begins her work with NTRKC with a message

Nipîy Tu welcomes its first Executive Director
January 31, 2024

NTRKC is excited to announce a significant milestone in its journey: the appointment of our first Executive Director, Tammy Riel

Nipîy Tu Research
& Knowledge Centre

Nipîy Tu Research and Knowledge Centre is an Indigenous-led knowledge centre that works to ensure the restoration, protection, and promotion of the ecological health and cultural integrity of the Delta and its people.

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