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Heiko Wittenborn WELCOME TO THE TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA “At the northern extremity of the Labrador coast, a range of high barren mountains with sharp precipices extending inland from the sea was known to traditional Inuit as the abode of the master spirit in their mythology. Their name for the region, Torngait meaning a place of spirits, derived from the presence of Torngarsoak who was believed to control the life of sea animals and took the form of a huge polar bear.” (Hawkes 1916:124-5) 1.0 WELCOME ................................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ............................................................ 5 CANADA’S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK ............................................................................................................................ 5 THE CONTEXT FOR PARK ESTABLISHMENT .................................................................................................................... 5 MORE ABOUT THE LABRADOR INUIT LAND CLAIMS AGREEMENT .................................................................................. 7 BEGINNING THE MOVE FROM A RESERVE TO A PARK ..................................................................................................... 7 CO-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: A DEFINING FEATURE .................................................................................................. 8 FOR THE RECORD ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.0 NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY ............................................................................................................ 10 A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ............................................................................................................................................ 11 THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Geology of the Torngat Mountains ........................................................................................................................ 12 A Glaciated Landscape........................................................................................................................................... 13 Climate .................................................................................................................................................................... 14 VEGETATION ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 WILDLIFE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.0 PLANNING YOUR TRIP ........................................................................................................................................ 19 GET IN TOUCH WITH US BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME ....................................................................................................... 19 HOW TO CONTACT US .................................................................................................................................................. 19 INFORM YOURSELF ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP IS KEY .............................................................................................................................. 20 WEATHER ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 NAUTICAL CHARTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 GETTING HERE .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 COMMUNITY SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................. 25 INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO THE PROVINCE ............................................................................................................ 25 5.0 VISITING THE TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ....................................................................... 26 EXPERIENCES FOR VISITORS ......................................................................................................................................... 26 EVERYONE NEEDS TO REGISTER .................................................................................................................................. 26 FEES AND PERMITS ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 BOATING SAFETY .......................................................................................................................................................... 28 CAMPING ...................................................................................................................................................................... 28 COOKING ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 DRINKING WATER ......................................................................................................................................................... 29 FISHING ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 HYGIENE....................................................................................................................................................................... 29 MANAGING HUMAN WASTE .......................................................................................................................................... 29 REGULATIONS AND REMINDERS OF CONSERVATION PRACTICES ................................................................................... 30 CHECK OUT ................................................................................................................................................................... 32 6.0 SAFETY AND HAZARDS ...................................................................................................................................... 32 A SAFETY BRIEFING IS OBLIGATORY............................................................................................................................ 32 TERRAIN ....................................................................................................................................................................... 32 WEATHER AND HYPOTHERMIA ..................................................................................................................................... 33 WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS ............................................................................................................................................... 33 PROTECTION AGAINST WILDLIFE .................................................................................................................................. 34 7.0 IN AN EMERGENCY .............................................................................................................................................. 35 HELP IS A LONG WAY AWAY ....................................................................................................................................... 35 EMERGENCY NUMBERS ................................................................................................................................................ 35 8.0 PARK MAPS............................................................................................................................................................. 36 January 15, 2010version 2 1.0 WELCOME On behalf of our staff, I extend a warm welcome to visitors to Canada’s 42nd, and newest national park. The spectacular wilderness setting of the Torngat Mountains National Park protects some 9,700 km2 of the Northern Labrador Mountains natural region. The park extends from Saglek Fjord in the south, including all islands and islets, to the very northern tip of Labrador; and from the provincial boundary with Quebec in the west, to the waters of the Labrador Sea in the east. The story of the establishment of this park is a story of working with Inuit as equal partners. Parks Canada recognizes and honours their special historical and cultural relationship with the land. Inuit knowledge will be incorporated in all aspects of park management. In fact, co-operative management is a defining feature of our park, and one that we view as a shared accomplishment. Heiko Wittenborn Saglek Fjord The Torngat Mountains National Park is a special place. I hope your visit will help you discover its rich cultural history and magnificent natural heritage.