Yaat G̱alsaa - Wheaton Rest Area

To: C/TFN Citizens

August 25th, 2025

Re: Yaat G̱alsaa - Wheaton Rest Area

Dear C/TFN Citizens,

The Carcross/Tagish First Nation Lands and Natural Resources Department as well as the Land Management Board are respectfully asking C/TFN Citizens to voluntarily not hunt Moose in the Wheaton Valley (See map). C/TFN and KDFN have been working together to establish the Wheaton Valley as a Rest Area, following traditional land stewardship practices. This Rest Area is planned for five years (2025-2030).

We have also worked with YG to ensure that no Moose hunting permits are available in this area.

The Wheaton Valley is experiencing significant human pressure from recreation, development, and hunting. In response, the Wheaton Rest Area has been implemented to allow moose populations and the ecosystem to recover, ensuring they remain healthy for future generations.

Yaat G̱alsaa means let this area rest in Lingit. Traditionally, as Elder Charlie James shares in the quote bellow, when Fist Nations saw that there was too much pressure in an area, they would leave it to recover.

“So they divided the trapline in four pieces or four quadrants you might say, and they always maintained that one area was going to be left for seed. You cannot hunt there. They did their best, they were committed not to use that one area. They would move it around but they would always have that one area that was just strictly for seed.”

    – Charlie James

In addition to supporting this voluntary hunting closure, we ask everyone to join us in reducing disturbance in the valley. This can be done by choosing to recreate elsewhere, staying on established trails, keeping dogs on a leash, and avoiding alpine areas during the post-rut period (November-December). Off-road vehicle use in alpine areas should also be avoided.

We thank you for your support of this stewardship initiative. By giving this area time to recover, we honour the teachings of our Elders and ensure that future generations will continue to live in balance with the moose and the land.

Download this letter and map here:
Wheaton-Rest-Area_Letter-to-Citizens.pdf
Wheaton-Rest-Area-Map.pdf

Gunałchéesh,

Frank James
Director Lands and Natural Resources
Carcross/Tagish First Nation

Andy Wally
Land Management Board Co-Chair
Carcross/Tagish First Nation