Canada is considering an expansion of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road, a significant transportation artery in the Arctic. This route, which stretches 400 kilometers (250 miles) and is constructed over frozen lakes, connects Yellowknife to diamond mines in the north.
The potential expansion has prompted Indigenous guardians to accelerate their efforts to understand the implications for caribou populations. These animals are integral to the region’s ecosystem and Indigenous culture.
For many years, individuals like Wayne Mercredi have navigated the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road. Mercredi described his routine of departing early to maximize daylight hours for his journeys along the ice-bound route.
Source: Mongabay