A set of rocks meant to block partygoers from beach access may have also infringed GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n harvesting rights.

Jozef Carnogursky, president of the Nihtat GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Council, approached town council last week about the rock barrier at the bottom of Carn Road. A set of large rocks had blocked access to the beach in one direction.

Carnogursky referenced the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, saying it includes the right to access lands for harvesting, which can include harvesting driftwood.

Though those rights can be restricted in certain cases SA国际影视传媒� such as for public safety, health or conservation purposes SA国际影视传媒� there is a requirement of consultation with the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n beforehand, said Carnogursky.

SA国际影视传媒淲e believe that the town has overstepped its authority in terms of the barricades down on Carn Road,SA国际影视传媒� he said at council Wednesday, Oct. 11.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 also our understanding that the town does not own the riverfront lands, and we feel that it should not be restricting access to the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n or any other person to those waterfront lands.SA国际影视传媒�

He asked town to remove the barriers immediately.

SA国际影视传媒淲e further ask that (in) any future decisions that may involve restriction of rights of GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n, we as GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n be consulted and involved in the decisions,SA国际影视传媒� said Carnogursky.

Mayor Jim McDonald said the rocks were intended to restrict vehicle access, not person access to that section of the beach.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had some complaints of people partying on the beach,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e certainly didnSA国际影视传媒檛 intend to restrict any harvesting or any of that type of activity but there was a problem earlier in the spring with partying along the beach. It was only intended to restrict vehicle access.SA国际影视传媒�

Rick Campbell, director of public services, said over the years the town has had to recover three abandoned vehicles in that area and clean up the remains of partygoers.

Campbell said SA国际影视传媒渢hereSA国际影视传媒檚 more than enough roomSA国际影视传媒� for quads to go between the rocks for people to harvest, but Carnogursky took issue with that.

SA国际影视传媒淧art of those rights I referred to refer to modern methods of harvesting,SA国际影视传媒� said Carnogursky. SA国际影视传媒淚 really think itSA国际影视传媒檚 unfair for people to define what those are without talking to us as GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n, who hold those rights.SA国际影视传媒�

Coun. Vince Sharpe said a skidoo or quad would not fit between the rocks, and either way, theySA国际影视传媒檙e not on town property. He didnSA国际影视传媒檛 think the town had any jurisdiction blocking beach access.

SA国际影视传媒淚ts public land,SA国际影视传媒� said Sharpe. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not town-owned land. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 see where the town gets off putting that barrier down there to stop people from going onto federal government land. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a beach. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not our land.SA国际影视传媒�

Jerry Inglanasuk, chair of the Inuvik Community Corporation, says he supports Carnogursky.

He referred to the United NationsSA国际影视传媒� Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People, saying indigenous must be consulted on these issues.

SA国际影视传媒淭he town putting those rocks in there has affected people getting driftwood,SA国际影视传媒� said Inglanasuk. SA国际影视传媒淚 think if the town consulted with the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n, they would have never had a problem.SA国际影视传媒�

On the subject of derelict vehicles in the area, he added that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 an abandoned ship in that same spot thatSA国际影视传媒檚 in worse shape than any vehicles that were left there.

After a meeting between the town and the NGC following the council appearing, the town agreed to move the rocks.