Joe Linklater, the chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, says he woke up a little less stressed this morning.

In a ceremony hosted at the legislative assembly, Linklater, along with Premier Dennis Fentie, signed off on a management plan for the Old Crow Flats special management area.

'It just takes a whole lot of pressure off me, because there is now certainty in these areas, and for a decision-maker, that's a great relief,' said Linklater.

The special management area will see the protection of the diverse lake network just north of Old Crow.

The flats area is one of the most complex wetlands in Canada and home to waterfowl, the Porcupine caribou herd, muskrat and moose. Its ecological significance has been acknowledged by the United Nations in the Ramsar Convention.

The area comprises the Vuntut National Park and land identified for the special management area by the Vuntut Gwitchin in its final agreement. These areas will be protected permanently.

The pockets of land to the east and west of Old Crow Flats held by the Yukon government will be protected for 20 years, then reviewed.

'For us, this has been an area that we've striven to protect for over 30 years; since before land claims began we identified this area as an important area to protect,' said Linklater. 'We've achieved that objective.'

The signing of the approved plan marks the conclusion of the final major, outstanding issue on the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation final agreement.

'This co-operative work also illustrates our commitment to moving forward together with first nations on the full implementation of Yukon first nation final agreements,' said Fentie. '(It's) a proud moment in Yukon's history and indeed in governing this territory.'

The goal of the special management area is to protect the ecological integrity and traditional use of the area.

'This is an area that is part of our ancestral homeland,' said Linklater. 'It gives our people a sense in comfort to know that in the future that area will be there if we need it for food or clothing.

'From our cultural perspective, as aboriginal people, that is our insurance, that is our bank. We can always go there if need-be.'

The special management area will still be open for traditional activities, tourism and research in biology, ecology, paleontology and archaeology, he said.

The first nation is also looking into starting a land-based experiential learning program in the area, said Linklater.

It will not be open to industrial uses, however.

'There might be oil and gas in that area, but I think what's on the surface is much more valuable and longer-lasting,' he said.

The final agreements signed in the territory require the Yukon government to work with the first nations to jointly prepare and approve management plans for selected special management areas.

Last week, Fentie signed the Lutsaw Wetland Habitat Protection Area Management Plan along with Selkirk First Nation Chief Darin Isaac.

The complex shallow lake wetland is southwest of Pelly Crossing.

'This is in line with our government's ongoing efforts to develop meaningful and effective partnerships with first nations and to implement land claims agreements and to protect wetland habitat for the benefit of our wildlife,' said Fentie.

It's high time that some of the special management area planning processes begin to conclude, he added.

'These types of things demonstrate the very intent of the final agreements,' said Fentie. 'The sooner we live up to and implement the spirit and intent of those agreements, the more expeditiously this territory will grow into its future as it was intended all along.'