Background

For millennia, Chasàn Chùa has sustained a rich diversity of animal and plant life, and in turn – the humans who rely on them for survival. Archaeological evidence shows the area has been used by First Nations peoples for at least 8000 years. The name Chasàn Chùa means “Copper Creek” in Southern Tutchone. Traditionally, the creek functioned as a key travel corridor for First Nations peoples with many important places located along its length. These include fish camps, gathering areas, hunting spots and burial sites.

Around the time of the Klondike Gold Rush, a prospector named Jack McIntyre staked the first copper claims in the Chasàn Chùa area, sparking decades of mining activity along what became known as the Whitehorse Copper Belt. McIntyre named the creek after himself, and for the past century or so, McIntyre Creek has become the commonly used name.

Today, the Chasàn Chùa area is valued and used in many ways. It remains an important wildlife corridor and its varied landscapes provide diverse and vital habitat for many species. The area is within the Traditional Territories of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation and it holds significant cultural and traditional importance to their Citizens and Beneficiaries. Both Whitehorse residents and visitors enjoy a diversity of recreational pursuits in the area, including hiking, mountain biking, birding, angling, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing.

Heritage, History and Uses

Lead -up to Protection: 1980s to now

The protection of Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek) has come up numerous times over the past 30-40 years as the area was contemplated for development. The proposed Porter Creek “D” residential development was first introduced in the City of Whitehorse’s 2002 Official Community Plan (OCP) and some feasibility investigations followed. However, the concept was strongly opposed by numerous groups. The 2010 OCP introduced a regional park for the area alongside a residential development; however, the Porter Creek “D” development concept was subsequently removed in the 2022 OCP. 

In 2019, the Friends of McIntyre Creek asked the City of Whitehorse to consider working with the Government of Yukon and First Nations to designate the area as a territorial park.

In April 2023, to support future protected area planning, the Government of Yukon broadened the boundaries of a staking ban in the area under the Quartz Mining Act. As a result, no new quartz mineral claims in the McIntyre Creek area are permitted. In addition, a new administrative land reserve was established to protect the area from new land dispositions while providing flexibility for responsible land-use decision making.

Current Planning for a Protected Area

In April 2024, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, City of Whitehorse, Government of Yukon, and Parks Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to work together to protect the Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek) area. The Memorandum of Understanding states that a Steering Committee with representatives of all five governments will make a recommendation to the governments on:

  • The “instruments” to be used for protection (i.e., the way that formal protection will be put in place for the area);

  • The governance structure to manage the protected area; and

  • The final boundary of the proposed protected area.

The proposed protected area boundary originated with the City of Whitehorse’s 2010 Official Community Plan (OCP). For simplicity, the Steering Committee is using this approximate boundary as its starting point. However, it may consider changes to the boundary if it determines such changes would better protect values within the Chasàn Chuà area or otherwise support a more successful protected area over the long-term.

Have a Closer Look at Chasàn Chùa

Satellite Image Map

View or download a PDF map showing a satellite image of the area and key features.

Printable Map

View, download, or print a PDF map highlighting the area and key features.