Top of Ibyuk Pingo© Parks Canada / Ian K. MacNeil
In 1978, Pingo Canadian Landmark was identified as a Natural Site of Canadian Significance and was proposed for official status under the National Landmark Program. National Landmarks were originally envisioned to protect specific natural features considered to be outstanding, exceptional, unique, or rare to this country. These natural features would typically be isolated entities and of scientific interest.
Although the program was never implemented, the proposed landmark was included in the Western Arctic (Inuvialuit) Claims Settlement Act, also known as the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA). The IFA stipulated that Pingo Canadian Landmark was to be managed under the National Parks Act in consultation with the Inuvialuit Land Administration and the people of Tuktoyaktuk as a joint management regime (Section 7(73)).
Since the early 1990's, Parks Canada and the Inuvialuit have been working to fulfill the requirement of the IFA, first through the work of the Pingo Joint Management Committee and, since 1998, through the activities of the Pingo Working Group. Both groups have worked towards the development of Pingo Canadian Landmark. The current Pingo Working Group includes members from the Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Inuvialuit Land Administration, Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, and Parks Canada. Pingo Canadian Landmark is cooperatively managed by Parks Canada and the above organizations.