60 Minutes heading to Peel Watershed ahead of legal battle

A crew from America’s number one news program is expected to fly into the Peel Watershed later this week, less than three weeks before a court battle begins over the Yukon Government’s controversial land use plan.

CBS’s 60 Minutes boasts an average of 12.4 million viewers per week.

“They're interested in doing a program about mining in the Yukon with a big focus on the Peel Watershed,” says Karen Baltgailis, with the Yukon Conservation Society.

“60 Minutes is the most widely watched news program in the USA, so to me this really indicates that the Peel Watershed is of great interest not only locally in the Yukon, not only in Canada but also internationally.”  

Some people in Mayo, Yukon are already excited.

Linda Champion’s husband, Jimmy Johnny, will fly into the remote area with the crew.

“They’ll probably do some talking, then Jim will show them old mines and the Snake River,” Champion says.  

Gill Cracknell is the executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Yukon Chapter, one of the groups that will be in court next month.

“I'm just really excited that they are doing a story,” she says. “It just shows what a tremendous impact this issue is having internationally.”

The court case over the Yukon Government's land use plan for the Peel region is set for July 7th.

Officials at the court house predict the 100 seat court room will be filled.

CBC News is told the proceeding will be broadcast live into a second court room to accommodate public interest.

The Nacho Nyak Dun, the Tr'ondek Hwech'in, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Yukon and the Yukon Conservation Society filed a lawsuit shortly after the Yukon Government released its plan in January, arguing that it violated land claims agreements.

The Yukon Government disputes that claim.

The court case is set to begin July 7.