In 1996, the Government of Canada and the Government of the NWT (GNWT) had agreed to establish a Protected Areas Strategy (PAS). Work began on its development in 1998, under the direction of the Implementation Advisory Committee, which includes the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND); the territorial Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED); regional Aboriginal organizations; environmental non-government organizations; and industry.

The strategy has two goals: to protect special natural and cultural areas, and to protect core representative areas within each eco-region. The strategy describes an eight-step process communities can use to establish protected areas. There are currently nine sites being advanced through the NWT PAS planning framework.

DIAND and RWED are jointly responsible for implementation. The two departments support the initiative by funding the NWT Protected Areas Secretariat, which coordinates work on the strategy. DIAND also carries out non-renewable resource assessment of candidate areas and supports the community-based work needed to protect these important areas. Other government departments and agencies, such as Environment Canada and Parks Canada, are involved in the PAS as sponsors of individual candidate protected areas.

The NWT-PAS emphasizes the active role of communities, regional Aboriginal organizations, and land claim bodies in identifying and recommending specific sites for protection. Implementation of the strategy varies from region to region, depending on each area's unique political, cultural, and land claims context. The strategy is consistent with all existing land claim agreements and treaties in the NWT.

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