The Firth River was the site of a mini gold rush in the late 1940s. About 200 claims were staked but only one placer mine was developed at Sheep Creek. It operated from 1979 until 1986 when it was bought out by Parks Canada. Claim posts, caches, campsites, exploration pits and abandoned equipment are some of the signs of that era that can still be found throughout the Firth River valley. The most recent industrial effort on the north slope was the extensive oil and gas exploration during the 1970s and 1980s.
Seismic lines crisscrossing the coastal plain are still evident.
There are oil reserves under the Beaufort Sea and also in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. There will continue to be pressure to develop these in the future which would have a very detrimental effect on the environmental integrity of this outstanding area. This Inuvialuit wisdom will be respected by Parks Canada as we work together to protect this unique heritage for future generations. Information last updated July 16, 1999.