First Nations, governments working to establish Indigenous protected area in Manitoba

MONTREAL — Four First Nations in Manitoba are working with the provincial and federal governments to establish a new Indigenous protected area.

The groups announced today at the COP15 global biodiversity talks in Montreal that they are working together to assess the feasibility of a protected area in the Seal River Watershed in northern Manitoba. 

The watershed is one of the world’s largest remaining ecologically intact watersheds and is a rich carbon sink. 

It spans over 50,000 square kilometres and the region is home to many at-risk species, including wolverines, polar bears, orcas and barren-ground caribou.