A recent survey has found that making a northern Manitoba watershed a protected area is possible.
Last year, the province, the federal government and four First Nations in Manitoba agreed to research the possibility of establishing a protected area in the Seal River Watershed, a 50,000 square-kilometre space in northern Manitoba. Thirteen months later, the report found that it is feasible.
“We know that there are a lot of needs around the world in terms of critical minerals,” said Stephanie Thorassie, executive director of the Seal River Watershed Alliance. “We know that power is something that is needed around the world as well. And we know that the Seal River is one of the last truly undammed rivers in Manitoba. We want to keep it that way.”
The watershed is the location of Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Denesuline First Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation. It is also home to multiple animal species, including caribou, beluga whales, wolverines and polar bears, some of which are at-risk.
More than 30,000 responses were collected during the assessment.
Thorassie said the result of the project could result in a provincial park, national park or Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area being created. It can also help create jobs for people living on the land and could boost tourism.
“We want to encourage people to visit it and experience nature as it should be,” Thorassie said.
Next steps include further consultation with provincial and federal stakeholders, along with residents of the areas in the watershed, before final decisions are made.
