Skownan First Nation, Manitoba Government Congratulated on New Protected Lands
October 15, 2014
The Wilderness Committee is congratulating Skownan First Nation and the Manitoba government for protecting the Chitek Lake region as the new 1,003-square kilometre Chitek Lake Provincial Park.
“It has been a long time since Skownan First Nation nominated these lands and waters for protection, and it is wonderful to see their success,” said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.
The new park on the shore of Lake Winnipegosis is home to woodland caribou, moose and a very rare herd of wood bison. It is a relatively intact transition zone between northern boreal forest and southern aspen parkland, which supports a diverse ecology. The Skownan First Nation uses the region extensively for fishing, hunting, trapping and cultural activities. The Chitek Lake Park Reserve has had temporary protection since 1999.
As part of the Wilderness Committee’s forward-looking Conservation Hotspots campaign, the organization has been going door-to-door for years talking of the unique nature of the Chitek Lake region, and generating public support for Skownan First Nation’s wilderness protection initiative. The Wilderness Committee delivered thousands of letters to the Manitoba government, which supported the protection of the Chitek Lake region.
“It’s great to see the fruition of this shared goal – of the First Nation community wishing to protect their land, and Wilderness Committee members and supporters voicing their desire for more wilderness protection.”
Along with the new park, the Manitoba government announced a new land classification called “indigenous traditional use”.
“What is really encouraging about this development is seeing the Manitoba government putting more resources towards protecting First Nations lands and waters,” said Reder. “We’re very interested in seeing the details about the announced indigenous lands classification, and how it will actually be written up in legislation.”
Eric Reder | Manitoba Campaign Director
Photo: Chitek Lake (Scott Woods-Fehr via Flickr)
