March 19, 2025 Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynichikatek – Our Land We Want to Protect by Youth Advisory Council (2024-2025 Cohort) In Northeastern Manitoba, the Nayhenaway Ininewuk are uniting to protect Kitaskeenan (our land). The vision has been guided by community members from the five Nations who have been part of conversations for this initiative so far, including members from York Factory First Nation, Shamattawa First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, and War Lake First Nation. These Nations are working together to protect their traditional territories, including how the lands are monitored and preserved for both past and future generations. The inclusion and representation of the past and future is a guiding principle to the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynichikatek initiative, as it has been empowered by traditional laws and the wisdom of elders, youth, and knowledge keepers. Several decades of industrial development across the lands and waters of what is now known as Manitoba has caused flooding, erosion, a loss of hunting and fishing lands, declining water quality, new animal migration patterns, and biodiversity loss. After years of collaboration and community connection, the proposal for an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) officially launched in September 2024. The IPCA will protect over 46,600km2 of land and waters under Indigenous laws and governance, while hosting a large variety of species and critical habitats – including at least 165 different species of birds, polar bears, the endangered eastern migratory caribou, moose, sturgeon, and a great deal more. As the second largest peatland complex in the world, it sequesters approximately 8% of Canada’s total carbon emissions. The IPCA also works to preserve Nayhenaway Ininewuk histories, languages and cultures, in addition to aiding the healing process from colonization by connecting people back to their ancestral lands. Want to be an ally to this movement? Spread the word by sharing this post, sign the pledge on their website, and subscribe to their newsletter. To learn more about how you can help, go to JaneGoodall.ca/IPCAs. Articles for additional learning: Kitatoskaywinan The Project: Land Conservation 2024 Metcalf Foundation Featured Article November 7th, 2024 Narwhal Article November 1st, 2024 Narwhal Article Explore Related Content Youth Advisory Council nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ iʔ‿k̓ łluxʷnwixʷmntət: Protecting Ashnola, Protecting the Future March 19, 2025 Read more Youth Advisory Council What tools support Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas? March 19, 2025 Read more Youth Advisory Council How you can support Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and their efforts March 19, 2025 Read more
