The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) hosted an information session on a proposed large area conservation initiative for the Central Interlake Region this past Friday, known as the Fisher River Conservation Areas Initiative. This proposed protected area is managed by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and is a joint venture between CPAWS and the Fisher River Cree Nation, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, and Peguis First Nation.
Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) staff attended to gather information, ask questions and educate ourselves about the proposal. The approximately 150 people who attended were from all walks of life including hunters, cottage owners, commercial fisherman, farmers/ranchers, union representatives, municipal officials, industry and local landowners.
Listening to the lively discussion, we quickly learned that the vast majority were adamantly opposed to the proposal as presented.
Just a few of the questions raised included:
- Why is a Federally funded environmental activist organization leading an initiative that directly affects Manitoba residents, Manitoba crown lands and Manitoba natural resources?
- Why is the province not taking the lead or present when it is clearly their legal responsibility to manage our natural resources and lead any potential changes to crown land designations?
- What exactly are we protecting the region from?
- Why change the legal land designations of Wildlife Management Areas when they are already protected?
- Why potentially create another provincial park right next to Hecla Island and Grindstone Provincial Parks when our existing parks are chronically underfunded and in desperate need of investment and proper management?
- What science-based work was undertaken by CPAWS in identifying priority areas for this protection plan?
The information presented was not very detailed and left people with way more questions than answers. The nature of the responses from CPAWS lacked sufficient detail for the attendees to come away with a positive message, which will undoubtedly be shared across all communities in the Interlake and perhaps across Manitoba.
From our perspective at MWF, one positive outcome of the information meeting was that MWF staff were able to meet with leaders from the Fisher River First Nation and learn more about their initial goals with this proposal.
The MWF has always had a deep admiration for Chief David Crate and his leadership team, because they have been leaders on the sustainability of the Lake Winnipeg fishery including their advocacy work on Eco-certification. The MWF truly believes that Fisher River’s intent here was done with the best of intentions.
Unfortunately, their chosen partner, which is leading the public engagement, is a protectionist environmental organization with a strong commitment to the United Nations 30/30 initiative. The current engagement led by CPAWS is creating a level of mistrust that will be nearly impossible to overcome.
Thankfully, the MWF and Fisher River Cree Nation have agreed to meet as soon as possible and look at ways of collaborating on made-in-Manitoba solutions to many of the shared concerns we have around conservation of our province’s lands and resources and, the lifestyles we both cherish.
If you would like more details on the CPAWS-managed protection proposal, they are hosting another information session in Arborg, February 6, 2025, from 5-9pm at the Arborg Bifrost Community Centre. MWF staff will be in attendance and we hope to see you there.
