On Wednesday, June 18, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) held a Town Hall meeting in the community of Ashern, with approximately 50 people in attendance. The event featured open and respectful discussions on several pressing land and conservation issues, including:
- The current status of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in Manitoba.
- Ongoing concerns regarding the closure of provincial parks in British Columbia to non-Indigenous users.
- The recently announced lawsuit and land claim involving Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
- The judicial review requested by residents following the closure of Clear Lake to motorized boat traffic by Parks Canada.
The presentation sparked several thoughtful questions from attendees, many of whom expressed concerns about the expansion of IPCAs in Manitoba without adequate consultation with residents or municipal councils. A notable piece of information shared during the Ashern meeting is that the proposed Lake St. Martin outlet channel falls within the Fisher River IPCA study area. To learn more about the Lake St. Martin outlet channel project, visit:
👉 Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel Project Overview
Key Questions and Responses:
Q: Has the Fisher River First Nation begun meeting with residents to collaborate on the next phase of their IPCA proposal?
A: Not that we are currently aware.
Q: Who is enforcing the land closures in BC?
A: While the closures were announced by First Nations, they are being enforced by the provincial government. It’s important to note that the affected areas are provincial Crown lands.
Q: Is MWF working with other provincial organizations on the Access for All initiative?
A: Yes. MWF continues to work with like-minded organizations to advocate for shared land access. We provide updates on key initiatives, including the 30×30 goal (protecting 30% of land and water by 2030), with particular attention to Manitoba’s proposed IPCAs and the broader land-back movement.
Upcoming Event:
We invite you to join us for our next Town Hall on Friday, September 19, at Lake Manitoba Narrows. We’ll provide updates on the Fisher River IPCA and discuss ongoing provincial and national land access issues. Please mark your calendars and invite friends and neighbours from the Interlake and Westlake regions.
