The proposal is a collaborative effort between the Seal River Watershed Alliance — the Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Dene Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation — along with the Governments of Manitoba and Canada, to protect one of the world’s largest intact watersheds. 

It aims to conserve clean water and wildlife, reflect Dene and Cree visions for the land, support Indigenous cultures and create lasting local opportunities through stewardship, Indigenous Guardian programs, and sustainable tourism. The proposal is designed to keep the watershed accessible for outdoor recreation, learning and visitor experiences, while protecting the natural values that make it unique and supporting a strong, long-term conservation-based economy.

An Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) is a place where Indigenous governments lead conservation and stewardship in a way that reflects their laws, knowledge and responsibilities to the land. 

The Seal River Watershed the proposal uses a “mosaic” approach that combines an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) throughout the entire watershed, combined with provincial and national park designations. This model provides durable, long-term protection while supporting public access, recreation and tourism. It also helps create local jobs through stewardship, monitoring and expanded Indigenous Guardian programs.

Because the watershed is remote and has no single entry point, there is no consolidated visitor count. 

The area is valued by hunters, anglers, paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts, and currently supports five fly-in lodges offering remote wilderness experiences. Looking ahead, the proposal’s focus on stewardship and visitor planning is intended to keep the watershed open and welcoming — and strengthen the wilderness values that lodges depend on, helping existing operators attract more guests over time by protecting what makes this destination exceptional and supporting a stable, long-term tourism economy in the region. 

Importantly, the Seal River Watershed is not only a destination for visitors — it is also home to community members who live on and actively use the land for travel, harvesting and cultural practices. This ongoing, everyday connection to the watershed is a foundational part of its use and stewardship.

A key feature of the proposal is continued public access. People will still be able to enjoy activities such as paddling, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting and other nature-based experiences. 

Hunting will remain a central part of how people connect with this landscape, supporting both recreational use and responsible wildlife management. The goal is to keep the watershed open and welcoming while managing use sustainably, so the landscapes, wildlife, and traditions people value today — including hunting — remain healthy and accessible for future generations.

The proposal focuses on preventing large-scale industrial impacts so the watershed remains intact, healthy and accessible for visitors and future generations. There are currently no active mineral claims or mining leases in this area.

Protecting the watershed now helps avoid irreversible disruption and supports long-term local opportunities tied to stewardship, guiding and tourism that depend on a pristine landscape.

The proposal supports a diversified conservation economy built around tourism, stewardship, monitoring and Indigenous-led land management.

Tourism is already a key economic driver in the Seal River Watershed, and protecting this area can help tourism grow and generate jobs. With three levels of government — Indigenous governments, Manitoba and Canada — partnering on governance and implementation, the proposal will bring sustained, long-term public investment to the protection of this watershed, supporting community capacity, creating jobs and expanding Indigenous Guardian programs over time.

The proposal calls for a joint management board with representation from the Indigenous governments, Manitoba and Canada, operating collaboratively and by consensus. 

This shared governance approach is intended to blend Indigenous knowledge and science, incorporate input from local users and stakeholders, and support responsible visitor access. It also keeps decision-making close to the people most connected to the land, helping ensure stewardship and economic benefits flow to local communities.

Public engagement has been a formal part of the process, including consultation led by both the Government of Manitoba and Parks Canada.

The proposal is currently available for public feedback through EngageMB, and input from communities, stakeholders and the public will help shape the final plan. This engagement supports transparency and helps ensure the protected area remains accessible and delivers real benefits for local communities and the broader public.

The proposal recognizes hunting and fishing as important cultural and recreational activities and supports continued access through the mosaic model, with different tools used in different areas.

In the proposed provincial park areas, hunting, fishing, guided outfitting and ecotourism would continue. In the proposed national park reserve areas, public access, recreational angling and ecotourism would also continue, with transitional measures for some hunting and outfitting activities in specific areas as the park is established. Overall, the intent is to maintain access while ensuring wildlife and fish populations remain healthy.

The proposal aims to support and expand sustainable tourism, building on existing operators that already bring visitors to the region.

By protecting the watershed’s clean water, wildlife and wilderness, the plan strengthens the qualities that draw visitors and contribute to the success of tourism businesses. The goal is to grow a stable, long-term tourism economy that creates more local jobs — from guiding and hospitality to cultural experiences and stewardship — while keeping the watershed accessible for all to enjoy.