FAQ for Neighbours & Stakeholders

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March 5, 2025

The Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Dene Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation have come together to permanently protect the Seal River Watershed as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). 

We envision a pristine watershed where lands and animals are healthy, economic opportunities flourish, languages and cultures thrive, visitors are welcome, and there is hope and abundance for future generations. 

The Alliance is exploring what tools can help us protect the watershed, including national or provincial parks.

As an Indigenous-led initiative, we work in the spirit of cooperation and consensus-based decision making. The Alliance is committed to collaborating with partners, stakeholders, and neighbours. 

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

• What’s an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA)?

  Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) take many forms, but they share common elements: they are Indigenous led; they represent a long-term commitment to conservation; and they elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities. Several IPAs have been established in recent years, including in partnership with Crown governments as national, provincial, or territorial parks. 

• Who has been involved in the Seal River Watershed IPA process?

  The four First Nations in the area formed the Seal River Watershed Alliance in 2020 to advance the proposed IPA. From the start, the Alliance has worked to bring all parties to the table, meeting with counterparts from the governments of Manitoba and Canada, community members, businesses owners, tourism associations, rights holders, and conservation groups.

  In 2024, the Alliance and Government of Canada kicked off a formal consultation process–as part of the feasibility assessment for a protected area–that collected feedback from stakeholders and the public. All three parties also invited stakeholders to meet together to share their interests and concerns. When the IPA proposal shifts into a negotiations phase, another extensive round of public and stakeholder consultation will begin with all three parties. 

• What’s happening now with the proposed protected area?

  In January, 2024, the Alliance Nations, Manitoba, and Canada signed an agreement providing interim protections for the watershed while they study the feasibility of a protected area. The process has been conducted in an open, transparent manner. Community members, Manitobans, and many others have shared input through gatherings, stakeholder engagements, and online surveys. 

  The findings of the feasibility assessment will be published in early 2025. The Alliance Nations, Manitoba, and Canada may then enter negotiations for proposed protected areas–kicking off additional rounds of consultation with stakeholders and the public. 

• Would non-Indigenous people be able to visit the watershed if the IPA is established?

  The Alliance welcomes visitors! The Seal is the largest undammed river in Manitoba, and the watershed is home to world-class hunting and fishing, bird watching, and cultural activities. 

  The Alliance Nations want Manitobans and others to access the beauty of these lands and traditions. The IPA will support a growing tourism industry that will create economic opportunity—not only for our four Nations, but across northern Manitoba. 

• Would existing outfitters and lodge owners in the watershed continue to operate?

  The Alliance has always recognized the importance of tourism in the region. We view it as essential to the success of the proposed IPA. For instance, five lodges in the watershed already generate about $11 million in revenue per year, creating a big impact in small, remote communities. 

  That’s why the Alliance is working with existing lodge owners and outfitters to ensure they can continue operating in the watershed in ways that are sustainable and reflect the values of Alliance Nations. We are confident that together, we can expand the regional tourism economy.  

• Will non-resident hunters be able to hunt or trap in the area?

  Harvesting and sharing wildlife is central to Dene and Cree ways of life. It’s also important for many Manitobans. The Alliance is exploring how to maintain opportunities for licensed hunters and anglers to access the area for harvesting that is respectful to community values and sustains animals and fish into the future. 

• Isn’t hunting banned in national parks?

  Activities allowed in national parks vary widely from place to place, depending on the location, history, and shared governance structure with Indigenous Nations. IPAs recently established as joint national parks, for instance, ensure rights holders can hunt, trap, and fish. 

  In the Seal River Watershed, many Alliance community members hunt and fish to feed their families and honour their traditions, and the Alliance wants to maintain those practices within the IPA. We also want to find ways to encourage sustainable licensed hunting and fishing, and we invite stakeholders to come to the table and explore that together. 

• Will an IPA mean there’s no development in the watershed?

  There are no mining claims in the proposed IPA, and the Alliance is committed to ensuring the watershed remains free of industrial development. Other areas in the north may be candidates for critical minerals or hydro, and First Nations, Manitoba, and companies can consider those opportunities through their own consultations. 

  That doesn’t mean there won’t be growth and prosperity in the watershed. The tourism industry will continue to expand, and so will the stewardship economy. The Alliance has already hired 13 trained Land Guardians to monitor wildlife and water quality, and support on-the-land activities. These new jobs in remote communities were made possible by the IPA proposal. 

• What happens next & who will be involved?

  An assessment by the Manitoba Government, the Government of Canada, and the four First Nations of the Alliance has concluded that establishing a protected area in the Seal River Watershed of northern Manitoba is feasible. They reached this conclusion after an extensive, year-long assessment of the natural, economic, social, and cultural impacts of creating an IPCA and potential national park reserve. 

  Now that all parties have determined a protected area is feasible, they will move into negotiations for an establishment agreement to create an IPCA. The IPCA would be established by the First Nations, and supported by Canada and Manitoba using Crown tools including a National Park Reserve and provincial protected area legislation. 

  Negotiation and any subsequent establishment processes will include Section 35 consultation with rights-holders and engagement with stakeholders and the public per Canada and Manitoba’s formal processes for establishing protected areas. 

  Any existing rights, titles, interests, entitlements, licences, permits or authorizations will remain in place through all protected area establishment processes, including negotiations and Indigenous, public and stakeholder engagement.