World’s Largest Protected Boreal Forest sees major expansion

By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

(ANNews) – The Mikisew Cree Nation is celebrating the expansion of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park in Northern Alberta to nearly double its existing land area – dedicated to conservation, recreation and supporting traditional activities.

In an interview with Alberta Native News, Chief Peter Powder praised the collaborative efforts between governments, industry, and neighbouring nations to further expand Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park.

Those collaborative discussions included the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, and Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon.

“This collaboration shows that when we work together, we can achieve great results,” said Chief Peter Powder of the Mikisew Cree First Nation.

“The new park acts as a buffer between industry and Nuwenene Park – We have the protection of our lands and animals. Without this park industry would come in and wipe out our endangered animals,” he added.

“The Park is important to us for our land and water – for our future.”

The expansion of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park will see the park grow by 1,438 km2 from its western border. The total area of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park is now over 775,000 acres or about six times the size of Waterton Lakes National Park. Kitaskino means “our land” in Cree and Nuwenëné means “our land” in Dene.

The newly protected portion of the park fulfills another objective of the Mikisew Cree First Nation’s land use vision by conserving ecologically and culturally important watersheds that support the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.

“It is great to see this expansion become a reality. Expanding this protected area is part of our vision for Peace Athabasca Delta, North America’s largest inland river delta, and important resources such as the woodland caribou and wood bison,” stated Chief Powder.

Mikisew Cree First Nation, through support from Canada’s Nature Fund, led the collaborative discussions, which began in 2019, with several companies surrendering Crown mineral agreements to make the expansion possible.

“We respectfully acknowledge our Elders for the wisdom they shared in helping us identify these watersheds for protection and we are proud future generations will benefit from their foresight,” added Chief Powder. “”Canada’s Nature Fund helped us chart the collaborative strategy that allowed us to achieve this significant outcome with the support of our neighbouring nations, the provincial and federal governments and many industry partners.”

Collaborative discussions now focus on the protection of additional bison habitat and increasing the connectivity of the parts of the park on each side of the Athabasca River.

Chief Powder explained that the park is expected to create job opportunities for the local people. He noted that there are also ongoing discussions for a New Peace Institute, that will create more long-term jobs.

The collaborative partners were all pleased with the outcome.

“This agreement is a watershed moment in understanding what happens when the provincial and federal governments, alongside First Nations and industry, work collaboratively for the benefit of all. This region has been a key component of the ecosystem that so much wildlife, including birds and caribou, rely on,” stated MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Tany Yao.

“The expansion of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park will provide even more enjoyment for those who like to immerse themselves in northern Alberta’s beautiful natural areas and presents a good opportunity to develop touristic opportunities in the region.”