Cree Nation and Parks Canada to Protect Wiinipaakw Waters with New Indigenous Protected Area

The Cree Nation Government and Parks Canada have taken a significant step toward the protection of the Eeyou Marine Region by completing the Feasibility Assessment and signing an agreement to work toward the establishment of an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) and national marine conservation area. This initiative aims to safeguard the rich marine ecosystem in the offshore waters of Wiinipaakw (James Bay).

Wiinipaakw (James Bay) holds immense cultural significance for the Crees and is crucial to their way of life, or Eeyou pimaatisiiwin. It is a unique marine environment with lower salt concentrations than Chiwiinipaakw (Hudson Bay), due to the inflow of freshwater from numerous rivers. This region is also a critical habitat for migrating birds and marine mammals.