There are few great forests left in the world. And even fewer where indigenous people have been taking care of the land for thousands of years. But such a rare place exists in the heart of Canada's boreal forest. In Ojibwe we call it Pimachiowin Aki (Pim–MATCH–cho–win Ahh–KEY) or "the land that gives life." Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) Elders teach us that the land provides fresh water, healthy food and clean air for many people near and far.

We have listened to the elders and are inspired by how they have been taking care of the land - long before any of us were born. So in 2004 First Nations communities and the Manitoba and Ontario provincial governments came together to create a unique partnership to look after the exceptional forest and the sacred culture - that have existed together for centuries.

The Pimachiowin Aki Corporation has been working to have a portion of this boreal forest, that straddles the Manitoba-Ontario border in Canada, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the support of our partners and researchers, the Corporation completed a nomination package in Janury 2012 building the case for why this area has - what UNESCO calls "Outstanding Universal Value"- and describing why it should be conserved, protected and promoted to share its values throughout the world.  See the Pimachiowin Aki nomination document or a shorter summary of the nomination.