“Our community knows that a World Heritage Site can help protect the boreal forest and our culture. We want to be closely involved in the development of the nomination to UNESCO and in the future management of a new World Heritage Site,” says newly appointed Pimachiowin Aki board member William Young, from Bloodvein River First Nation.

Located 210 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Bloodvein River First Nation sits on three kilometres of shoreline on the east side of Lake Winnipeg directly north of the Bloodvein River and is home to about 1500 residents both on and off the reserve. The Bloodvein River is a designated Canadian Heritage River and flows east-west through the traditional Ojibwe territory.

Before a full house a the Manitoba legislature the Manitoba government says a portion of the trust fund will be dedicated to providing direct benefits to local communities by supporting grassroots development projects such as heritage interpretive centres, cultural education and training programs or culturally-appropriate social services to name a few.

“With this trust fund many more people who share the vision of our elders can now make preserving the boreal forest their dream too. In creating this fund we’ve created a way all of us can help protect the land whether we’re school children or international organizations,” said Sophia Rabliauskas, Pimachiowin Aki spokesperson seated here with outgoing Premier Gary Doer designate Ambassador to the USA. (See Video)

IISD Researchers Stephen Barg and Vivek Voora share research results with reporters showing that the Manitoba-Ontario boreal forest has significant economic value through the services nature provides people. For more downloadable images from the press conference, contact Gord Jones.

Sophia Rabliauskas, spokesperson for Pimachiowin Aki explains that the ISSD report confirms what First Nations, who live on the land, also know – the land has great value for many people. The IISD study will support the bid to have the boreal forest designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, she said.

IISD Researchers Stephen Barg and Vivek Voora share research results with reporters showing that the Manitoba-Ontario boreal forest has significant economic value through the services nature provides people. For more downloadable images from the press conference, contact Gord Jones.

Sophia Rabliauskas, spokesperson for Pimachiowin Aki explains that the ISSD report confirms what First Nations, who live on the land, also know – the land has great value for many people. The IISD study will support the bid to have the boreal forest designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, she said.