Sakitawak IPCA is working with Nature Canada to promote Indigenous-led conservation efforts for the N-14 Fur Block. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By Elliott Knopp

N-14 Fur Block Conservation

Sakitawak, Nature Canada collaborate on conservation campaign

Oct 7, 2021 | 5:58 PM

The Sakitawak Indigenous Protected Conserved Area (IPCA) has announced a new partnership with Nature Canada that will see Indigenous-led conservation efforts be promoted for the N-14 Fur Block in Northwestern Saskatchewan.

The campaign is focused on raising national awareness around the importance of the area while helping Sakitawak IPCA secure the financial support necessary to continue regional protection.

Located approximately five hours North of Saskatoon, the area is said to be the habitat for woodland caribou, freshwater fisheries and old-growth pine forests.

In a media release, Ducks Unlimited Canada estimated total soil organic carbon stored by the N-14 Fur Block, wetland and upland areas combined at nearly 225-million tonnes.

This is said to be equivalent to the total annual carbon dioxide emissions from around 179-million cars, or 20 years of emissions from 8.9-million motor vehicles.

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Sakitawa IPCA Manager Peter Durocher said the area has suffered from the lack of conservation efforts, which has resulted in a startling decline of some species.

“One of the things that people don’t understand is that the caribou is declining in our country,” Durocher said.

“I don’t want to be the last generation that says caribou in our country.”

The campaign is designed to draw the attention of residents across the country so the Sakitawak IPCA and the community of Île-à-la-Crosse can share their stories with more than 1,000 nature organizations and millions of Canadians.

Graham Saul, Executive Director of Nature Canada, highlighted the importance of the partnership, mentioning the Indigenous Peoples of Sakitawakat were integral in safeguarding the area.

“This opportunity to work with and learn from the Métis of Sakitawak is coming at a critical time when protecting the Boreal is key to combating the twin crises of species loss and climate change,” Saul said.

Sakitawak IPCA believes Indigenous-led conservation is key in creating a prosperous ecosystem.

The organization stated “Indigenous peoples are the first conservationists in a spirit of reciprocity with the lands,” adding re-establishing Indigenous leadership in protection efforts is the most efficient method of conservation.

Île-à-la-Crosse Mayor Duane Favel reinforced this belief, saying partnerships with organizations like Nature Canada are crucial to the long-term success of the community’s conservation efforts.

“We cannot do this alone,” he said.

“The stature and history of Nature Canada will allow us to communicate our goals to a larger audience in Canada whose interests in conservation are common and global in intent.”

The Sakitawak IPCA is one of only four Métis-led conservation projects in Canada that is funded by the federal government.

If the N-14 Fur Block is protected, it will become the third-largest IPCA in Canada, covering nearly 22,000 square kilometres or 523,000 hectares of the Boreal forest.

Anyone who would like to follow the N-14 Fur Block conservation campaign can do so online at https://sakitawakconservation.org/. A social media component to the campaign is expected to emerge as things continue to develop.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp