Since time immemorial, the Cree have stewarded their territory with respect and responsibility, ensuring the land and all living beings thrive for generations.
Today, conservation efforts continue in that spirit – rooted in Cree knowledge and ways of life and supported by new tools and strategies that reflect both Cree values and changing realities.
Internationnal Commitment
Eeyou Istchee Protected Areas
Canadian Government Commitment
Conservation-related Moments in Eeyou Istchee
Quebec Commitment
Marine Conservation Event
Target: Protect 8% of Quebec by 2005
Signing of the Paix des Braves
Adoption of the Natural Heritage Act - provides the legislative framework for creating protected areas.
4 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves in Waskaganish: Baie de Boatswain, Collines de Muskuchii, Plaine de la Missisicabi, Péninsule de Ministikawatin
1 Proposed Aquatic Reserve: Rivière Harricana Nord (Waskaganish)
2 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves: Lac Taibi (Waswanipi), Waskaganish (Waskaganish)
1 Proposed Aquatic Reserve: Haute Harricana (Waskaganish)
3 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves: Ruisseau Niquet (Waskaganish), Lac Wetetnagami (Waswanipi), Drumlins-du-Lac-Clerac ( Mistissini)
1 Proposed Biodiversity Reserve: Nibiischii National Park (Mistissini)
UN adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
1 Proposed Biodiversity Reserve: Paakumshumwaau-Maatuskaau (Wemindji)
1 Territorial Reserve for Protected Area Purposes: Lac-Burton-Rivière-Roggan-et-la-Pointe-Louis-XI (Chisasibi)
2 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves: Hirondelle (Mistissini), Lac-Sérigny (Chisasibi)
Wemindji’s Tawich Protected Area Initiative ignites interest in marine conservation and leads collaboration between the Cree Nation Government (CNG) and Canada to work toward the protection of the Eeyou Marine Region (EMR).
Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement signed between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Governments of Canada and Nunavut.
Broadback Watershed Proposal (Assinica National Park Reserve - Ouje-Bougoumou)
Aichi Biodiversity Targets: Protect 17% terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020.
Target: Protect 12% of Quebec by 2015
Plan Nord : Creation of Cree Vision of Plan Nord (2011) and the creation of the Cree Regional Conservation Strategy (2015)
Plan Nord: Commitment to designate 50% of the territory north of the 49th parallel for conservation purposes by 2035 (Tursujuq National Park - Whapmagoostui)
Quebec commits to the Aichi Objectives
Agreement to Resolve the Baril-Moses Forestry Dispute
Cree Regional Conservation Strategy
Canada adopts the Biodiversity Goals and Targets based on Aichi objectives
From 2016 to 2019 : The CNG held engagement sessions across Eeyou Istchee to identify priority areas for protection from industrial development with the aim to protect at least 20% of the territory by 2020.
Cree-Quebec Governance Agreement
2 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves: Chisesaakahikan-et-de-la-Rivière-Broadback (Waswanipi, Nemaska) Assinica expansion (Ouje-Bougoumou)
1 Proposed Aquatic Reserve: Waswanipi Lake (Waswanipi)
The CNG and Parks Canadasign an MOU to explore the feasibility of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in the Eeyou Marine Region (EMR)
2019–2023 NMCA Feasibility Assessment process: workshops and community engagements
Establishment of Protected Areas in Eeyou Istchee
23 Proposed Biodiversity Reserves — protecting 23% of the territory
Canada adopts UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Amendment to the Natural Heritage Conservation Act to include recognition of Indigenous‑led conservation initiatives
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework - goal of 30% protection of continental environments by 2030
Canada adopts the Kunming-Montréal Global Framework
Target: Protect 30% of Quebec by 2030
Quebec adopts the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework as part of its Nature Plan.
Parks Canada and CNG complete the feasibility assessment and sign an MOU to advance Wiinipaakw (James Bay) IPA-NMCA in the Eeyou Marine Region.
Wiinipaakw (James Bay) IPA-NMCA establishment negociations begin.
