Seal River Watershed Alliance, Governments of Canada and Manitoba Announce Major Steps to Protect the Seal River Watershed
Press Release
April 17, 2026
WINNIPEG—The Seal River Watershed Alliance, the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government are highlighting significant investments in protecting the Seal River Watershed as the partners release a proposal to protect this area of northern Manitoba. To view the proposal and share feedback, visit https://engagemb.ca/seal-river-watershed.
The partners invite the public to provide comments on the proposal, which recommends protecting the Seal River Watershed through a network of protected areas that will sustain lands and waters, honour Indigenous ways of life and welcome visitors to the region in northern Manitoba.
Additionally, the government of Canada and Manitoba are making significant investments to protect the watershed. Today, the Manitoba government announced a $4-million endowment contribution to support the long-term protection of this area.
On March 31, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature and committed $74.7 million over 11 years and $7.9 million in ongoing funding to advance the establishment of the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area and national park reserve.
The protected area proposal released today reflects the deep ecological and cultural significance of the landscape. Spanning over 50,000 square kilometres, the Seal River Watershed is one of the largest intact watersheds in the world. Home to pristine lakes, wetlands and boreal forest, it sustains over 30 species at risk, including barren-ground caribou, polar bears and wolverines. The Seal River Watershed provides clean drinking water and carbon storage, and supports sustainable livelihoods through local food harvesting, ecotourism and conservation economies. The Seal River flows freely into Hudson Bay, unhindered by dams or industrial development. There are no active mineral claims, mining leases or significant petroleum discoveries.
Dene, Cree and Inuit peoples have had a relationship with the watershed for millennia, and in recent years, the four First Nations of the Seal River Watershed Alliance—the Sayisi Dene, Northlands Denesuline, Barren Lands and O Pipon Na Piwin Cree—have led the effort to ensure it remains intact and healthy for all people.
The proposal outlines a mosaic approach, combining different types of protected areas to achieve integrated conservation and stewardship. The entire Seal River Watershed would be protected as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). Within the IPCA, two-thirds of the watershed would be protected through a new provincial park designation and the remaining approximately one-third of the watershed would be designated as a national park reserve.
With this combined approach, partners would draw on a variety of tools and resources to support long-term conservation, generate economic opportunity and promote access for all Manitobans and Canadians. The four First Nations are committed to expanding sustainable tourism in the region and welcoming people to hike, paddle, hunt, fish and learn about Dene and Cree cultures.
The proposal includes establishing a joint management board appointed by the elected leadership of Indigenous governments, Canada and Manitoba. The joint management board would operate by consensus, guide stewardship and decision-making, and develop a management plan rooted in science and Indigenous knowledge, local user and community input and the interests of all Manitobans and Canadians.
The four First Nations, the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government have worked together for several years on a plan to protect the Seal River Watershed. On Jan. 18, 2024, the Nations, governments of Canada and Manitoba signed an agreement providing interim protections for the watershed. On March 5, 2025, after an assessment and public engagement process, the partners released a report concluding that protecting the watershed was feasible and would generate natural, economic, social and cultural benefits.
Before creating a new provincial park or changing the boundaries of an existing one, Manitoba must provide an opportunity for public consultation (Section 9(1) under the Provincial Parks Act). Boundary changes are also proposed for Sand Lakes and Caribou River provincial parks, as well as the Baralzon Lake Ecological Reserve. Creating a new national park would also require transfer of Manitoba Crown lands to the Government of Canada.
Visit https://engagemb.ca/seal-river-watershed to provide feedback on the protected area proposal for the Seal River Watershed. Feedback will be received by June 2. All feedback will be shared with Seal River Watershed Alliance and Parks Canada and will inform the final establishment agreement that will create Manitoba’s next protected area.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing the attached news release on behalf of the Seal River Watershed, the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government.
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Leaders of the four First Nations, Ministers for Canada and Manitoba
| Chief Shirley Ducharme O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation |
“Our four First Nations are proud to have led the effort to protect the Seal River Watershed. We have followed the caribou, fished in the lakes and gathered plants here for generations, and we want to ensure future generations can do the same. Partnering with Manitoba government and Government of Canada enables us to put protections in place that honour our responsibility to sustain these lands for our communities and all people.” |
| Chief Kelly-Ann Thom-Duck Sayisi Dene First Nation |
“This proposal brings our vision of protecting the Seal River Watershed one step closer. The Sayisi Dene have called the watershed home for millennia, and we experienced painful trauma and despair when we were forcibly relocated. Now we are working Nation-to-Nation-to-Nation to sustain these lands and waters, create economic opportunity, maintain our way of life and welcome visitors. It’s a new era of strength and healing.” |
| Chief Simon Denechezhe Northlands Denesuline First Nation |
“This proposal was created in the spirit of collaboration. Consensus decision making is a core part of Dene and Cree traditions, and the Seal River Watershed Alliance has worked hard to bring everyone to the table and build on our shared values. With our partners, we will ensure the future of the watershed reflects the interests of our communities, Manitobans and Canadians.” |
| Chief Michael Sewap Barren Lands First Nation |
“In the watershed we have clean water, moose, fish, medicines, and most important, we have the caribou. The Indigenous Protected and Conservation Area, provincial park and national park reserve will help all these animals and the people who care for them live and thrive into the future.” |
| Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew | “The Seal River initiative is an exciting opportunity for Indigenous governments, the federal government and us as the province. This proposal reflects strong partnership with the First Nations who have cared for these lands and waters for generations. By protecting the watershed, we are safeguarding clean water, protecting wildlife and creating new opportunities in tourism and conservation.” |
| Honourable Mike Moyes,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
“The Manitoba government is eager to hear from Manitobans about this incredible opportunity to protect and conserve one of the most remarkable natural areas in the province. Safeguarding the pristine Seal River watershed will deliver lasting environmental, cultural and recreational benefits for all Manitobans, while ensuring it remains healthy and intact for future generations. We are excited to invite everyone to share their perspective and contribute to shaping the future of the watershed.” |
| The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
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“Parks Canada is proud to collaborate with the Seal River Watershed Alliance and the Manitoba government on a proposal to conserve one of the world’s largest remaining intact watersheds. The proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, which would include the establishment of a national park reserve, is a priority for our government. It would safeguard lands and waters, strengthen wildlife and climate resilience, welcome visitors and deliver lasting benefits for northern communities. We encourage everyone to review the proposal and share their perspectives on this important initiative.” |
| The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency |
“The Seal River Watershed is an extraordinarily vast and living landscape, interwoven with the cultures, languages and livelihoods of the Indigenous Nations that comprise the Seal River Watershed Alliance and who have cared for this land since time immemorial. This proposal stands as a powerful example of what is possible when Indigenous leadership, communities and governments work together toward a shared vision. Public input is a vital part of this process, and we invite everyone to share their perspectives as we work collectively to balance the protection of the watershed with the opportunity to responsibly share its unparalleled beauty with outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come.” |
For more information:
- Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
- Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
- Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.
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