November 27, 2025
KI and Wapekeka Nations Declare Homelands Completely Protected
Invite Diplomatic Talks with Province
Toronto, ON – Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Nation (KI) and Wapekeka First Nation have declared 3 million hectares of their Homeland completely protected in northwestern Ontario. KI Chief Donny Morris and Wapekeka First Nation Deputy Chief Allan Brown travelled 2,000 km to Toronto to ask Ontario to hitch them on this vital initiative that dates again 20 years.
Known as Anishininew Aki, in their very own language, Anishininiimowin, these lands embrace the KI land withdrawal space and the Fawn River Indigenous Protected Space totalling 3 million hectares of largely intact boreal forest and wetlands, clear lakes and wholesome rivers: an space 48 occasions bigger than town of Toronto.
“This has been a long-standing subject for the neighborhood and neighborhood management. Once we say diplomatic, we’re severe about an sincere dialogue with Ontario to maneuver this ahead towards everlasting safety of the three million hectares,” KI Chief Donny Morris. “We have to go away some inexperienced behind. We don’t know what the longer term will seem like,” Morris added.
“Our Elders have been telling us that water is crucial for all times. That is for us: to guard our water,” says Deputy Chief Allan Brown of Wapekeka First Nation. “Canada and Ontario signed the Treaty with us and it’s meant to be ongoing in implementation. It doesn’t expire. Proper now, Ontario seems extra focused on mining and growth,” Deputy Chief Brown says.
Positioned roughly 600 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Anishininew Aki, covers 3 million hectares, of which 77% is already withdrawn from mining. “This space is vital for the planet and our communities, is taking part in a task in serving to to battle local weather change by safeguarding a watershed that gives clear consuming water for all life, habitat for the fish, water life and animals, meals and journey methods for our folks, moisture for the air and wealthy carbon peatlands our folks consult with because the respiratory lands,” Chief Morris added.
“Premier Ford indicators loads of offers on growth. It’s time for the federal government to acknowledge the safety aspect of issues, they’ve an obligation to work with First Nations on land protections,” says KI Deputy Chief Cecilia Begg. “It’s essential, we begin taking these steps earnestly and that mining firms respect our course of,” Deputy Chief Begg added.
MPP Sol Mamakwa, who represents the driving of Kiiwetinoong at Queen’s Park, commends KI and Wapekeka for taking this step and echoes their calls to Ontario. “In declaring their homelands completely protected, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka First Nation are asserting their Inherent Rights, Title and sovereignty to safeguard the methods of life, the land, and the well-being of all. I name on the Premier and his Authorities to have interaction in diplomatic talks with these nations and substantively assist their conservation efforts.”
“We’ve been honoured to assist KI and now Wapekeka for 20 years. These lands are a robust pure answer to local weather holding greater than 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon of their soils. The world owes these leaders an immense debt of gratitude,” says Jan Sumner, Government Director for Wildlands League. “That is how we make progress on attaining the formidable objectives of the Kunming-Montreal International Biodiversity Framework geared toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030”, Sumner says.
“We’re proud to assist KI and Wapekeka of their work to guard their Homelands and the wildlife that depend upon them. Conservation should respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples to safeguard their lands, worldviews and Information Techniques,” says Dr. Constance O’Connor, Director Ontario Northern Boreal Program, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada.
“The lands, waters and wildlife of Anishininew Aki symbolize one of many world’s uncommon intact areas of boreal forest, peatlands which are combatting local weather change, and free-flowing rivers. These ecosystems are important for species in danger corresponding to boreal and migratory caribou and lake sturgeon, which require giant untrammeled areas for migration, breeding, and feeding and are extremely delicate to human disturbance. Anishininew Aki and the encompassing space stay a refuge for a lot of northern species at a time when growth pressures proceed to extend throughout northern areas,” O’Connor added.
“Anishininew Aaki helps thousands and thousands of nesting birds that migrate south to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The Nationwide Audubon Society helps the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Nation and the Wapekeka First Nation of their conservation imaginative and prescient for his or her Homelands. The conservation of those wealthy ecological lands which are globally vital for birds shall be an incredible reward to the world,” says Dr. Jeffrey Wells, Vice-president, Canada Program, Nationwide Audubon Society.
“Waterfowl like Canada Geese and Mallards breed right here and migrate to winter in wetlands within the U.S. Songbirds like Northern Waterthrush nest within the carbon-rich wetlands of the territory and fly south to winter within the carbon-rich mangrove forests of the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. Shorebirds just like the Lesser Yellowlegs nest in peatlands of the area and make epic longdistance journeys to spend the non-breeding season as far south as Chile and Argentina,” Wells added.
Each Chiefs expressed their gratitude to all of the allies and pals who’ve supported them over time. They sit up for lastly attaining their objectives.
For extra data please contact:
Lands and Atmosphere Director Jacob Ostaman, KI, 807-632-1887
Deputy Chief Allan Brown, Wapekeka First Nation, 807-738-3485
Conservation Director Anna Baggio, Wildlands League, 416-453-3285
Director of Communications, Ashleigh Talbot, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, 778-400-7090
