Chitek Lake Park Reserve is one step closer to becoming Manitoba's newest provincial park!
Chitek Lake was designated as a provincial park reserve in 1999 under The Provincial Parks Act of Manitoba in order to protect lands representing parts of the Manitoba Lowlands Natural Region. The proposed area includes the core of the Skownan First Nation's tradional territory and several important archeological sites of importance to the community. Residents use this area year round for hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering of roots and berries.
The area to be protected is 1,003 km sq in size and is located in the central Interlake region, located approximately 350 km northwest of Winnipeg. The intact lands surrounding the reserve support Manitoba's only herd of free range bison and is the only place in the province where moose, white-tailed deer, elk, woodland caribou and wood bison share the same area. Both wood bison and woodland caribou are listed at threatened under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA).
The proposed changes:
– To change the designation of the Chitek Lake Park Reserve as a provincial park.
– To designate the park under the proposed Indigenous Traditional Use provincial park classification to recognize and celebrate the traditional use of this area by Skownan First Nation.
– To classify the lands in the park as the backcountry and access land use categories.
We at CPAWS Manitoba Chapter urge you to send a note of support to the Manitoba government regarding the proposed changes. Consultation closes August 24th, 2014.
More about Chitek Lake Park Reserve
Source: Chitek Lake Park Reserve Background