A vast stretch of the Boreal Forest in northwestern Ontario and northeastern Manitoba has officially been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Pimachiowin Aki means “the land that gives life”.
Gord Jones is the Project Manager and he says this the third attempt to gain the designation.
Jones says the nomination, which UNESCO calls “outstanding universal values”, is a very, very large protected area that’s been created by the first nations and the provinces that retains the cultural values and cultural attributes.
Jones says the designation recognizes not only the landscape, but the traditional Indigenous culture of the region.
The UNESCO bid was funded jointly by the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario and involves four First Nation communities on both sides of the boundary.
Jones calls it a very unique partnership.
Congratulations to members of Pimachiowin Aki & #WoodlandCaribouPP, now officially recognized as a @UNESCO World Heritage site! https://t.co/5z5bd6gF9Z
— Ontario Parks NW (@OntarioParksNWZ) July 3, 2018
