Indigenous-led Effort to Protect Marine Habitat on Hudson Bay and James Bay Takes Key Step Forward

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Mushkegowuk Council and Canadian government sign agreement to assess proposal to create over 90,000-square-kilometer conservation area. 

Byline: Oceans North

The Mushkegowuk Council and Canadian government have signed an agreement taking a step toward designating a proposed Indigenous-led, over 90,000-square-kilometer marine protected area in the western James Bay and southwestern Hudson Bay region.

The agreement, signed by Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon, the elected leader of the Mushkegowuk Council, and Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, launches a feasibility assessment for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) to protect the waters of Weeneebeg (western James Bay) and Washaybeyoh (southwestern Hudson Bay).

The Mushkegowuk Council, the regional chief’s council representing seven Cree First Nations in Northern Ontario, and Omushkego Cree Elders have been the driving force behind efforts to protect the region. Last year, Mushkegowuk chiefs approved a motion to have nation-to-nation talks with the federal government about establishing the NMCA. The proposed marine protected area is adjacent to one of the largest stocks of carbon-rich peatlands in the world called the “breathing lands” by Elders. These ancient wetlands play a vital role in cooling the planet. The marine and peatland ecosystems support each other.

The region is a haven for wildlife and the communities that depend on these animals for hunting. James Bay, which is relatively warm and shallow, is home to a year-round population of beluga whales, the world’s southernmost population of polar bears, and many other iconic Arctic and subarctic species. Additionally, it’s an important stopover for millions of migratory birds that fly across continents from their southern wintering habitat to this region where they nest and feed each summer – hence, the Omushkego name “birthing grounds.”

Protecting the marine ecosystems will not only help to conserve biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change, but also help maintain food security, culture, traditions, and well-being of Omushkego Cree communities, who have long been stewards of these lands and waters.

The agreement underlines the Omushkego and Canadian government’s shared interest in protecting the ecological and cultural integrity of this globally significant ecosystem. By initiating a formal process to study the biodiversity, carbon, economic, and cultural values of this area, these two groups can come together to share and build a world-leading example of Indigenous-led conservation.

A number of partners, including Oceans North, Wildlands League, and Ocean Collaborative, supported the Mushkegowuk Council in the efforts to reach this agreement. In addition to Mushkegowuk Council’s seven First Nations, Weenusk First Nation, and Fort Severn have also joined the project. The announcement marks the start of a three-year study process that will be supported in part by Oceans North, the Blue Nature Alliance’s lead in-country partner for Arctic marine conservation, to gather data and information for the feasibility study.