On their ancestral territory, Cree voices are rising in support for the Aweshiish Protected Area

On the ancestral territory of the Cree First Nations of Waswanipi and Ouje-Bougoumou, voices are rising – voices rooted in a deep connection to the land, passed down from generation to generation.

Here, the land is more than just a place. It represents a way of life, a memory, an identity. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and living on the trapline are all practices that reflect an intimate relationship with the living world. But this connection is fragile.

Forests are disappearing. Habitats are being disrupted. Some landscapes now bear the marks of irreversible change.

In response, conservation efforts carried out jointly through the Aweshiish Indigenous-Led Protected Area project are helping to identify areas that must be preserved, so that future generations can continue to live from the land.

In this video, learn about the importance of the Aweshiish Indigenous-led protected area project.