Pimachiowin Aki
Country
Canada
Inscribed in
2018
Criteria
(iii)
(vi)
(ix)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Pimachiowin Aki ('The Land That Gives Life') is a landscape of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and boreal forest. It forms part of the ancestral home of the Anishinaabeg, an indigenous people living from fishing, hunting and gathering. The site encompasses the traditional lands of four Anishinaabeg communities (Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River). It is an exceptional example of the cultural tradition of Ji-ganawendamang Gidakiiminaan ('keeping the land'), which consists of honouring the gifts of the Creator, respecting all forms of life, and maintaining harmonious relations with others. A complex network of livelihood sites, habitation sites, travel routes and ceremonial sites, often linked by waterways, provides testimony to this ancient and continuing tradition. © UNESCO
Summary
2020 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Good
Current state and trend of VALUES
Good
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Description of values
Largest and most complete example of the North American boreal shield
Criterion
(ix)
Pimachiowin Aki is the most complete and largest example of the North American boreal shield, including its characteristic biodiversity and ecological processes. The World Heritage site contains an exceptional diversity of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and fully supports wildfire, nutrient flow, species movements, and predator-prey relationships, which are essential ecological processes in the boreal forest (World Heritage Committee, 2018). The Canadian Boreal Forest is the largest intact forest on Earth (Boreal Conservation, 2019).
Supports characteristic boreal species
Criterion
(ix)
Pimachiowin Aki’s remarkable size (2,904,000 ha), intactness, and ecosystem diversity support characteristic boreal species such as Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Moose (Alces alces), Wolf (Canis lupus), Wolverine (Gulo gulo), Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens), Loon (Gavia immer) and Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Sustained predator-prey relationships
Criterion
(ix)
Notable predator-prey relationships are sustained among species such as Wolf (Canis lupus) and Moose (Alces alces) and Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and Lynx (Lynx canadensis) and Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Sustainable, traditional use as an integral part of the boreal ecosystems
Criterion
(ix)
Traditional use by the Anishinaabeg people, including sustainable fishing, hunting and trapping, is also an integral part of the boreal ecosystems in the World Heritage site. Pimachiowin Aki exemplifies the indissoluble bonds between culture and nature. It is therefore vital that the integrity of customary governance and oral traditions be maintained in order to ensure continuity of the cultural tradition across generations and a continuation of the current high levels of stewardship which are evident within the site (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Assessment information
The greatest current threat is the increase in size and frequency in wildfires, which may accelerate climate-driven changes in boreal forest structure and composition. Care has been taken to minimize impacts of road construction, and the proposal of a linear wildlife refuge along it is salutary.
Habitat Shifting/ Alteration, Droughts, Temperature extremes
(Changes in boreal forest structure and composition due to increasing size and frequency of wildfires)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Outside site
The size and frequency of large wildfires in western North America have increased in recent years, a trend climate change is likely to exacerbate. Due to fuel limitations, recently burned forests resist burning for upwards of 30 years; however, extreme fire-conducive weather enables reburning at shorter fire-free intervals than expected. Drier and warmer weather will increase the incidence of short-interval reburning and amplify the ecological changes such events cause, as wildfire activity and post-fire drought increase synergistically. These interacting disturbances will accelerate climate-driven changes in boreal forest structure and composition (Whitman et al., 2019).
Roads, Trails & Railroads
(All-season road)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
An all-season road has been constructed in Manitoba on the western side of the property, on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. The road provides year-round road access to the communities of Bloodvein River (within the site) and Berens River (adjacent to the site). There are currently no plans to link Poplar River, Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids First Nations to the all-season road network. The First Nations / Provincial Government structure has reportedly been effective in minimizing environmental impacts from construction of the all-season road, with many changes reportedly effected through community consultation. This same governance system is now proposing a linear wildlife refuge along the road corridor to address incursions for moose hunting. Reportedly, the Province has signaled willingness to take this step, based on details to be proposed by First Nations (IUCN, 2018).
Water-borne & other effluent Pollution, Agricultural effluents
(Pollution, eutrophication and algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg on western edge of the property)
Outside site
Lake Winnipeg, among the largest freshwater lakes in the world, marks a substantial part of the western boundary of the site but suffers from pollution, eutrophication and algae blooms (all caused by activities well outside the nominated area). Increasing phosphorous influx, mostly from farming activities further to the south, has led to algae blooms of cyanobacteria in Lake Winnipeg that have nearly doubled in size since the mid 1990s (Schindler et al., 2012). These algae blooms are observable on the lake’s shoreline on the site's boundary. The critical role of clean river waters in the site for the continued health of Lake Winnipeg is widely acknowledged, and the four highest volume rivers that originate from, or flow through, the site provide 6,889,000 cubic metres of pristine, uncontaminated water to the lake annually (Wells et al., 2013).
Problematic Native Species, Pathogens
(Impact of insect pests and diseases on the forests in the property)
Other invasive species names
Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana); jack pine budworm (Choristoneura pinus)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Insect pests (e.g. spruce budworm and jack pine budworm) and diseases are naturally occurring disturbances that periodically affect parts of the World Heritage site and can cause forest mortality. Extreme weather events and climate change may increase the frequency and severity of such disturbance events (State Party of Canada, 2016).
The Outstanding Universal Value of the site is closely tied to the stewardship of the Anishinaabeg, and therefore maintaining the cultural foundation of their management is essential.
Other potential threats, albeit currently at a very low level, include impacts from over-harvesting of certain species and impacts of exotic or invasive species.
Other potential threats, albeit currently at a very low level, include impacts from over-harvesting of certain species and impacts of exotic or invasive species.
Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge systems that result in negative impact, Identity/social cohesion/ changes in local population and community that result in negative impact
(Erosion of the bonds that exist between culture and nature )
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Outside site
Patterns of traditional use (fishing, gathering, hunting and trapping) and veneration of specific sites by the Anishinaabe First Nations have developed over millennia through adaptation to the dynamic ecological processes of the boreal forest, and appear to be ecologically sustainable (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Each of the four First Nations has their own distinct tradition, including their unique and thriving dialects. Some of the teachings and skills have been lost or weakened and are being re-learned. The extensive recording of oral history and its codifying into educational programmes and tourist interpretation is an important cultural process, and care needs to be exercised to protect the use of this knowledge. The ability of the First Nations to sustain their culture is also under some threat from socioeconomic and health issues and by acculturation. The former include extremely high unemployment, and health problems (ICOMOS, 2018).
Each of the four First Nations has their own distinct tradition, including their unique and thriving dialects. Some of the teachings and skills have been lost or weakened and are being re-learned. The extensive recording of oral history and its codifying into educational programmes and tourist interpretation is an important cultural process, and care needs to be exercised to protect the use of this knowledge. The ability of the First Nations to sustain their culture is also under some threat from socioeconomic and health issues and by acculturation. The former include extremely high unemployment, and health problems (ICOMOS, 2018).
Utility & Service Lines
(Potential hydro-electric transmission lines)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
The nomination dossier referenced the issue of hydro-electric transmission lines noting that in the event of future demand and/or to strengthen supply reliability there may be the possibility of transmission lines needing to be developed within the nominated area. Though there is no expectation of immediate future high voltage transmission line development, the Province of Manitoba has not ruled out the possibility. In 2017, a high voltage power line was constructed 250 km to the west of the property. Furthermore, hydroelectric development (i.e. generation, transmission, water containment and control) is prohibited by law within the site boundaries. Despite proposed environmental and consultative safeguards, building such a transmission corridor remains a potential threat to the World Heritage site (IUCN, 2018; State Party of Canada, 2016).
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Potential impact from exotic or invasive species)
Other invasive species names
Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and spiny waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
So far no exotic or invasive species have been reported in the World Heritage site but there is a risk that some invasive species that are already known from areas south of the site may eventually reach the site – and this risk is potentially amplified by climate change (State Party of Canada, 2016).
Hunting and trapping, Fishing, Harvesting & Controlling Aquatic Species
(Potential impacts from overharvesting of species)
Other targeted species names
Moose, Woodland Caribou, Lake Sturgeon, etc.
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
There is a small risk of some species to be overharvested through hunting, trapping and fishing. Therefore, the overall status and trends in species such as moose, woodland caribou and lake sturgeon need to be monitored with a view to maintain healthy populations.
First Nations have played the leading role in defining the approach to protection and management of Pimachiowin Aki. The four First Nation communities have strong traditional mechanisms of protection that draw from the cultural tradition of Keeping the Land as articulated in the First Nations Accord, 2002. Protection and management of the World Heritage site are achieved through Anishinaabe customary governance grounded in Ji-ganawendamang Gidakiiminaan, contemporary provincial government law and policy, and cooperation among the four First Nations and two provincial government partners. A memorandum of agreement between the provincial governments also provides assurances about protection and management of the site (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Cooperation among the four First Nations and two provincial government partners, organized as the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, is novel but thus far effective (Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, 2019). The World Heritage site has an overall management plan that brings together key elements of the four First Nation land management plans and the management plans of the provincial parks. The site management plan and series of legal protections uphold the practices associated with the traditional land management system embedded in Ji-ganawendamang Gidakiiminaan (Keeping the Land). The World Heritage Committee recommended to strengthen the overall management plan, and make it more proactive, including by: 1) Addressing specific over-arching themes such as socio-economic development, diversification and support for local economies; 2) Developing action plans for specific aspects such as visitor management, to ensure it is sustainable in terms of the landscape and its spiritual associations, is under the control of the communities, and offers benefits to them; and 3) Harmonising zoning principles for land-use in the various plans. The Committee also recommended regular monitoring of the effectiveness of the management plan as a proactive tool for the benefit of communities (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Pimachiowin Aki is of sufficient size to encompass all aspects of Anishinaabe traditional livelihood activities, customary waterways, traditional knowledge of the landscape and seasonal rounds of travel, for hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering, and sacred sites (although some of these extend beyond the boundaries), and includes sufficient attributes necessary to convey its value. Further extensions of the boundaries over time, as may be proposed by First Nations adjacent to the site boundaries, would further improve the integrity of the site (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
The site is integrated into regional planning through the participation of the two provincial governments in the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation.
First Nations and provincial partners have created the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation and developed a consensual, participatory governance structure, financial capacity, and management framework for the World Heritage site. The Pimachiowin Aki Corporation acts as a coordinating management body.
The vast majority (c. 99.98 %) of the World Heritage site is protected under provincial legislation that recognizes the protected areas identified in the First Nation land management plans and provincial parks legislation (provincial parks legislation applies to three provincial protected areas). There is supportive “enabling legislation” at federal and provincial levels relating to protecting species at risk, regulating resources and development, as well as to public consultation on proposed land-uses. The four First Nation communities are on federal lands and make up the remainder of the World Heritage site (c. 0.02 %). Additional national and provincial legislation applies, for example, to Lake Winnipeg, several rivers and with regards to specific terrestrial and aquatic species. In most cases the protection is primarily for nature conservation but the First Nation land management plans and provincial park legislation allows cultural heritage to be taken into account. The entire World Heritage site is protected from all commercial logging, mining, peat extraction, and the development of hydroelectric power, oil and natural gas. Similar protections cover the management areas of the buffer zone (World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Land and resource use enforcement and compliance activities are conducted according to First Nation customary practices and/or by provincial agencies (State Party of Canada, 2016).
The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2018, with some recommendations made by the World Heritage Committee at that time (World Heritage Committee, 2018). Some actions have already been undertaken to address them. A monitoring program has been initiated, road construction is controlled, and other actions are being planned. However, it is too early to assess overall implementation.
Sustainable fishing, hunting and trapping are part of the traditional use by Anishinaabeg, which is also an integral part of the boreal ecosystems of Pimachiowin Aki (World Heritage Committee, 2018). Implementation of land management plans and the Pimachiowin Aki Management Plan involves the development and enhancement of new and existing sustainable eco-cultural tourism opportunities.
The majority of funding for the protection and management of Pimachiowin Aki comes from income earned on investment of a permanent fund and government grants. Federal and provincial government departments are funded through annual budgeting and appropriations processes, and provide in-kind support for management actions and the achievement of desired outcomes in Pimachiowin Aki (State Party of Canada, 2016).
Each of the Pimachiowin Aki First Nations employs staff (lands managers, coordinators, guardians) with responsibilities for land planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Pimachiowin Aki benefits from funds allocated by the Government of Canada to First Nations to fund staffing and programs for First Nation/Reserve lands. Provincial management agencies maintain 30 or more staff in each of two regional offices in Red Lake, Ontario, and Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba. The Pimachowin Aki Corporation employs an executive director and has a volunteer Board of Directors. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation received federal support for the site's monitoring program as part of a Guardians pilot project (Pimachowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Pimachiowin Aki First Nations are developing eco-cultural tourism programs and facilities that sustain the cultural landscape and boreal shield ecosystem through interpretation and cultural appreciation (Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
To date, most tourism in Pimachiowin Aki has occurred in Atikaki and Woodland Caribou provincial parks. Existing tourism facilities, outcamps, and trapping or wild rice cabins are permitted in the parks, but there are restrictions on new lodges and outcamps (State Party of Canada, 2016). The World Heritage Committee recommended to strengthen the overall management plan, and make it more proactive, including by developing action plans for specific aspects such as visitor management, to ensure it is sustainable in terms of the landscape and its spiritual associations, is under the control of the communities, and offers benefits to them (World Heritage Committee, 2018). Pimachiowin Aki First Nations are developing eco-cultural tourism options and a business plan that would help to sustain the cultural landscape and boreal shield ecosystem through interpretation and cultural appreciation (Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Beginning in 2018, the World Heritage site received funding from the Environment and Climate Change Canada Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program. A full-time Guardian is hired in each of the four Pimachiowin Aki First Nation communities. Elders and other knowledge-keepers are engaged in developing a broader set of indicators and metrics to provide a reliable statement on the condition of - and trends in - ecosystem health and the cultural landscape. Data and information provided by Guardians about the cultural landscape and ecosystem health are added to the Pimachiowin Aki database to monitor indicators of the site's state of conservation, to establish a baseline for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts locally, and to compare with developed areas of the boreal shield (Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Promotion and coordination of research, monitoring, and data management is one of the goals in the overall management plan. One of the proposed management actions in this area is: "Improving the collection, storage, and dissemination of data through the integration of inventories and condition assessments maintained by the partner agencies, and the development of agreements with researchers and information managers [...]" (State Party of Canada, 2016). Formal partnerships are being established at provincial and national levels to engage in research and monitoring for ecological and cultural values, including through participation in the National Indigenous Guardians Network; language, land use and place names research with academic institutions; and through data sharing agreements and exchanges (Pimachowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Highly Effective
The site’s buffer zone affords substantial additional protection against external influences and establishes excellent connectivity across what is the largest and most complete mosaic of ecosystems in the North American boreal shield. Population density in the buffer zone is low, at 0.23 people/km2, similar to that within the site (0.21 people/km2) (IUCN, 2018).
Good practice examples
The long-term efforts of the First Nations, working with provincial governments and the State Party, on the protection, management and nomination of this site have been recognized by UNESCO, IUCN and ICOMOS as exemplary. The governance and management arrangements for the site could serve as a model for other indigenous territories (IUCN, 2018; World Heritage Committee, 2018).
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Stable
Additional information
History and tradition,
Wilderness and iconic features,
Sacred natural sites or landscapes,
Sacred or symbolic plants or animals,
Cultural identity and sense of belonging
Pimachowin Aki maintains a landscape and a network of sites that are integral to Indigenous culture and livelihood, and enables the transmission of cultural knowledge, identity and relationship between the generations (Pimachowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Cultural knowledge and a deep historical baseline of ecological values promotes cultural resilience in the face of climate change.
Pimachowin Aki supports a wide range of economic benefits, from direct employment in the management and securement of the site by staff and Guardians, to future economic growth and diversification opportunities (Pimachowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Legal subsistence hunting of wild game,
Collection of wild plants and mushrooms,
Fishing areas and conservation of fish stocks
Pimachowin Aki maintains a large and intact landscape which supports Indigenous harvesting and livelihood activities and contributes to local food security and the cultural values of the site.
Outdoor recreation and tourism,
Natural beauty and scenery
As a large and intact landscape, Pimachowin Aki maintains both the natural and cultural features necessary to support Indigenous livelihoods, sustain tourism and outdoor recreation, and secure cultural knowledge of traditional medicines and healing on the land.
Importance for research,
Contribution to education
The cultural and natural values of Pimachowin Aki are important for the revitalization and preservation of Anishinaabemowin and Indigenous knowledge, beliefs and practices, and to ensure transmission of this heritage to future generations (Pimachowin Aki Corporation, 2019).
Carbon sequestration,
Soil stabilisation,
Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)
The Boreal Forest is one of the most important carbon storehouses on earth (Canadian Forest Service, 2013). Pimachowin Aki sequesters carbon in deep organic soils, peatlands and intact forests. There is more freshwater in the Canadian Boreal Forest than any other place on earth (Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008). Much of this is found in wetlands, which play a vital role in water filtration, flood and drought control.
Climate change may have significant future impacts on both carbon sequestration and wetland persistence.
Pimachowin Aki provides a range of global, national and local benefits. As a large and intact boreal forest landscape imbued with cultural value and significance, the site supports both healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Climate change is the major factor which may affect the provision of these benefits in the future.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pimachiowin Aki Corporation | Beginning in 2018, the site received funding from the Environment and Climate Change Canada Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program. A full-time Guardian is hired in each of the four Pimachiowin Aki First Nation communities. Data and information provided by Guardians about the cultural landscape and ecosystem health are added to the Pimachiowin Aki database to monitor indicators of the site's state of conservation, to establish a baseline for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts locally, and to compare with developed areas of the boreal shield. |
https://pimaki.ca
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Boreal Conservation (2019) [online] https://www.borealconservation.org/intact-forest. (Accessed 19 October 2019).
|
| 2 |
Ducks Unlimited Canada. (2008). Wetlands—Nature’s Water Filters. Ducks Unlimited Canada. [online] http://www.ducks.ca/resource/general/wetland/wetlands.htm. (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 3 |
ICOMOS. (2018). World Heritage Nomination – ICOMOS Technical Evaluation, Pimachiowin Aki (Canada). In: ICOMOS World Heritage Evaluations 2018, ICOMOS. Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List. WHC/17/42.COM/8B.11 [online] Paris, France: ICOMOS. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1415/documents/ (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 4 |
IUCN. (2018). World Heritage Nomination – IUCN Technical Evaluation, Pimachiowin Aki (Canada). In: IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2018, IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List. WHC/18/42.COM/8B.11. [online] Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1415/documents/ (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 5 |
Natural Resources Canada (2020). The Boreal Forest. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-fores…
|
| 6 |
Pimachiowin Aki Corporation. (2018). Annual Report 2018. [online] https://pimaki.ca/wp-content/uploads/Pim_Aki_Annual_Report_…. (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 7 |
Pimachiowin Aki Corporation. (2019). Annual Report 2019. [online]. https://pimaki.ca/wp-content/uploads/Pim_Aki_Annual_Report_…. (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 8 |
Pimachiowin Aki Corporation. (2019). Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site [online] Available at: https://pimaki.ca/ (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 9 |
Schindler, D.W., Hecky, R.E. and McCullough, G.K. (2012). The rapid eutrophication of Lake Winnipeg: Greening under global change. Journal of Great Lakes Research 38: 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2012.04.003.
|
| 10 |
State Party of Canada. (2016). Nomination of Pimachiowin Aki as a World Heritage Site. [online] Winnipeg, Canada: Pimachiowin Aki Corporation. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1415/documents/ (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 11 |
Wells, J. (2019). Indigenous leaders of Pimachiowin Aki Are a Beacon of Hope As World Heritage Designation Becomes Official. 2 July, National Geographic. [online] Available at: https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/07/02/indigenous-l… (Accessed 16 October 2019).
|
| 12 |
Wells, J.V., Reid, F., Darveau, M. and Childs, D. (2013) Ten Cool Canadian Biodiversity Hotspots: How a New Understanding of Biodiversity Underscores the Global Significance of Canada’s Boreal Forest. Boreal Songbird Initiative, Ducks Unlimited Inc., and Ducks Unlimited Canada, Seattle, Washington, Memphis, Tennessee, and Stonewall, Manitoba.
|
| 13 |
Whitman, E., Parisien, M., Thompson, D.K. and Flannigan, M.D. (2019). Short-interval wildfire and drought overwhelm boreal forest resilience. Sci Rep 9, 18796 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55036-7
|
| 14 |
World Heritage Committee. (2018). Decision 42 COM 8B.11. Pimachiowin Aki (Canada). [online] Paris, France: World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7124/ (Accessed on 5 September 2019).
|