Friday, November 29, 2024 For millennia, the Labrador Inuit have served as guardians of the lands, waters, and ice of Nunatsiavut. Today, a pivotal milestone in conservation and reconciliation was achieved as Johannes Lampe, President of Nunatsiavut, Pita Aatami, President of Makivvik, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks the beginning of negotiations to establish a new Inuit Protected Area and national marine conservation area in northern Labrador, following the successful completion of a feasibility study in March 2024.
The proposed Inuit Protected Area/national marine conservation area will be located in the Labrador Sea, adjacent to Torngat Mountains National Park. This area, a vital transition zone between Arctic and Atlantic ecosystems, is home to diverse wildlife, including polar bears, whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, waterfowl, and numerous fish species. Its stunning landscapes range from fjords to expansive beaches and mudflats.
For the Inuit of Labrador and Nunavik, this region is not only ecologically significant but also culturally and spiritually important, serving as a deep connection to the land and sea. If established, the protected area will span up to 17,000 square kilometres, safeguarding the coastal and marine waters of Nunatsiavut and ensuring a thriving marine ecosystem that will sust.
