Protecting Canada’s natural landscapes and freshwater ecosystems is vital to addressing biodiversity loss, fighting climate change, and building resilience. Indigenous Peoples, as stewards of these lands since time immemorial, bring invaluable experience and Indigenous knowledge essential to safeguarding our land, water, and ice for generations to come.

Today, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, announced $747,000 in funding on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. This investment supports Indigenous-led conservation for species at risk and their habitat, as well as improving the health of the Great Lakes and St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie. These investments include:

• $71,590 to Garden River First Nation through the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (formerly known as Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk), for the Ketegaunseebee Species at Risk Indigenous Knowledge Study, which involved habitat assessments and a management plan to protect species at risk on reserve lands near Sault Ste. Marie.
• $39,636 to Missanabie Cree First Nation through the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk for the Monitoring and Recovery of Little Brown Bat and Northern Long Eared Bat project, which monitored and supported the recovery of these at-risk species in northern Ontario’s boreal forests.
• $50,000 to Garden River First Nation through Indigenous Guardians funding under the Enhanced Nature Legacy – Indigenous Conservation for the Ketegaunseebee Guardian Initiative Project 2022. This project employed community members to protect culturally significant areas, develop patrol routes, and advance environmental stewardship initiatives.
• $120,000 to Northern Ontario Research Development at Algoma University through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative for Community-Based Monitoring in the Northern Great Lakes, a citizen science project that tracks water quality in Lake Superior and northern Lake Huron to ensure safer and cleaner water.
• $75,000 to Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways under the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative for Marys River Area of Concern Engagement and Whitefish Island Fish Habitat Improvement, supporting restoration, remediation and sediment management in the St. Marys River.
• $90,000 to Algoma University under the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative to coordinate local efforts and community engagement for the Remedial Action Plan for the St. Marys River, targeting environmental issues impacting fish and wildlife.
• $301,400 to Garden River First Nation, for the Ketegaunseebee Aki Guardians. This two-year project focuses on protecting the St. Marys River through capacity-building, invasive species management, and ongoing environmental monitoring.

These projects underscore Canada’s commitment to environmental protection and collaboration with Indigenous communities, and higher education like Algoma University. By restoring habitats, safeguarding species, and ensuring clean waterways, Canada is advancing toward its goals of protecting 30 per cent of its lands and waters by 2030 and safeguarding our shared environment for future generations.

QUOTES

“Our government’s investment in Sault Ste. Marie is built on partnership with local leaders like Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation Missanabie Cree First Nation, and Algoma University to preserve and restore our environment. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier environment for future generations here in Sault Ste. Marie and across Canada.”

– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

"Garden River First Nation is thrilled to embark on this exciting remedial project to protect the St. Mary's River which has historically been an integral and continues to remain an essential and inherent waterway for the members of this nation. With this funding so much can be done to ensure that species and their habitat be studied and documented. We can employ members to conduct this work, who will have knowledge of the cultural area, who will take the steward role respecting the environment and people of Garden River First Nation with a vested interest.

“This two year project will augment the time required to focus on the protection on the St. Mary's River and allow collaboration with the other proponents toward a common goal relating to this important freshwater linking Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron."

– Karen Bell, Chief of Garden River First Nation

As stewards of the land and waters, our communities have long been at the forefront of protecting the environment. This federal investment acknowledges the importance of our traditional knowledge and leadership in restoring the health of our freshwater resources. We are proud to partner with the Government of Canada to protect the St. Marys River and ensure that it continues to sustain our people and future generations. The funding will help strengthen inter-agency collaboration, between the surrounding communities along the St. Mary’s River and implement actions that restore the river’s ecological health.

– Mark McCoy, Chief of Batchewana First Nation

"The Canada Water Agency's support enables NORDIK Institute and our project partners to co-develop the first freshwater stewardship strategies focused on the contexts of northern Great Lakes communities.  Community-led water monitoring allows us to be proactive in protecting the water for the next seven generations, through community capacity building, data collection, coordinated data stewardship and reporting, and direct action in response to the data.  As part of this project, we are also working to generate direct pathways for northern community voices to reach regional and national decision-makers.   By collaborating with Indigenous and Canadian communities in the regions of Lake Huron and Lake Superior, we are strengthening the relationships between people and the water. Water is the heart of society - it is life."

-- Dr. Elaine Ho-Tassone, Director of Operations, NORDIK Institute

“Remedial Action Plans use a systematic and comprehensive ecosystem approach to restore environmental conditions in the Great Lakes. This funding provides support for continued coordination and allows us to identify and facilitate remedial actions for the St. Marys River. This includes supporting inter-agency collaboration, facilitating communication and binational cooperation, and engaging in public outreach activities to promote involvement in the restoration of the St. Marys River.”

– Lisa Derickx, St. Marys River Remedial Action Plan Coordinator, Algoma University