The provincial government is being asked to support the creation of Indigenous Conserved and Protected Areas.

This is a federal initiative, but Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says the province isn’t on board yet.

“This government must not resist the efforts of indigenous people to protect these lands, because this government, one of the minister’s has been trying to block the I.C.P.A.’s,” Mamakwa told members at Queen’s Park earlier this week during Question Period.

Mamakwa says there are five Indigenous Conserved and Protected Areas in Ontario and two in his riding.

“Indigenous Conserved and Protected Areas are a necessary tool to protect the lands and the bio-diversity of the north.  But Ontario law does not recognize I.C.P.A.’s as a protected area.”

Grassy Narrows has one of the I.C.P.A.’s and the other one is the on the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation.