QUOTE: Call it second-time lucky. A bid to see a huge chunk of land on the east side of the province designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site got moved a tiny bit closer to fruition today. A new application by five First Nations in the area to get Pimachiowin Aki recognized for its natural and cultural value for indigenous people is to be delivered by hand to UNESCO headquarters by Jan. 30. The rejigged submission was announced today by officials from Pimachiowin Aki and Premier Greg Selinger. Both the Manitoba and Ontario governments support the project. The cost to put together the new nomination was about $320,000. It suffered a setback more than a year ago when UNESCOs world heritage committee deferred its decision on Pimachiowin Aki’s original bid. The committee said then it was unclear whether the area is unique and requested more information from its proponents. UNESCO said it wanted more information on the cultural value the 33,400-square-kilometre area has to First Nations people. I can you honestly that we were surprised two years ago when UNESCO deferred their decision and told us that they needed more information, Pimachiowin Aki board member William Young said. But I can tell you our second bid we have for our nomination is far off better and that’s because we have brought in more people to prepare this bid for our nomination. Pimachiowin Aki’s new, 260-page submission says that the area is not only a natural wonder, but vital to aboriginal culture. Of the 1,007 World Heritage Sites, only three per cent carry the dual designation of being both a natural and cultural heritage site. Pimachiowin Aki would be the first of its kind in Canada. If I was to describe how this bid for our nomination is different I would say that it includes even more detail the relationship the Ahnisnabae people have with this land and how unique it is, Young said. The project is a joint effort between the Poplar River, Pikangikum, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Bloodvein River First Nations. Lobbying for the designation started in 2004. Its hoped it will lead to a rise in ecotourism for the area. Selinger said about $8 million has been spent so far in support of the bid. This is for a project that has outstanding universal value and will contribute to the protect cultural and natural boreal landscapes unique in the world, Selinger said. It’s an investment for all time for all citizens of the world and in particular, an investment in our partners, the First Nations on the east side, that are looking after the land and have for generations. The nomination will be posted at pimachiowinaki.org in early March after the World Heritage Centre confirms it has been accepted. The new nomination will be considered in June 2016 at the next meeting of the World Heritage Committee.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 20:17:57 +0000
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