“Our Canoe” project unites First Nations and MRCs for biodiversity
Mélissa Gélinas
Local Journalism Initiative
Published online July 16, 2025, at www.pontiacjournal.com
OUTAOUAIS – The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community has launched the Kidjīmāninān (“Our Canoe”) project, inspired by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15).
By 2030, the project aims to achieve three of the agreement’s 23 priority targets, while also meeting new requirements set out in the Government Land-Use Planning Guidelines (OGAT). The three main objectives are to prevent the near-total loss of biodiversity-rich areas, protect 30% of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems.
The Outaouais is one of Quebec’s most biodiverse regions, home to over 113 plant species, 92 animal species, and 22 species of bryophytes (mosses) and lichens. Yet only 10.2% of the region’s territory is currently protected.
“We’ve spent nearly 20 years building expertise in protecting endangered species, and we wanted to take on a larger regional leadership role in conservation on our traditional territory,” explains Érik Higgins, manager of the Kitigan Zibi Natural Resources and Wildlife Office.
To incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, teams of land guardians will be deployed to conduct field studies and collaborate with biologists and botanists.
Each participating MRC will receive $82,500 in federal funding. “All MRCs in Gatineau and the Outaouais, except Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, have agreed to join the initiative,” says Higgins. “This is new for us. Until now, we’ve focused mostly on Kitigan Zibi. Now, we’ll need to build new relationships with partners—and I believe we’ll be stronger together.”
According to Kari Richardson, Environment Manager for the MRC Pontiac, the funding will support research projects aimed at producing a regional profile that includes an assessment of species, natural areas, and culturally significant conservation sites.
To make this happen, collaboration will be needed from municipal governments, landowners, and local stakeholders. Richardson notes that landowners with properties deemed to have conservation value will be invited to allow the Coopérative de solidarité des Forêts et des Gens, a non-profit organization, to carry out ecological inventories. These studies will help formulate recommendations to preserve key elements of the Outaouais’s natural heritage. Public consultations are expected to take place in 2026. “We hope this model of collaboration between First Nations and MRCs will strengthen our partnerships and encourage other projects in the future,” she adds.
Higgins also emphasized the importance of engaging citizens and raising awareness about biodiversity issues and the importance of protecting nature.
Throughout the summer, the Kitigan Zibi Natural Resources and Wildlife Office, in collaboration with Tourisme Outaouais and other partners, will host a tour of interactive information booths across the region. These booths will appear at markets, festivals, and other public events, including the Shawville Fair on August 30.
“It will be a great opportunity to share our project with the public,” says Higgins.