Historic Agreement Signed for the Future of Nunatsiavut’s Land, Waters, and Ice

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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 sustain the Inuit people for generations to come.

This initiative underscores the importance of Inuit stewardship and the integration of Inuit Knowledge into conservation planning. It aligns with the Nunatsiavut Government’s Imappivut Marine Plan, which aims to protect both the marine environment and the cultural, economic, and spiritual values of the Inuit. By recognizing and respecting Inuit stewardship, the new protected area will support Inuit rights, interests, and priorities while contributing to Canada’s broader conservation goals.

The MOU also emphasizes the shared commitment to advancing reconciliation and fulfilling treaty rights through renewed nation-to-nation and government-to-government relationships. Inuit Knowledge, alongside scientific expertise, will guide the negotiations as the Nunatsiavut Government, Makivvik, and Parks Canada, supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, work to finalize the boundaries, co-management structure, and continue consultations with rights holders, partners, stakeholders, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the broader community.

If established, this new Inuit Protected Area will contribute up to 0.29% of Canada’s ambitious target to protect 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030—an area nearly three times the size of Prince Edward Island. This step not only reflects a commitment to conservation but also supports the resilience and prosperity of Inuit communities for future generations.