Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says she supports a greater role for First Nations in creating new protected areas and managing the ones Canada already has.
Speaking at a parks conference in Banff, Alta., McKenna said indigenous protected areas will be one way Canada meets its international goal of conserving 17 per cent of its land by 2020.
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Such areas would be identified and managed by local bands and have legislated legal status.
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McKenna also said she supports expanding a program that uses First Nations to monitor and protect parks as well as guide visitors.
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Both initiatives have strong support from indigenous people and were among recommendations in a report recently delivered to the government from its adviser on Arctic issues.
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