Two Ganeda Wilp — Wilp Watakhayetsxw and Gamlakyeltxw — announced their intent to the provincial government in November 2024 to protect approximately 8,800 hectares within the Gitanyow Lax’yip as the Ganeda Indigenous Protected Area.

The Wilp seek to protect and preserve the area’s ecological and cultural values amidst impacts from potential pipeline development, gas exploration in the Bowser Basin, more roads and climate impacts from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG terminal.

The Ganeda IPA is envisioned to ensure food security for current and future generations of Wilp members in the face of an ongoing climate crisis affecting ecosystems, fresh water availability and risk of catastrophic wildfire.

The Ganeda Wilp are seeking input from interested parties and governments on the draft management plan for the Indigenous Protected Area.

“We see this protected area as a place where we can prioritize a balance between economic development and long-term environmental sustainability, upholding the Gitanyow legal principle of Gwelx ye’enst.

“We’ll strive to protect the Ganeda Indigenous Protected Area from harmful resource development that prevents future generations from enjoying the area’s beauty, abundance, and health. We support restoration for those areas harmed by past development.”

– Simoogit Watakhayetsxw/Deborah Good