Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - March 5 2025 - Northern Manitoba's Seal River watershed is one step closer to becoming a protected area, according to a commission examining the feasibility of turning the land into a national park reserve and an Indigenous protected and conserved area.

The Seal River Watershed Alliance, representing four local First Nation bands, aims to maintain the land's pristine nature while governments exploit mineral resources in the north.

Mineral exploration has taken place in the watershed in the past, but it has been limited by high costs due to its remoteness.

The province has 30 out of 34 minerals on Canada's critical minerals list, with 45 companies actively exploring for 19 of them.

The assessment is just a first step, with more consultations and negotiations with the federal and provincial governments to follow.