Located at the heart of Canada’s boreal forest, Pimachiowin Aki is one of the world’s most diverse landscapes, and a place that provides exceptional testimony to an ancient culture that thrives today.
This 29,040 km2 protected area is Canada’s first mixed World Heritage Site, recognized for both cultural and natural values. Pimachiowin Aki is a manifestation of an indigenous culture so connected to the natural environment, as to be indistinguishable from it.
Pimachiowin Aki is a remote wilderness area. Travel requires skill and patience in navigation, boating, canoeing, portaging, and camping.
HISTORY: Step into Canada’s first – and North America’s largest – mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site, a 29,040 km2 protected area encompassing both natural beauty and Indigenous culture. Pimachiowin Aki, “The Land That Gives Life,” forms part of the ancestral home of the Anishinaabeg, and is recognized as being an exceptional example of the cultural tradition of Ji-ganawendamang Gidakiiminaan, “keeping the land.” A network of habitation sites, travel routes and trap lines within the natural landscape reflect this ancient and continuing tradition going back over 7,000 years.
VISIT: Pimachiowin Aki is a remote area requiring canoeing, portaging and camping. Nearly the size of Belgium, the region contains 3,200 lakes, 5,000 marshes and 32,000 km of shoreline wetlands to explore. Contact Travel Manitoba or Ontario Parks to learn more about visiting.