Photos and quotes from the Fisher Bay press conference

"We're asking the province to finish the job and create the Ochiwasahow (Fisher Bay) provincial park with the larger boundaries that we are requesting. There are a lot of economic opportunities that would come from establishing this park, not only for Fisher River, but also for surrounding communities."

Grand Chief Ron Evans - Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

"We're here to support Fisher River Cree Nation in their initiative to turn the area into a provincial park. There is so much support for it, it is beyond me why the province is so slow in working with Fisher River. It's been 10 years in the making, 10 years in the process, it's beyond me why it's taking so long."

Dr. Jon Gerrard - Manitoba Liberal Leader

"In my view, one of the things in Manitoba that we have to do is make Manitoba one of the premiere places in all of North America for eco-tourism. Establishing this provincial park as a jewel can be an important step in that. It is a unique area on the shores of Lake Winnipeg and it has a unique cultural and historic tradition, it has wonderful scenery and wildlife. It's time to move on this and get the job done. Let's make it a provincial park."

"It's time to take action on this, people have been waiting for 10 years. We're blessed to have some of the largest tracks of unbroken boreal forest in the world and we need to get serious about protecting it."

"Manitobans know how fortunate we are to have one of the most important ecological and cultural treasures in the province, just two hours from Winnipeg. It would be a crime if the province misses this opportunity to permanently protect the Fisher Bay region."