Essipit Innu First Nation and Nature Conservancy of Canada join forces to protect important heritage site on North Shore

Nestled between the Petites and Grandes Bergeronnes rivers, at the junction of fresh and salt water, Pointe Sauvage is home to biodiversity-rich wetlands and marshes

Essipit, QC (February 10, 2026) — The Council of the Innu First Nation of Essipit (CIFNE) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) are joining forces to protect Pointe Sauvage, traditionally known by the Innu name Atak’ Amegwas Kaneyàts, which means “White Fish Point.” This unique partnership is part of a shared commitment to protect the sensitive ecosystems of Pointe Sauvage, while respecting the traditions and rights of community members.

Located on the North Shore, in the municipality of Les Bergeronnes, this point, which juts out into the St. Lawrence River, is home to exceptional wetlands and remarkable biodiversity. Since 1998, NCC has acquired various private lots to protect more than 200 hectares here. In 2023, a formal agreement was signed with the CIFNE to develop a joint management plan combining traditional knowledge and scientific approaches.

“Historically, Pointe Sauvage was a major campsite for the Essipiunnuat, and today it is still a living territory for the practice of Innu-aitun (Innu culture). This partnership reflects our shared commitment to preserving this heritage site, which is so important to our community,” says Michael Ross, director of CIFNE’s Development and Territory sector.

“By combining the knowledge of the Essipiunnuat with NCC’s conservation expertise, we are developing an innovative approach that places Indigenous communities at the heart of decision making,” says Guillaume Proulx, project manager at the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Quebec. “This partnership is a concrete example of Indigenous conservation collaboration that demonstrates NCC’s commitment to Reconciliation with First Nations, building on Innu knowledge about Pointe Sauvage.”

About the Council of the Innu First Nation of Essipit

The Essipit community is in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. The Council of the Innu First Nation of Essipit (CIFNE) is the political body representing the members of the Essipit Innu First Nation, known as the Essipiunnuat. The CIFNE is dedicated to the protection and development of its ancestral territory, Nitassinan, while advancing the interests of its community through partnerships. Essipit is the innuaimun word for “river of shells.”

About the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has brought people together to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. As an environmental charity working hand in hand with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses, we deliver nature-based solutions at a scale no one else can. Our conservation work safeguards clean air and water, stores carbon and reduces the risks of floods and wildfires — protecting our health, strengthening local economies and building more resilient communities. Together, we unlock nature’s power, so life can thrive. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca.

Contact

Karla Mendoza
Communications Advisor
Council of the Innu First Nation of Essipit
418-233-2509, ext. 419
karla.mendoza@essipit.com
medias@essipit.com

Nature Conservancy of Canada
E: media@natureconservancy.ca