The Conservancy is an Ontario non-profit corporation, with membership open to year-round and seasonal property owners in Minaki and their families. Its mission statement, corporate purpose, and operating principles follow, along with a list of its volunteer directors and officers.
Mission Statement
The mission of The Minaki Conservancy is to sustain and enhance the extraordinary natural environment and special community heritage of Minaki for the benefit of all owners and visitors, now and in the future.
To meet its mission, the Conservancy promotes these operating principles:
Minaki is a fragile place in Northwestern Ontario, in unorganized territory, and consistent consultation and cooperation among year-round residents of the town, the Wabaseemoong and Niisaachewan Anishinaabe First Nations, and seasonal residents will be necessary to meet challenges and to accomplish positive goals
the Conservancy will build relationships with other entities in town and in the region, support them and be supported by them, and avoid duplication
entities in town include the Local Services Board, the Minaki Community Association, the Minaki Foundation, the Minaki Roads Board, the Minaki Waste Management Board, and the Minaki United Fire Fighters
entities in the region include the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association, the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
change and development will occur, but that change and development can and should happen in a sustainable manner that respects and protects Minaki’s natural environment and community heritage
the Conservancy welcomes new owners and visitors to this special place
Corporate Purpose
The purpose of The Minaki Conservancy is set out in its organizing documents:
The corporation’s purpose is to sustain and enhance Minaki’s natural environment and community heritage. It will inform, educate, and where necessary, advocate.
As used in this purpose, “natural environment” has these components:
water in the Winnipeg River system
boreal forest
plants and animals, with a focus on the Winnipeg River fishery
pristine landscape
clean air
quiet
And “community heritage” has these components:
wilderness character
importance of tourism
indigenous culture
long history
shared appreciation of these special values across stakeholders
Governance
A board of directors and several officers, all elected by the members, govern the Conservancy’s affairs.
Directors and Officers
The current directors and officers of The Minaki Conservancy are:
Don Engebretson, President
Laughlin, Nevada
Janice Lyon, Treasurer
Lockport, Manitoba
Peter Toni, Secretary
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Caroline Josephson Winnipeg, MB
Karen Eastwood Winnipeg, MB
Jane Howe Winnipeg, MB
David Young Vancouver, BC
Jason Abbott Winnipeg, MB
This purpose includes, by way of illustration, these topics:
water quality
logging planning and monitoring
invasive species
fire prevention
environmentally responsible cottage ownership
safe and responsible recreation
sensible pace of growth
personal safety and response
community history, including the history of indigenous peoples
Primary Initiatives
Since the fall of 2010, the Conservancy has devoted a significant amount of time and resources to concerns about the severe negative impacts on the Minaki area and its environment from proposals by Manitoba developers Bob Banman and Bob Schinkel to redevelop the Minaki Lodge site for seasonal residential use with condominiums or trailers at extreme densities. A group led by Doug and Glen Gratton, Winnipeg businessmen and permanent residents of Minaki, acquired the still-undeveloped site in March 2021, and announced a plan for residential use based primarily on single-family dwellings on separate lots and at a much lower density. Click here for more information.
In addition, The Conservancy has since its inception participated in the formulation and implementation of provincial timbering plans, working cooperatively with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and private timber companies to steer the location and practices of logging proposals away from sensitive places and times on the Minaki area. Click here for more information.
Looking forward, the Conservancy expects to devote significant effort to raising awareness of the increasing damage to the Winnipeg River caused by the invasive aquatic plant known as Flowering Rush, and promoting and organizing private and public efforts to combat it. Click here for more information.