Woodland Cree First Nation has announced a partnership to develop the Mihta Askiy AI Data Centre, an Indigenous majority-owned project that has the potential to create employment, strengthen our economy, and generate long-term benefits for our Nation.

As a nation member, I am proud to see Indigenous leadership at the forefront of economic development. This project represents an opportunity to create prosperity for future generations while demonstrating what Indigenous-led development can achieve. However, with opportunities of this scale also comes responsibility. The proposed project is located within the Peace River region, an area rich in forests, wetlands, wildlife, and waterways that have sustained Woodland Cree people since time immemorial. The Peace River watershed is vital to our environment, our culture, and our traditional way of life. It supports fish, wildlife, clean water, and the hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering practices that remain central to many families today.

I believe this project has the opportunity to become a national example of how economic development and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand. This petition is not intended to oppose development. Instead, it is a respectful request that this project be built and operated with the strongest environmental protections possible so that our lands remain healthy for generations to come.

I am respectfully requesting the following commitments:

1. Establish a Woodland Cree Community Environmental Stewardship Committee

Create an independent committee made up of:

Woodland Cree Elders
Knowledge Keepers
Community members
Local land users
Youth representatives
Environmental professionals

This committee would receive environmental updates, review monitoring data, provide recommendations, and ensure community voices remain involved throughout the project.

2. Protect the Peace River Watershed
Implement continuous monitoring of:

Peace River water quality
Groundwater
Nearby lakes and wetlands
Local creeks and streams
Monitoring should occur before construction, during construction, and throughout operation.

3. Public Environmental Transparency

Publish easy-to-understand reports that include:

Water quality
Air quality
Wildlife monitoring
Greenhouse gas emissions
Environmental incidents (if any)
Corrective actions taken
Reports should be available to every community member.

4. Protect Wildlife and Traditional Lands

Develop plans to minimize impacts on:

Moose
Elk
Deer
Bears
Wolves
Birds
Fish
Wetlands
Forest habitat

Protect areas used for:

Hunting
Fishing
Trapping
Gathering medicines
Cultural activities

5.Annual Independent Environmental Audits

Have environmental performance reviewed by qualified independent experts and share the results publicly.

6.Ongoing Community Engagement

Hold regular community meetings where members can:

Receive project updates

Ask questions
Raise concerns
Review environmental results
Offer recommendations

The decisions we make today will shape the future of our lands for generations to come. Whether you live in Woodland Cree Nation, the Peace River region, or simply care about protecting our environment, your voice matters. Please sign and share this petition so we can advocate for strong environmental safeguards together.