The First Nation community has designated their traditional lands as a protected area with the support of Manitoba's government.

The river is a part of a proposed United Nations World Heritage Site to protect the large intact area of wilderness along Lake Winnipeg and in northwestern Ontario.

Numerous archaeological sites and pictographs exist, helping to demonstrate that the area has long been of special significance to First Nations.

The area has woodland caribou, wolves, black bears, lynx, bobcats, and remote beaches.

Many species of birds nest in the region, including the bald eagle and the great grey owl.