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Balancing conservation and economic development in Wemindji
Posted by Montreal Environment in Aboriginal, Biodiversity
One of the most important issues of today’s generation is whether our descendants will enjoy at least the same level of well-being as us. Reconciling present needs with those of generations to come is not an easy task, and more often seems to get diluted in a strange yet rehearsed political dance.
Some of these issues are now on the minds of many Cree, especially regarding Cree culture and traditional pursuits. The Cree Nation of Wemindji in the eastern James Bay region is taking an initiative that they hope will result in a balanced life, now, and in the future. Paakumshumwaau Protected Area (PA) project, in its forth year of development, is located south of the Wemindji community. The project is a cooperative endeavor between the Cree Nation of Wemindji and the McGill School of Environment and Concordia University.It envisions the creation of a “culturally-appropriate locally-managed” Protected Area that encompasses the watershed of the Paakumshumwaau or Old Factory River, one of the largest rivers not yet developed for hydro-electrical power, as well as coastal and offshore areas. The project was initiated as a response of the Wemindji community to increased pressures from resource extractive industries and encroaching of non-native hunters and visitors. Most important for the Wemindji community, the proposed PA will include the Old Factory Island where members used to live prior to the 1958 relocation. As with most Cree communities in Eeyou Istchee, the Wemindji Eenouch maintain very strong bonds with their prior home, celebrating their origins through yearly gatherings. Apart from being a significant ecological region the PA holds important cultural and historical significance for the community: burial sites, portages, campsites, and the Old Factory River are part and package of the Wemindji Eenouch identity and daily life.
The PA is unique as it tries to incorporate both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. As such, jurisdiction falls within both the federal and provincial governments with both local and regional interests thrown into the mix. For such a diverse and complicated project the process will be long and legal designation may not be actualized in the next decade.
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has provided information on relevant federal legislation and policy, notably on the development of a marine protected area along the Wemindji coastline. This information has also been taken into consideration in the ongoing negotiations between the GCC/CRA and the Federal government respecting the settlement of Cree offshore claims. If the Government of Québec decides to accept this proposal and to implement it, there will most likely be other opportunities for collaboration between Wemindji and the GCC/CRA.”, Mr. Alan Penn, Scientific advisor with the CRA Department of Environment.
As Eeyou Istchee is becoming the ‘new frontier’ for mineral development and Wemindji has already laid 89 claims in its territory this becomes an additional important component that still needs to be addressed. Already there are various active and pending mining claims within the PA and if designated it will encompass 30% to 40% of the Wemindji territory, mineral exploration excluded. Thus the community will now have to decide how to balance their economic development objectives with their conservation goals.
Chief Rodney Mark has been involved with the project since 2000 when the community started exploring the idea of conserving this historical trade route: “I feel very passionate about this. We wanted to take a balanced approach to protect the land in terms of family and community history. We are trying to tie in the idea of ecotourism and a cultural center. We have found artifacts that are 5000 years old. As far as mining is concerned, we have secured a moratorium on new claims within the PA area and will be consulting with the outside developers regarding the existing ones. Today is the General Assembly in our community and we will present a resolution to our members stating our commitment to pursue our original objectives.”
Given the weak Cree legal jurisdiction over Category III lands and increased pressure from the Municipality of James Bay, it is hoped that once the Protected Area receives formal recognition, Wemindji Eenouch will gain a higher degree of decision-making powers within this important cultural and ecological area.
Professor Colin Scott, the project director with the McGill School of Environment is more optimistic. Speaking in regard to the range of exclusive rights under the JBNQA, he states: “Throughout their traditional territory, whether we are considering Category I, II, or III lands, the Cree Nation of Wemindji is well-positioned to take a proactive and leading role in the development of protected areas. The fact that Wemindji is constructively negotiating mining development in other areas and cannot be dismissed as ‘anti-mining’ or ‘anti-development’ has probably helped the community to have its aspirations for protected area development taken seriously by the Quebec Government. This summer the Quebec Government imposed a moratorium on the registration of any new mining claims in the proposed biodiversity reserve, which is a positive step toward official designation.”
Why then, is concession for increased resource extraction the price to pay for conservation and local sustainability?
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