Hope for a sustainable future

Hope for a sustainable future offered in a precious natural area

Fisher Bay and surrounding lands provide a sanctuary for wildlife and tremendous opportunity for a sustainable local tourism economy. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Wilderness Committee have joined Fisher River Cree Nation in their quest to establish a provincial park that would protect this area from industrial developments such as logging and mining.
Photo by Eric Reder

Just a couple hours north of Winnipeg lies the Fisher Bay area, on the southwest basin of Lake Winnipeg. The lands and waters that make up Fisher Bay are a wonderfully wild place — a boreal region of largely undisturbed mature forests and sandy shorelines lining numerous inlets and islands. This land is home to wildlife such as wolves and moose, foxes and bears, and a huge variety of songbirds. Shallow beaches and rocky reefs can be found throughout the waters of the Bay, providing habitat for a myriad of fishes and birds, many of which are endangered.

Every shoreline provides glimpses of the thriving biological diversity Fisher Bay offers. Fresh tracks are left upon the beach daily by wild animals passing in and out of the woods. Shorebirds and waterbirds continually wing by, traveling from nesting colonies to feeding grounds. Deeper in the forest, bright patches of sunlight in small clearings among the tall trees afford aspen and birch saplings a chance to grow. In the shade of the dense old-growth spruce and pine stands the plant life is more subdued, with mushrooms and mosses reclaiming fallen old trees, and young evergreens slowly reaching towards the canopy.

Wolf by Ron Thiessen

Island reflection by Eric Reder

Shelf fungus by Ron Thiessen

Boreal forest regions such as the Fisher Bay area are part of the essential life support system our planet requires, providing us with clean air, fresh water and climate mitigation. It is widely accepted that preserving a large portion of the remaining boreal forests is necessary for the future wellbeing of our planet. The increasingly rare occurrence of wildlife thriving in intact wilderness is another reason why the Fisher Bay area should be preserved.

For centuries, local Aboriginal people have utilized Fisher Bay’s resources while maintaining its well-being through caring stewardship. The area has been home to the Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) for many generations. The FRCN has a vision of a sustainable local economy that relies upon maintaining the awe-inspiring natural region known as Ochiwasahow. Ochiwasahow (pronounced O - Chee - wass - ah - how) is Cree for Fisher Bay. The FRCN is working hard on conserving the area for traditional activities and developing its eco- and cultural tourism potential. Securing the area through Manitoba protected areas legislation will ensure all treaty rights are upheld while prohibiting encroaching industrial developments. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the Wilderness Committee have joined the FRCN on their quest to establish permanent protection for this magnificent natural treasure.

By permanently protecting the Fisher Bay region according to the best combination of ecological and cultural considerations, the Manitoba government can demonstrate their commitment to world-class conservation. FRCN’s journey to establish the Ochiwasahow provincial park has tremendous potential to create community-driven sustainable economies made possible by maintaining a healthy environment.

The journey

The journey: Fisher River Cree Nation’s
pursuit of a sustainable future

In 1999, the FRCN embarked on a journey to permanently preserve the magnificent lands and waters of Fisher Bay. Protection of the environment is part of the FRCN’s initiative to produce a sustainable local economy. The FRCN has already begun implementing their plans to become a hotspot for eco and cultural tourism.

Mushrooms by Eric Reder.

Through the FRCN efforts, the Fisher Bay park reserve was born. The park reserve is presently protected from industrial developments while the Manitoba government conducts community consultations, and seeks input from stakeholders and the public. Initially the FRCN proposed a much larger protected area than the current legislated park reserve, however the provincial government decided upon the present size after subsequent discussions with industry, and without further dialogue with the FRCN or input from the public.

White spruce tree trunks by Eric Reder.

In 2006, the FRCN and CPAWS commissioned the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources to produce an Ecological
Significance Study of Fisher Bay and the surrounding lands. As a result of analyzing the study and identifying cultural interests of the FRCN, new boundaries for the park reserve are being proposed based on the best mix of ecological and cultural considerations. FRCN is also proposing the name be changed to Ochiwasahow park reserve, which is Cree for “Fisher Bay”.

CPAWS is helping the FRCN by assisting with relations (government, industry, public, and media) as well as offering services such as mapping, research, and photography. The Wilderness Committee is presently supporting the FRCN’s request for protection through public education and mobilization, publishing, mapping, and photography.

The Fisher River Cree Nation is at the forefront of a growing movement of First Nations who are leading the way in protection and management of their traditional lands and waters. Permanent protection through creating the Ochiwasahow (Fisher Bay) provincial park will conserve the area’s spectacular cultural and natural values while providing opportunity for healthy community-driven economic growth.

The wondrous boreal region

nature: the wondrous boreal region

Fisher Bay aerial by Ron Thiessen.

Fisher Bay and the lands that surround it are part of the treasured boreal forest ecosystem. Manitobans and people abroad are continually inspired by the fundamental value of the boreal forest’s mosaic of interconnected wildlands—a myriad of spruce, pine, aspen and birch trees growing in harmony with pure rivers, lakes and wetlands. Every Manitoban relies on the boreal for a home, a career, or basic necessities such as fresh water, climate regulation, oxygen and food.

Marsh skullcap by Eric Reder.

The campaign by scientists, conservation organizations, and the public to protect Canada’s boreal forests is quickly growing, and for good reason. The boreal region is the world’s greatest source of fresh water. Thousands of lakes, rivers and streams offer a supply of precious water that is naturally purifi ed as it passes through the many marshes and wetlands. Dubbed the “northern lungs of the planet”, the vegetation filters our air and transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen. As the largest single land storehouse of carbon, it also plays an important role in regulating the global climate. Given that 25% of the Earth’s remaining intact forests are in Canada, we have a huge responsibility to ensure big wild places continue to fl ourish as an essential part of the Earth’s life support system. An urgent push for protection of wild boreal areas is critical for our future.

Proposed Provincial Park

Proposed Provincial Park

Click on map for detail

Fisher River Cree Nation is proposing an expansion of the area being considered a provincial park based on analysis of cultural interests and the Fisher Bay Ecological Significance Study

Downloads

Fisher Bay park reserve - Areas of Ecological Significance Study

CIER Fisher Bay Ecological Significance Report June 06.pdf 13.2 MB

Ecological Significance Map

Appendix L_ map of ecological significance vfinal.pdf 291.53 KB

Boundary-determination-report-Rod-Lastra.pdf

Boundary-determination-report-Rod-Lastra.pdf 352.85 KB

Wildlife needs wilderness

nature:Wildlife needs wilderness

Canadian moose by Ron Thiessen.

The federal government’s Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has identified over 500 species at risk across our nation. The majority of these species are in trouble because their habitat is disappearing. To ensure our precious wildlife thrives in the future, we must protect big wild places like the Fisher Bay region.

The Manitoba Conservation Data Center (CDC) lists sightings of the highly endangered piping plover within the Fisher Bay area. The Fisher Bay park reserve’s many seldom-used sandy beaches offer a sanctuary for these petite shorebirds to lay their eggs. As Manitoba beaches are increasingly overrun with human activity, it is critical that our provincial government take immediate action to ensure sufficient habitat is available for this endangered species.

Little brown bats find a cozy home in the cracked limestone located in FRCN’s proposed provincial park. In Manitoba, CDC lists little brown bats as vulnerable to extirpation (extinct in the province). The CDC also reports three rare fish species that swim the waters of Fisher Bay: shortjaw cisco, chestnut lamprey, and silver chub. Wolves, moose, bears, foxes, birds, and many other boreal species find everything they require within FRCN’s proposed boundaries for the Fisher Bay protected area. Without habitat protection, we may lose these species in Fisher Bay.

Least bittern by Jim Flynn.

As Manitobans, we have the responsibility and the right to secure a future for our wildlife by conserving our incredible boreal ecosystems. We must make sure our elected officials know how we feel about permanently protected provincial park as proposed by Fisher River Cree Nation.

culture and community

culture and community:
a safe, healthy, and respected environment for all

Community celebration by the FRCN

The FRCN’s vision is to achieve a community in which history, language, traditions, and culture are paramount. Attachment to the natural world is an integral part of many First Nations communities, and the Fisher River Cree Nation is working hard to ensure that Fisher Bay and the surrounding land remains in its natural state. It is their aspiration that protecting the area will help to provide a safe, healthy and respected environment for all people.

Logging and mining companies are presently exploring the natural resources of the Fisher Bay park reserve and neighboring areas. Because logging, mining, and associated roads remove habitat and fragment the landscape, these uses are not compatible with the Fisher River Cree Nation’s protected area vision.

Maintaining all treaty rights is essential for a strong Fisher River Cree Nation community. New protected areas in Manitoba uphold all treaty rights, which makes permanent legislated protection of Fisher Bay and the surrounding lands a logical and benefi cial step for the FRCN.

Fishing by Eric Reder.

The FRCN has done comprehensive studies and planning dedicated to diversifying their local economy through sustainable ventures such as cultural tourism and ecotourism within the park reserve. Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and requires large and healthy natural areas like the Fisher Bay region.

The FRCN has already developed the magnificent Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitor Center to welcome guests who wish to share the treasures of the community and surrounding area. Guided services, accommodations, and community events are just a few of the many economic avenues Fisher River can build on to attract visitors—the possibilities are endless!

Please visit our website to learn more about the Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitor Center and read a personal invitation from Fisher River Cree Nation.

immediate action needed

immediate action needed:
to save wilderness paradise

Photo by Eric Reder.

Decisions about the future of Fisher Bay and its surrounding landscape will soon be made by the Manitoba government. Will the area remain in its state of natural beauty, supporting local communities, providing for traditional activities and emerging eco- and cultural tourism opportunities? Or will it be irreversibly disturbed by logging, mining, and roads?

The Wilderness Committee and CPAWS commend the Fisher River Cree Nation for embracing a healthy future by pursuing community-driven, sustainable economic ventures that are in harmony with nature.

Intensive human developments continue to break into the few remaining intact wilderness areas. We are at a critical time in Manitoba’s history—we must act now to protect our wild spaces before they are gone forever. Does the Manitoba government understand that protected natural areas are necessary to build a strong future? Swift action by our provincial government to grant the Fisher River Cree Nation’s provincial park request will give us confidence that they do.

Now is the time for all Manitobans to express their opinion to our elected officials about the future of the spectacular lands and waters of Fisher Bay. Please use the information below to take personal action.

Healthy intact forests ... or industrial logging?

Manitoba's park reserves

Manitoba's park reserves

Piping plover by Gordon Court.

The park reserve process was designed by the Manitoba government and sets out to determine a land use designation for a selected area. Through this process the provincial government is required to conduct consultations with all affected First Nations as well as attain input from the public and industry stakeholders. There are currently 13 park reserves in Manitoba, all of which are temporarily protected from industrial activity for a set period of time.
The Fisher Bay park reserve began a second period of interim protection in 2005, preserving this beautiful wilderness until 2010. However, the proposed additions to the area for consideration in designating an Ochiwasahow (Fisher Bay) provincial park are presently not protected from industrial developments.

Manitoba’s government has been slow to deal with protected areas and park reserves, putting few resources towards preserving more natural areas. Of all the park reserves nominated by First Nations, none have yet been granted permanent protection. The Manitoba government’s Protected Area Initiative program currently has 168 areas listed for
possible preservation, but little work is being done towards permanent protection.

We must all express our opinions to government, letting them know we feel about committing substantial resources
towards protecting wild spaces and natural areas, so that we might build a healthy future for the next generations of Manitobans.

ACT NOW

ACT NOW
to preserve the lands and waters of Fisher Bay for future generations

Let these decision makers know how you feel about a fully protected Ochiwasahow (Fisher Bay) provincial park with FRCN’s new boundaries, and leading Manitoba forward to a healthy future for all people.

ACT NOW to preserve the lands and waters of Fisher Bay for future generations

Credits

Credits

Wolf tracks by Eric Reder.

Research and Writing: Ron Thiessen

Editing: Eric Reder

Design and Layout: Eric Reder

Mapping: Geoff Senichenko

Web Publishing 2007: Gil Aguilar, Anton van Walraven

Western Canada Wilderness Committee Vol. 26 No. 4 Spring 2007. Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement
0900567. Posted in Vancouver. For free distribution.

Printed in Canada on recycled newsprint with vegetable-based inks. Press run 25,000. © Wilderness Committee 2007.
All rights reserved. Written material may be used when credit is given.

Updated for the web on September 2, 2009

We gratefully acknowledge Mountain Equipment Co-op for making this publication possible.

mec.ca/sustainability

Published by

Fisher River Cree Nation

Box 367 Koostatak, MB R0C 1S0

phone: (204) 645–2171

www.fisherriver.com

CPAWS — Manitoba Chapter

3rd fl oor – 303 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2B 2B4

phone: (204) 949–0782

www.cpawsmb.org