Media Centre

Press Releases

2004

Grassy Narrows ecosystem stewardship program gets $50,000 boost

December 15, 2004 - Thunder Bay

The Grassy Narrows First Nation community and the Canadian Boreal Initiative today announced an agreement to support the development of a community vision for stewardship of the land and waters of the Traditional Use Area (TUA) of the Grassy Narrows people.

Chief Simon Fobister emphasized that "the Grassy Narrows community does not want to be a passive participant in the planning of land use activities in our homeland".

"We are pleased to be working with Grassy Narrows as the community embarks on defining their vision and priorities for the use of their traditional lands," said Cathy Wilkinson, Director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative. "This important planning work will assist Grassy Narrows to bring forward community interests in current and future land use discussions."

Key outcomes under the Culture and Ecosystem based Planning process will include:

• Development of a culture and ecosystem based plan that protects and restores the ecosystems of the Grassy Narrows TUA and the Community's Anishinaabe culture that depends upon these ecosystems, including addressing the development of a community-based economy;
• Development of a community vision for use of the land and waters of their TUA, including values, strengths, goals and objectives of the community in regards to environmental protection, land use and natural resource management in the Grassy Narrows TUA;
• Conducting community meetings and workshops to obtain information for, and to explain the process and potential outcomes of a culture and ecosystem based planning process for the Grassy Narrows TUA; and
• Working towards the development of interim measures to guide industrial activities within the TUA throughout the planning process.

The Boreal Forest Conservation Framework, released by the Canadian Boreal Initiative in December 2003 in concert with an extraordinary group of leading conservation organizations, First Nations and resource companies, has the goal of conserving the natural, cultural, and sustainable economic values of the entire Canadian Boreal region.

This agreement is consistent with the intent of the Framework, which recognizes the primacy of Aboriginal rights and title as a starting point for sustainability, and that the development of protected areas must respect both ecological realities and Aboriginal rights. The Framework also promotes local and regional planning, grounded in community process and informed by traditional and local knowledge.

Grassy Narrows First Nation is one of 28 First Nation communities in the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3.

The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) is an independent organization working with conservationists, First Nations, industry and others to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's boreal region.

-30-

For more information:
Steven Fobister Jr.
Grassy Narrows First Nation
Tel: (807) 925-2201
Cell (807) 466-7081

Kelly Acton
Canadian Boreal Initiative
(613) 230-4739 ext. 222