Indiginous’ use and importance of wetlands and assessment of moose stress near mines in Eeyou Istchee

Master Project of Eliane Grant

Directors: Nicole Fenton (UQAT-FIR) and Hugo Asselin (UQAT-School of Indigenous Studies)
Collaborators: Louis Imbeau (UQAT-FIR) and Gabriela Mastromonaco (Curator of Reproductive Programs & Research Toronto Zoo)

The characterization of wetlands must imperatively include the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants of the territory. This project is only possible with the participation of Aboriginal communities that have occupied and used the territory for generations. The traditional territory is a place of transmission of knowledge, practice of subsistence activities, and meditation. In James Bay, wetlands play an important role in the landscape and are therefore an integral part of First Nations culture.

Northern Québec is exploited for its many natural resources. Resources that are necessary for the development of the society in which we live, but exploitation is not made without disturbances of the territory. A project like this will provide a better understanding of the use and importance of wetlands for Aboriginal communities in a context of mining exploitation in the territory they occupy. The disturbances caused by mining affect not only the aboriginals themselves, but also the biodiversity surrounding them. Being close to their traditions, hunting is still very present and practiced by many members of the communities. Concerns about the quality of venison have been raised by hunters. In addition to the interviews that will be conducted with stewards of the territory regarding the importance of wetlands, a second biological component will assess the stress of moose (Alces americanus), the main venison consumed by these communities. Stress will be measured in the animal’s hair by determining the level of cortisol it contains. By having the capture geographic coordinates of the animal, the analysis will try to determine if there is correlation between the detected level of cortisol and the anthropogenic disturbances that are in the neighboring territory.

This project promotes exchanges between the Eeyou communities of Nemaska, Mistassini, and the Anicinape community of Pikogan as well as Nemaska Lithium, Stornoway Diamond Corporation, and Hecla Mining Company, while hoping to provide answers to questions raised by First Nations people.

In addition, the information collected will contribute to the classification of the wetlands of James Bay, by adding the indigenous component to the other components, both floristic and faunal.

NSERC-UQAT Insdustrial Research Chair on northern biodiversity in a mining context