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Chief David Crate
Fisher River Cree Nation
A Community’s Journey to Create a Provincial Park.
Written by Chanda Hunnie
There are places that maintain a precarious existence. Desired for their economic wealth, there are places so rich in natural resources that development interests are many. These same places possess innate beauty and largely intact ecosystems and are rich in more than the limited sense of the word. Ochiwasahow is such a place. Sought after by opposing interests, its inherent value is precisely why Chief David Crate of Fisher River Cree Nation intends to keep it the way it is.
If one were to have visited the Fisher Bay area 130 years ago, it would closely resemble the place we see today. But “there are many interests in this area from logging and mining companies, especially on the east side,” Chief Crate explains. “There are many obstacles we face, but I’m an optimist.” Fisher River Cree Nation, in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, is leading the effort to convince the Manitoba government to support the permanent protection of the Fisher Bay Park Reserve through a provincial park designation.
Since conducting a study of Areas of Ecological Importance last year, the Fisher River Cree Nation has opted to expand the borders of the proposed protected area and current park reserve. According to Chief Crate, “The expansion needs to include areas that were not being represented by the initial proposal and that are both culturally and ecologically important.”
Supported by the wealth provided by the boreal forest, the First Nations of Fisher Bay continue to practice traditional activities. Hunting and trapping wildlife and the gathering of herbs and medicines occur under the canopy of the forest. The nourishing waters of the area are home to a variety of fish species and are an important resource for the many people involved in the fishing industry.
The life of the Fisher Bay area exists in a balance, and its people, conscious of this, respect the limitations of nature. The young people are very familiar with their surroundings and have grown up with an appreciation and respect for the land and its resources. Chief Crate would like to further instill this consciousness into the youth by incorporating environmental education and awareness into school curriculum.
“There are many interests in this area from logging and mining companies.”
Believing that the forest is not only a place of great beauty, but that it is of greater value intact, Chief Crate seeks to develop Ochiwasahow in a manner that promotes the integrity and lasting use of the area. He has initiated research that will survey and identify the flora in the area. Knowing precisely what the vegetation has to offer will better equip him and others to determine the best way to manage the land and appropriate land uses. One such use would be community-led eco-tours that minimize environmental impact while contributing to the prosperity of the people.
Chief Crate’s optimism for the success of Fisher Bay’s preservation has extended to the surrounding communities including the First Nations of Jackhead and Peguis. Now he is concentrating his efforts on the logging and mining interests in hopes that they too will support the permanent status of the proposed park boundaries.
Establishing the permanency of the park reserve would safely set aside this valuable area not only for the people of Fisher River Cree Nation, but for others who recreate seasonally, or for those who have yet to experience Ochiwasahow’s wonders and riches. Chief Crate informs us, “There may be some species in the Fisher Bay area that are only found in this part of the world.” As diverse ecological areas around the world are being degraded at increasingly rapid rates and with irreversible effects, there is an urgent need to protect this area in the face of the many obstacles.
But the obstacles have not proved too great for Chief Crate, and he continues to support the growth and development of his community and advocate for the preservation of Ochiwasahow by ensuring the area becomes a permanently protected provincial park.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
This is truly an inspiring initiative! It’s a great example of a First Nation protecting and managing their traditional territory. The journey to creat the Ochiwasahow park can be used as a glowing model for protected area establishment in Canada’s great wilderness.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
These are great initiatives. I hope that other communities across Canada will inspired by them!
May 8th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
YES I LOVE THE LAST PARAGRAGH OF THE STORY! EXCEPT THE
“DEVELOPMENT” WORD! WHY?
I ALSO BELEIVE THAT ALL OUR LANDS SHOULD BE
“PERMANENTLY PROTECTED”
SO OUR YOUTH AND FUTURE WILL BE
“PERMANENTLY PROTECTED”
March 16th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I am inspired and empowered by the creativity for embarking on the protection of the land, water and it’s total future existence to maintain our natural resources, for not only on our traditional ways, but also, for our future generations.