Year: 2006
Abstract:
The objectives of this supplementary traditional knowledge and land use effects assessment were to determine the extent of traditional land use; discuss the vegetation and wildlife used for nutritional and medicinal purposes; examine the potential effects the Christina Lake project may have; identify the traditional land uses including fishing, hunting, and plant harvesting, as well as cabin sites, spiritual sites, and graves; determine the project and cumulative impacts of development on these uses; and identify possible mitigation strategies. A preliminary round-table discussion with five Chipewyan Prairie First Nation Elders was held in August 2004, while three interviews with individuals were conducted, in the language of choice, in June 2005. Confidentiality was maintained through the use of numeric codes. Interview questions were semi-directed and focused on patterns of traditional occupancy use; interviewees were free to change the direction of discussion to other matters deemed important to the study. This report gives a broad and comprehensive discussion of the methodology and principles of approach used for the study, including working definitions, management goals, and the assessment approach. A large section on baseline information describes historical and current information related to Chipewyan Prairie First Nation traditional land use, exploring traditional lifestyles and values (cooperative communal relationships, sacred areas/spirituality, the homeland, place names, travel, worldview, traditional foods, biodiversity, livelihood, and health/well-being), traditional sites and areas (berry picking locales, settlement areas, burial sites, caribou range, campsites, and trails), and ecological observations (air and water quality, biodiversity/ecological health, habitat removal/landscape fragmentation, access, preservation of cultural values and traditional ways, traditional foods, health/well-being). The last section of the report describes both the local study area and the regional study area effects to various sites and resources. It also provides MEG Energy Corporation's response to the identified issues and concerns, explaining mechanics of the project, suggesting issue-specific mitigation, or promising further discussion.
