Year: 2001
Abstract:
ConocoPhillips conducted this Traditional Land Use Study for their Surmont lease area in Twp 81-83 Rge 5-7 W4M (Figure 1-1). Members from the Fort McMurray No. 486 First Nation, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, Anzac Métis Local and Anzac community all participated in this TLUS during the summer and fall of 1998. This TLUS documents traditional and current environmental knowledge for the future, and describes how "aboriginal people rely on the land for hunting, fishing, gathering edible plants, trapping, and generally living and traveling in the bush". The information in this study can be used for land use planning (oil and gas, forestry and recreational interests), land claims and to preserve the history of the people. Its purpose was to ensure that information on traditional land use in the Surmont lease area was current and relevant so that potential impacts could be minimized. The report is also an appendix to the environmental impact assessment for the Surmont In-situ Oil Sands Projects. The specific objectives are to identify and map significant sites such as important medicinal plant and berry harvesting areas, cabins, traplines, sweat lodges, salt licks etc.; to produce a report and a series of maps that display the proposed project, vegetation communities and traditional uses; to protect confidential information; and to identify potential ways to mitigate the possible impact of the proposed project. Tables included in this study are berries used by the aboriginal people of Anzac, Fort McMurray No. 468 First Nation and Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation; Medicinal and ceremonial plants used by these Aboriginal People; Areas of registered fur management areas and the proportion of these areas covered by the Surmont Lease area; number of animals harvested on traplines between 1986-87 to 1995-96; average pelt prices for furbearers from 1986-1996; and potential mitigation for plants, cultural sites, and traplines.
