9.0 Plant Gathering

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9.0 Plant Gathering

The importance of berries and other boreal forest plants to the people of Fort McKay has been specifically described in numerous EIAs, community reports (Neshi et al. 2013; Stelfox et al. 2013; FMIRC 2010; HEG 2009; FMIRC 2010b; FMFN 1994; Tanner et al. 2001; BG-TEK Consulting 2003; FMFN IRC 2004) and regional documents (Dersch and Bush 2008). While important in terms of their medicinal and nutritional value, Fort McKay Métis members also associate many social and cultural values with specific plants and berries and plant gathering. Wood was also harvested throughout the year as needed for fuel and building materials. Historically, selling wood to fuel steamboats provided important supplementary income to many Métis families from Fort McKay.

The echo steamboat travelled to McMurray. We went with it and stayed in McMurray all summer. We came back to McKay in August and lived on the river by Suncor to pick berries and hunt moose; there were two tents for two families. There were lots of fish. Auntie Mary made dry meat. Everybody came, lived there (Ray Boucher has a cabin there now) and picked blueberries, and sold them in town at the McGinnis fisheries. They traded blueberries for food, mainly bags of flour. We went back to McKay in September...... Lots of Blueberries, cranberries and raspberries grew on the island. We sold berries for ten cents a pound when 1 pound of lard was 10 cents, bread 5 cents, a four-pound can of jam was 40 cents, a pound of bitter 40 cents. (Victoria McDonald in FMFN 1994, p. 64)

They’re important to us because that’s how we survived when we were younger. We grew up picking berries, that was our jam for our pancakes, and our bannock and whatever. We grew up on it and we’d like to see it always be in our community. (Barb Faichney in WBEA Fort McKay Berry Focus Group Video 2015 www.youtube.com/watch?y=FSp16uPHJPc)

Fort McKay Métis families have traditionally gathered medicines, roots and berries at different times of the year depending on what was in season. Berry patches were selected in productive areas for harvesting, and in some places, berry patches were actively managed by limiting harvest quantities, or by using fire. However, in 1890-1920, Forestry officials restricted spring burning for habitat enhancement (Campbell et al. 2005, p. 70).

9.1 Plant Gathering in the 1960s

During the 1960s, berries continued to be harvested from July to September when the berries were ripe, with the exception of some species (such as rosehips and some cranberries) that would freeze on shrubs and be available through the winter. This prime gathering season corresponds to the time of

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year when families gathered in larger groups to fish during the summer months and for the fall hunt. During the 1960s, it was common for Fort McKay Métis youth to spend summer months out on their family’s trap line and to be taken out of school to participate in fall preparations for the winter months. While women oversaw the majority of the berry harvest planning and processing work (drying, preserving, stewing, making of jams and jellies), picking was a family affair and was often remembered as a time of laughter and good cheer (HEG 2009).

Fort McKay Métis members suggest that prior to and during the 1960s, berries were found and harvested “everywhere” – although most community members recall picking berries in and around McKay, along the MacKay (Red) River, on family trap lines, and at traditional seasonal harvesting/gathering areas along the Athabasca River (such as Poplar Point and Tar Island) and around Moose Lake and McClelland Lake/Fort Hills area.

The Traditional Land Use and Occupancy Study carried out by Fort McKay in 1994 and 2013 maps berry harvesting areas throughout the territory. The maps in these documents show parallels between intense berry harvest areas and important travel corridors such as the Athabasca River Corridor (including upstream sections of all major tributaries), the Legend-Namur-Gardiner-Sand- Eaglenest corridor and the McKay River (FMFN 1994, p. 26).

9.1.1 Cultural Values Linked to Plant Gathering in the 1960s

Community members associate Plant Gathering in the 1960s with the following cultural values:

• Identity; • Self reliance; • Self determination; • Cooperation; • Caring; • Cohesion; • Faith; • Pride; • Happiness; • Adaptability; and • Understanding nature.

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Identity

Multiple community reports (FMSD 2013, Berryman et al 2013, FMIRC 2010a FMIRC 2010b; HEG 2009; Highwood Environmental Management, 2002), have described the role traditional plant gathering has in strengthening identity by linking families and communities with place and providing opportunities to share knowledge, traditions and history. Fort McKay Métis members suggested this link be moderately strong because even though the Métis don’t necessarily self-identify as “plant-gatherers”, berry picking and plant gathering has always provided important opportunities for individuals to share stories about their family’s time together out on the land. Elders, aunts and uncles and family friends pass on values to youth by telling stories of life in the bush and their history in the region as Métis people. In Aboriginal culture, storytelling served as a means to share vital lessons across generations about the relationship between plants, animals, and people – as well as the importance of maintaining relations of respect and reciprocity between humans and their world. Because berries are an important traditional food and medicine, knowledge associated with the harvest, preparation and use of medicine was gained out on the land during berry picking excursions.

Self Reliance and Adaptability

During the 1960s, wild plants and berries provided an important source of food and medicine throughout the year. Fort McKay Métis members report picking large volumes of berries to eat fresh and to store over the winter (HEG 2009, Tanner et al. 2001; FMFN 1994). In addition to being considered a healthy traditional food, berries and different parts of berry plants were commonly used as medicine. Other medicinal plants could be harvested throughout the territory, but families often had knowledge of specific patches or reliable harvest locations for key species such as rat toot or mint. Knowledge related to finding food plants and medicinal herbs contributed to Fort McKay Métis members’ ability to live off the land and reduced reliance on purchasing food or getting medical assistance (doctor assessments or prescriptions) from Fort McMurray.

During the 1960s, berries or berry products (jams/jellies) were also sold to non- community members or traded within the community for other goods (FMFN 1994; FMTA 1983). Being able to provide healthy food and medicine for themselves and supplementary income strengthened the values of self- reliance and adaptability.

Collecting wood and selling it to the steamboats was another aspect of Plant Gathering that had linkages to the values of self-reliance and adaptability.

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Self Determination and Leadership

Being able to plan berry harvests, maintain berry patches and decide where and how much could be harvested helped to instill the value of self- determination and leadership. Fort McKay Métis members felt the link between Plant Gathering and self-determination should be moderately strong since historically there were so many places to harvest berries, management and access to harvest areas was not really an issue.

Cooperation, Cohesion and Respect

In Fort McKay, berry picking was a group activity carried out with friends and extended family. Berry picking was one of the earliest ways young children became contributing members of the family. Elders used the activity of berry picking to pass on stories and to teach the values of respect for the land and importance of cooperation and family cohesion. Spending time on the land together strengthened ties between family groups and helped to build respect across different age groups.

So then I would take Flora to go out, any time she would call me, Flora Grandjam, to go out and that, I'd go with her.... she’s my adopted grannie...She’s the one who taught me what to use ... She taught me a lot about herbs too. (FMM017-WS2)

Caring

The value of caring is manifested by the act of sharing berry harvest or medicines with those not able to harvest their own, and supporting each other while out on the land. Fort McKay Métis members who have special knowledge of medicine are appreciated for their efforts helping those that are sick or in need. These kind actions can have a ripple effect throughout the community that strengthens community relationships.

Faith

Time spent berry picking was also time spent sharing stories and learning about relationships between people and their environment, and about the spiritual links with the Creator.

Yeah, If you take medicine from the land you're supposed to put tobacco. You're supposed to. You pay for it. (FMM003-WS1)

If you take sweet grass from the ground - You put tobacco, right? You take any type of smudge, if you take fungus, or if you take sage, you give tobacco. You always give back. (FMM005-WS1)

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Happiness

As described earlier, berry picking was most often done as a group and was often remembered as a time of laughter and good cheer (HEG 2009).

Understanding Nature

Berry harvest was one of the many traditional activities that depended on the time of year. Northern people dependent on berry harvests to supplement winter food stores are noted for their ability to interpret many of nature’s signs and signals (indicators) that help them to plan berry harvests (Parlee et al. 2005). Experienced berry pickers are cognizant of seasonal variability and are able to predict the effect moisture, temperature and other environmental factors will have on berry crops. The value of “Understanding Nature” helped Fort McKay Métis members decide where to go picking and how much they should harvest.

Figure 9-1 Cultural Values Linked with Plant Gathering in the 1960s

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9.2 Industrial Stressors Affecting Plant Gathering

Fort McKay Métis members feel that some industrial impacts are directly affecting their ability to maintain certain aspects of their culture. The industrial stressors identified as having the biggest effect on Fort McKay Métis lifestyles are introduced in Section 2. 2.

The following descriptions of stressors affecting Plant Gathering are based on community observations and experiences. Fort McKay Métis members feel the most significant stressors affecting Plant Gathering are:

• Loss of land; • Increased pollution; • Reduced access to land; • Sensory disturbance; and • Policies and approaches to compensation and distribution of benefits.

9.2.1 Loss of Land

As discussed in previous sections, oil sand developments (mines, SAGDs, upgrading facilities and related infrastructure) disturb large areas, change local hydrology and create linear disturbance. The information on loss of land presented in Section 6: Trapping is applicable here, as are the indicators used to track changes to land.

A regional study carried out to identify traditionally used plants in RMWB found that the Fort McKay Aboriginal community has experienced significant losses of plant collection areas and are often disappointed when returning to a plant collection site to find it destroyed by development (Dersch and Bush 2008, p. 14). Many of the traditional berry gathering areas on family trap lines and along the Athabasca, Steepbank, Muskeg, Firebag, Marguerite, McKay, Dover, Ells, Pierre and Redclay creeks and rivers have been lost or altered as a result of oil sand development.

This road here where we use now, there used to be no highway there, there was just a trail down to the river and we used to walk down and go swimming there, go pick berries there … now today look, trails all over it’s not the same. (FMM001-WS1)

I went across to the place where Ted Boucher used to have his trap line, in that area we used to pick berries. Cranberries, blueberries, like that. Oh I get there. Oh not one stick stand up. Nothing. Just all open. Time you see, your eyes how long you see for your eyes. Nothing. Nothing at all. You know where Ted Boucher’s trap line, eh. Right there, that area.

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Nothing. Really, nothing. But I don’t go on the Muskeg Lake (Kearl Lake) side so I don’t know what it looks like that side... So when they grow back it takes a long time after all they finish. He takes a long time. All this. All kinds of things. They’re gonna put it back, he says after they finish. But I don’t think they’re gonna put it back all different kinds of rose you know, berries, all different berries. Maybe, they’re gonna try I guess... It used to be good but, no. We’re stuck here. We’ve got no place to go now. No place to go. Where ever we go its all damaged our country. So it’s not an easy life. Just like I lived. This right here, we stay here. In McKay here. I never thought she gonna be like that.... (Alice Boucher in Campbell et al. 2005, p. 37)

Loss of traditional berry picking sites is not only occurring at project mine sites, but also as a result of project-related infrastructure since many roads, pipelines, power lines and work camps associated with oil sand development are built on the high sandy ridges that support productive berry habitats. An Edible Berry Habitat Suitability Index (Blueberry – Vaccinium myrtilloides) and bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) was used as an indicator of berry harvesting potential in the Fort McKay Cumulative Effects Project (2013). This project found that, to date, “cumulative effects of industrial activity have caused direct loss of natural landscape and berry habitat and indirect reduction in performance of edible berry biotic indicators in areas adjacent to land use footprints, which occur as linear (seismic lines, pipelines, transmission lines and roads) and polygonal features (surface mines, tailings ponds, settlements, well sites, processing plants)” (Nishi et al. 2013, p. 73). This has implications for the Fort McKay Métis harvesters, in that they must travel further and further away from Fort McKay to pick berries or gather medicines.

Reduced water levels associated with industrial use, removal of muskeg, road construction and other industry driven water diversions are also affecting some berry habitats for berries and medicinal plants.

Today all the berries dry up before they ripen. Berries grow better where they are protected in the bush. (Alice Boucher in FMFN 1994, p. 67) Fort McKay Métis members believe cumulative land loss limits community members’ opportunity and capacity to hunt, trap and gather, forcing them to participate in the wage economy. This loss of land has changed the way Fort McKay Métis members spend their time and who they spend their time with. It has limited the number of opportunities for traditional intergenerational transfer of knowledge and some members’ skill sets and sense of place.

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9.2.2 Increased Pollution

Community concerns related to emissions from oil sand upgraders, mine fleets and the dust and emissions associated with industrial vehicle use in project areas and along highways, roads and access trails has been documented in numerous EIAs, community reports (FMIRC 2010; HEG 2009; FMIRC 2008; FMTA 1983; FMFN 1994; BG-TEK 2003), and regional documents; Dersch and Bush 2008). In all of these reports, Fort McKay Métis members suggest that since the 1960s there has been a significant change in the availability, quality, size, abundance and distribution of berries growing throughout the territory, which they believe can be attributed to industrial pollution. While some people will pick berries locally, others in the community say that they have changed their berry picking locations and now travel hundreds of kilometers to find berries that are not “covered in white powder and black specks.” (FMES Inc. and AGRA 1998, p. 21)

... blueberry, and cranberries, and all that kind of stuff. You can actually see a silver kind of ash on them when you do pick them, and you have to wash them, and take them home, and away. (FMM011-WS2)

Indicators used to track changes in pollution effects related to Plant Gathering are listed in Table 9-1.

Table 9-1 Indicators Selected to Track Changes in Pollution

Increased • Results from regional monitoring work (Wood Buffalo Environmental Pollution Association [WBEA] air monitoring programs (SO2, NOx, P.M. 2.5), terrestrial effects monitoring programs for berries). • # of industrial accidents of malfunctions/year. • Community perceptions of berry quality: o The “look of the berries” (covered in dust, smaller, fewer)

Increased scrutiny over the cumulative effects resulting from oil sand projects in northern Alberta has emphasized the need to improve environmental monitoring in order to better inform policy decisions related to the energy and resource sectors (Grant, Dagg, Dyer & Lemphers 2010; Office of the Auditor General of Canada 2011; Office of the Auditor General of Canada 2014; Ross 2010).

The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) monitors air quality in the region and currently operates nineteen fixed and four portable monitoring stations for continuous and integrated measurements for criteria and non- criteria pollutants. They also carry out a range of terrestrial effects monitoring programs and special projects to evaluate potential effects on lichen, edible berries, wildlife and soils (www.wbea.org).

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In 2010, the Fort McKay community (Métis and First Nation) approached WBEA with their concerns about the cumulative impact oil sand emissions were having on blueberries and cranberries. As a result, WBEA partnered with Fort McKay to design and carry out a berry-monitoring project. Several Elders from the community, including individuals with strong ties to the Métis families living in Fort McKay (for example Barb Faichney, Howard Lacord), helped identify monitoring sites, including sites they believed were being influenced by industry emissions and places that they thought the berries were healthy. In 2013, the community asked WBEA to include scientific monitoring equipment and start testing the berries, and so passive samplers (SOX NOX ozone and hydrocarbons) along with meteorological information, (wind direction, rain, relative humidity and incoming solar radiation) and leaf wetness sensors (to measure ambient moisture that may result from fog) were added to monitoring locations.

After three years of data, it was determined that the western science observations matched the observations of the Fort McKay Elders. Air monitoring stations at each location confirmed that VOC, SO2 and NO2 concentrations are lower at Moose Lake (the control site located the furthest away from oil sands development), than other monitoring locations that are closer to oil sand operations. The study also tested berries for health properties including phenolics (known for their antioxidant properties), chlorogenic acid (know for lowering blood pressure), and proanthocyanidins (linked to lowering risk for coronary heart disease). All health properties, including phenolics, chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, were the highest at Moose Lake, showing a commonality between the perceptions and beliefs offered by the Elders of Fort McKay and findings offered by western science (www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pI6uPHJPc). While none of the levels of pollutants recorded at monitoring locations were high enough to cause direct injury to the blueberry and cranberry plants (www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pI6uPHJPc) results supported Fort McKay community observations in different locations suggesting that berries were “better” at in undisturbed locations far away from oil sands development.

Decreased quality of country foods and concerns over pollution have decreased motivation to harvest plants and berries close to Fort McKay, reducing time spent gathering.

9.2.3 Reduced Access to Land

The stress that changes in access to the land places on Fort McKay described in Section 6: Trapping applies to Plant Gathering. A greater number of non- community members using the land has had an affect on the desire to go berry picking for some community members.

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There are too many white people. We can’t even go berry picking; women are scared to go by themselves. (Alice Boucher in FMFN 1994, p. 60)

Indicators for tracking changes in access are discussed in the previous sections on Trapping (Section 6) and Hunting (Section 7).

9.2.4 Sensory Disturbance

Many Fort McKay Métis members remember the days when there was no road to Fort McKay and only a few homes surrounded the HBC trading post, the church and the school. Today, the sights, sounds and smells of oil sands mining permeate the community of Fort McKay. Since CNRL began operating, the community is literally surrounded by open pit mines and so odors from the pits, sulfur piles and upgraders affect the community regularly.

The two largest and longest standing mines in the region are located within approximately 10-20 km from Fort McKay, with two other mines operating with 5-10 km of town within the last decade (Berryman et al. 2013). When community members stand on the banks of the Athabasca River in Fort McKay, they can hear the trucks and shovels from Shell’s Albian Sands Mine, see the emissions from Syncrude and Suncor’s facilities to the south, and see the berms of the mine pits along the east bank of the river. What was once the community’s primary source for healthy food, clean water and transportation is now an industrial view and soundscape. It is not surprising Fort McKay Métis members are concerned pollution from oil sands development is affecting the quality of berries and traditionally harvested plants around Fort McKay.

Because there is nowhere to buy groceries in Fort McKay and community members can no longer harvest wild food near their community, they must travel to Fort McMurray to buy groceries. Youth must also travel to Fort McMurray to go to high school. This 40 minute drive, in heavy industrial traffic, takes community members through several active mining areas, past upgrading facilities, construction camps and new residential communities that now occupy historic trap lines, berry harvesting areas and homesteads. This intense visual impact is a constant reminder of loss and disparity in benefit found in the region and can generate enormous feelings of sadness and frustration.

Indicators used to track sensory disturbance effects to Métis culture in Fort McKay are listed in Table 9-2.

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Table 9-2 Indicators Used to Track Changes in Sensory Disturbance Indicators

Constant Visual impacts sensory • Ability to see the emissions from Syncrude and Suncor from key disturbance locations in Fort McKay (Elders’ center, shores of the Athabasca River, day center/day care, school, people’s homes/yards, Fort McKay turn-off of Highway 63). • Being able to see the mine retaining walls from key locations (listed above). • # of large industrial camps, staging areas, active mining areas visible from the road (between Fort McKay and Fort McMurray, and between Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan). • Ability to see the light pollution emitted from development sites in Fort McKay. Auditory impacts • Ability to hear activity at mines in Fort McKay (outside, inside homes). • Ability to hear heavy equipment on roads/highways. Odor impacts • Ability to smell industrial processes (refer to pollution section and Fort McKay air quality criteria and odour monitoring).

9.2.5 Government and Industry Policies and Approaches to Engagement.

The information presented in Section 6: Trapping related to the lack of a provincial policy on consultation with Métis and the lack of engagement with the Fort McKay Métis regarding regional plans and policies applies here, as do the indicators used to track change in this stressor.

I'd like to go for Berry picking too, I know how to pick up berries myself. Lots of us would like to go for berries, not just one side [referring to First Nation side] mostly they only take the First Nation side, not us Métis. (FMM009-WS1)

9.3 Plant Gathering in 2015

Despite the significant decreases in productive berry habitat surrounding Fort McKay, berry picking and Plant Gathering continued to play a role in Fort McKay Métis family lives, providing supplemental food, medicine and opportunities for working together out on the land.

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9.3.1 Cultural Values Linked to Plant Gathering in 2015

Due to the combined stressors discussed above, the ability for Fort McKay Métis members to pick berries, harvest medicinal plants and collect wood has been severely diminished and so community members feel the strength of the activity-values linkages have weakened. Despite infrequent opportunities to go berry picking in more remote locations, community members continue to associate 2015 Plant Gathering with a number of important cultural values. Values still associated with Plant Gathering include:

• Identity; • Self reliance; • Self determination; • Cooperation; • Caring; • Cohesion; • Faith; • Happiness; • Adaptability; • Understanding Nature; and • Respect.

Identity

Although there are few opportunities for Fort McKay Métis members to pick berries or medicines, individuals still associate picking berries and medicines with Métis culture. Plants used for spiritual reasons (sweet grass, smudging) continue to be harvested. Many of the participants in the Frontier Mine Project ICA focus group meetings had braids of sweet grass and other plants for smudging, traditional medicines (mint and rat root) at home and in their cars. All participants in this ICA want plant gathering to continue to be part of the Métis way of life and all want to participate in future berry picking or plant gathering excursions. However, because so few Fort McKay Métis members currently gather plants or berries, the link for 2015 is considered weak.

Self Reliance

Although there are a few Fort McKay Métis members who harvest wild plants, no one is able to support themselves or their family on wild foods year round. Many traditional places to harvest berries and medicines have been lost or are now inaccessible. Healthy harvesting locations near Fort McKay are getting harder to find. As a result, the link between gathering and self-reliance is considered weak.

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Self Determination

Fort McKay Métis members feel they have little choice but to give up berry picking and medicinal plant gathering as a subsistence activity since many of the traditional harvesting areas they are familiar with have been destroyed or adversely affected by oil sands activity. There are some places that community members feel are clean (such as undisturbed trap lines, in the Birch Mountains and Firebag River), but not all Fort McKay Métis members have access to these areas. For example, although berries out in Moose Lake are considered clean and healthy, few Fort McKay Métis members have the time or their own mode of transportation, so going to Moose Lake just to pick berries is not common.

The MMSC is only recently becoming involved in regional planning initiatives and to date, Fort McKay Métis members have not been invited to participate in provincial or federal monitoring initiatives. For these reasons, the link in 2015 for self-determination is considered weak.

Becoming more involved in regional berry monitoring is of high interest to Fort McKay Métis members.

Caring

The value of caring is most often associated with the sharing of berries or medicines to help heal others in the community when they are sick. This is especially the case when Fort McKay Métis members talk about Elders and children. The link associated with caring is weakened because there are so few opportunities for Fort McKay Métis members to pick berries or medicines, individuals harvest less and less sharing occurs. Sharing of berry harvest still occurs in the community.

When I go to pick the berries, it is not only for me, when I come back I give to my Elders. (FMM009-WS1)

Cohesion/Cooperation/Happiness

Despite the severe reduction in clean, accessible berry habitat, when plant harvesting does occur, it is considered a time for inter-generational groups of people to be out on the land together strengthening bonds and building relationships among friends and family. Community harvesting trips used to be organized, but are now not as common.

My ex-daughter-in-law, Brenda, her mom Bertha, she used to take, Elders to the Goose Hill like, uh, Targets [road]. They used to have a tent there. She was taking Elders, in the bush to go get medicine, gather medicine,

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blueberries like that. Then she passed. Passed away and her daughter was doing that for a while. (FMM001-WS2)

The FMMCA is very motivated to create new opportunities for Fort McKay Métis members to get out and harvest wild foods together. Because Fort McKay Métis members still believe plant gathering is fundamental to the values of happiness, cohesion and cooperation, the link between this Plant Gathering and these values remains moderately strong.

We’re going to go and pick together and we’re going to hunt, and we’re going to share the meat. Actually we’ve even started a community garden for the purposes of giving our members, giving them each some tomatoes and some peppers or some corn and carrots or whatever. It’s our first kick at the cat this year so, but we’re going to get bigger and better. The reason for that, is to start to bring the people closer together, the way it used to be. To start sharing everything, right? Everybody gets something. We’re going to share equally amongst all of our people and that’s what we really want to move toward. (FMM005- WS1)

Faith

Most Fort McKay Métis members feel the land their family has used for generations is no longer capable of supporting their families. What was once boreal forest, fen and wetlands has been cleared and transformed into mine pits, tailings ponds, construction camps and vast sandy planes. Fort McKay Métis harvesters must travel far distances into unknown areas to try and find berries or traditional medicines.

Several community members continue give thanks through an offering when they gather plants. While not all community members do this all the time, several individuals participating in community focus groups indicated they drew on this Cree tradition to show gratitude to creator for their harvest.

Plus when they give, when somebody comes up to sell you a braid of sweet grass, you're not supposed to pay for that braid, you're supposed to give an offering back. (FMM005-WS2)

Because of these reasons, Fort McKay Métis members felt the link between Plant Gathering and faith in 2015 is now weak.

Adaptability, Understanding Nature, Pride and Respect

Because there are fewer places to harvest plants and fewer people carrying out this activity, there is less opportunity for young people to spend time out on the land learning traditional skills related to medicinal and food plants. As a

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result, fewer people are familiar with harvesting locations and how to appropriately pick, process and administer traditional medicines. In the past, the ability to harvest and store wild plants, berries and roots enabled people to rely less on paid work and maintain a balance between “work” and a subsistence lifestyle. This ability was gained by spending time with Elders and extended family that held this experience and traditional knowledge. Because of decreased time on the land harvesting berries and medicines, Fort McKay Métis members felt that linkages between Plant Gathering and adaptability, understanding nature, pride, and respect is weak.

There are still a number of Fort McKay Métis members that hold traditional knowledge related to plants. Many Elders attribute their knowledge of land to time spent berry picking along the rivers and on trap lines. This knowledge builds confidence and pride in ones self. These individuals are respected for their knowledge and still asked to share this knowledge with younger generations.

As described above, increasing opportunities for community members to spend time on the land is important to the Fort McKay Métis community.

Table 9-3 summarizes the changes in activity-value linkages for Plant Gathering. These are the value linkages represented on Figure 9-2.

Table 9-3 Summary of 2015 Activity-Value Linkages for Plant Gathering

Have cumulative stressors changed Line used on Cultural value has been how, where, when or why cultural Cultural Model affected by changes to activities occur? cultural activity No, the extent to which the cultural activity instills the value is the same Activity is still somewhat common but Self-reliance, there are fewer people that carry out Cooperation the activity, thus the extent to which Cohesion the value is instilled is lessened Happiness, Only very few people carry out this Identity, activity or there are very few places Self-reliance, to carry out this activity severely Self-determination, diminishing the opportunity to instill this Cohesion, value Caring Adaptability Pride, Understanding Nature New or improved linkages

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Figure 9-2 Cultural Values Linked to Gathering Plants in 2015

9.4 Potential Impacts to Gathering Plants from the Frontier Mine Project

This section describes some of the potential impacts the Frontier Mine Project will have and the project’s contribution to regional cumulative effects to gathering plants including berries, medicinal plants and wood.

9.4.1 Frontier Mine Project Stressors

Section 9.2 describes some of the industrial stressors that are causing existing cumulative effects to the ability of Métis people from Fort McKay to gather plants. These stressors are:

• Loss of land; • Increased pollution; • Changes in access to land;

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• Sensory disturbance; and • Government and industry policies related to Métis. Loss of Land

As Section 6: Trapping describes, the Frontier Mine Project is expected to take up approximately 29,300 ha within the lands traditionally used by Fort McKay Métis members. While the none of the trap line areas directly impacted by the Frontier Mine Project are registered to Fort McKay Métis members, historical data and oral accounts tell us the lands within and surrounding the Frontier Mine Project area have been used by people that have long relationships and kinship ties to Métis people from Fort McKay.

During TLU interviews, sixty-six site-specific traditional land use values including twenty-four subsistence sites and polygons associated with past, present and planned future subsistence activities described in the LSA (FMSD 2011 p. 39). When combined with historic information from There is still Survival Out There, sixty site-specific subsistence values associated with the LSA area including hunting, fishing, drying meat, gathering eggs, harvesting wood, picking berries (chokecherry, cranberry, bunchberry, raspberry, strawberry and blueberry) and gathering medicinal plants (FMSD 2011 p. 40). A total of eighty-four subsistence values were recorded and mapped within the Teck LSA (FMSD 2011, p. 40).

In 2010, when describing potential Frontier Mine Project effects, one Fort McKay Métis member said: “We already lost too much, what else? They keep on taking it and we’re going to have nothing. We sit down here...the bare country. Not even a tree will be in our ground in the future time. Maybe we’re still lucky as we’re still alive but our children, they’re raised with nothing” (FMSD 2010c)

Changes in Access to Land

The 2011 TLUS noted the extensive land-based trail network and the many rivers and creeks that were used for transportation throughout the region and through the Frontier Mine Project lease. There are major land-based trails, originally cut by hand and travelled on by foot and dog team that extend east-west from the Athabasca River to the Birch Mountains and north-south along the Athabasca River.

Because very few people will pick berries or medicine close to Fort McKay due to concerns over quality, most of the picking occurs on family trap lines or traditional hunting or fishing areas. The Fort McKay Métis believe the Frontier Mine Project will affect travel along both these important corridors that are used to reach family harvesting areas on trap lines and in the Birch Mountains. In terms of accessing other harvesting areas further away, participants in the

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TLUS (2011) felt a new access route will be required around the west side of the CNRL mine and will add hours to the trip. New travel routes and further distances can discourage some community members from going out to pick berries or medicines. This is especially limiting for Elders, women and young people who would like to go, but simply can’t.

Sensory Disturbance

Fort McKay Métis people believe the sounds, smells and visual impacts from the Frontier Mine Project will extend beyond the lease area in that it will have visible plumes and will contribute to regional haze.

Everything is stress. We are apprehensive about eating berries. Stress is driving to town - going through Syncrude and see the land that has been taken. All our rivers are polluted. Now we have to go other places but we are driven from our land. (HEG 2009)

Increased Regional Population

The construction workforce is estimated at 3,500 people and the peak operations workforce is estimated at 2,500 people. Teck will build a construction and operations camp located east of Oakley Lake. The location of the Frontier Mine Project on the west side of the Athabasca River opens up an area of traditional Fort McKay territory that was previously difficult to access, increasing the number of non-aboriginal people able to access Fort McKay Métis traditional harvesting areas on the west side of the river.

Government and Industry Policies Related to Métis

To date, Teck has been open to involving the Fort McKay Métis community in project planning and continues to have discussions with the MMSC regarding mitigation planning and accommodation agreements.

9.4.2 Frontier Mine Project Effects on Linkages with Cultural Values

As part of the process of determining the strength of the link between the activity Plant Gathering and the twelve cultural values portrayed in the cultural model, a list of value-based indicators was generated.

These indicators are a list of the things community members feel should be used to describe the effects oil sands development is having on gathering plants and Fort McKay Métis culture. The value-based indicators are discussed for each cultural value. The impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkages is then described using the impact rating criteria described in Section 5.

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Wherever data was available, HEG has considered these indicators in the Frontier Mine Project ICA. FMMCA hope to start tracking more information related to cultural activities and socio-cultural conditions in the future.

Identity

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and identity if:

• There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis youth/adults/Elders who pick berries, harvest medicine or wood for fuel in the bush. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members with the desire to harvest plants and berries. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members who prefer traditional medicinal treatments.

Fort McKay Métis families tend to harvest berries, medicinal plants and wood on family trap lines, historical hunting areas or fish camps. Much of the plant and berry harvesting sites recorded in 2011 are attributed to one large extended family from Fort McKay. Since none of the trap line areas directly affected by the Frontier Mine Project are currently registered to Fort McKay Métis members, the effect the project has on this particular activity is considered medium. While not a direct effect at this time, historical data and oral accounts have shown that families in Fort McKay are interconnected, and kinship ties spread throughout the Athabasca district (between Fort Chipewyan to Lac La Biche, Wabasca to La Loche). The additional loss of lands that have a history of supporting plant harvesting and traditional livelihoods has implications for the future generations of all of the region’s Aboriginal peoples.

Over time, as future generations have less access to harvesting areas and limited opportunities to pick berries and medicine, their preferences for foods, medicines and their desire to spend time in the bush harvesting wild plants can change. Future generations may not feel compelled to pick berries or medicines if it is not something they are used to doing. This can lead to loss of skills, knowledge, sense of place and identity.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is medium; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a weak link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

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Self Reliance

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and self reliance if:

• There is a decrease in the amount of berries harvested/consumed/year. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members with berries in their freezer/berry preserves. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members with rat root at home (or other traditional medicines) (from the bush, from the store). • There is an increase in the distance and time travelled to harvest berries, medicines or wood. • There is an increased in reliance on motorized transport to reach harvesting areas (consider travel methods people use: walking, trucks, quads, planes).

Fort McKay Métis families that have access to family trap lines still rely on these areas to harvest berries and wood while they are camping or hunting, as well as some medicinal plants such as rat root and mint.

Since none of the trap line areas directly affected by the Frontier Mine Project are currently registered to Fort McKay Métis members, the project will not directly affect how many berries are currently harvested by Fort McKay Métis families. However, the Frontier Mine Project will affect the ability of other Aboriginal families to harvest wild foods in the project area for at least two generations, and will affect the way several Fort McKay Métis harvesters access other harvesting areas in the Birch Mountains or on family trap lines. Fort McKay Métis members worry effects from dust along roadways and from future “reclaimed” areas, combined with the Frontier Mine Project’s contribution to regional air emissions, will affect the quality of plants and berries in areas beyond the Frontier Mine Project lease.

In “There is Still Survival Out There” (FMFN 1994), a number of areas close to the Frontier Mine Project area were mapped as being harvesting locations for wood (for example poplar, birch, jack pine). During the November 2015 workshops, several Fort McKay Métis members were asked if many people still harvested wood for heat in their homes, to sell, or for building materials. Several of the community members noted that it is no longer common for homes to use wood stoves for heating. None of the new houses built in the Fort McKay Métis community have wood stoves, so the need for harvesting wood has declined. Wood is mostly harvested for firewood when camping.

Fort McKay Métis members believe the Frontier Mine Project will change the way they can travel through the territory, in that it will take them much longer to access traditional harvesting areas.

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For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is community wide; the magnitude is moderate; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered medium importance. Because the impact is on a moderately strong link, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Self-Determination and Leadership

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and self determination if:

• There is an increase in the # of community member that must ask permission/be on a list to access harvest areas • There is a decrease in the # of community members participating in and/or informed about regulatory processes for new developments • There is a decrease in FMMCA participation in regional land use planning, environmental monitoring, and reclamation initiatives

Fort McKay Métis members have fewer places they can go to pick berries, and they expect there will be even fewer places in the future. Fort McKay Métis members believe the Frontier Mine Project will affect travel to reach traditional harvesting areas.

As other sections have noted, Teck has committed to work with MMSC (and other Aboriginal communities) on developing an Access Management Strategy for the Frontier Project. This will help reduce stress on self- determination, but it will not eliminate the effect.

The potential impact from the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is expected to negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is moderate; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a threatened/weak link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Cooperation

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and cooperation if:

• There are fewer recent stories of Fort McKay Métis members/families working together to pick berries. • There is a decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis members meaningfully participating in environmental monitoring programs: o Community programs.

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o Industry or regional monitoring programs or studies. o Government programs (federal and provincial).

The Frontier Mine Project will not directly affect the measures listed above. However, because the Frontier Mine Project will adversely affect plant gathering for other Métis families in the region, including families from Fort McKay, the Fort McKay Métis community believes that there will be a decrease in the number of opportunities for people to work together picking berries, sharing knowledge and skills. This adversely affects how traditional knowledge is generated and transferred among the Métis community. This has the potential to decrease the number of Métis individuals participating in community programs and environmental work carried out by industry or government.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a moderately strong link, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Cohesion

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and cohesion if:

• The composition of harvesting groups changes to be more homogeneous including fewer Elders, children, friends and relations.

Berry picking and plant harvesting have always been group activities, and a means of building relationships between different generations and extended families. Gathering plants and berries is often one of the earliest ways young people become involved in collective efforts to provide for the family, thereby strengthening the family unit and the feeling of belonging. Berry picking provides a venue for sharing knowledge and family history that also contributes to a sense of place and pride in being part of a group. Many of the Fort McKay Métis members participating in the Frontier Mine Project ICA workshops (September 2015 – January 2016) shared happy stories from berry picking excursions. Community members are deeply saddened they can no longer pick berries around Fort McKay, and the thought of losing relatively intact harvesting areas on the west side of the Athabasca exacerbates these feelings – even if they do not personally pick there.

As sections above have noted, the Frontier Mine Project will be contributing to regional issues related to productive berry habitat, wetlands and access. The

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need to travel further into remote areas has already negatively affected the ability of some community members to pick berries, harvest medicinal plants or collect firewood. Multi-generational, multi-family berry picking excursions have become more difficult and occur less frequently affecting the way information is generated and transferred among the community.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Min Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is community wide; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a moderately strong link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Faith

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and faith if:

• There is a decrease in the belief that the bush will provide. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members with knowledge of protocols for harvesting medicines.

As sections above have noted, the Frontier Mine Project will be directly impacting plant gathering areas used by some Fort McKay Métis families, thereby contributing to the regional issues that are adversely affecting the ability for Fort McKay Métis members to pick berries or harvest medicines or fire wood around Fort McKay.

Fort McKay Métis members are skeptical that reclaimed land will be productive and that future generations will be able to exercise their rights to harvest plants in order to feed and take care of their families.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a threatened/weak link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Pride

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between gathering plants and pride if:

• There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members recognized for traditional skills, TEK or “knowing their history”.

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• There is a decrease in the # of opportunities for Elders to share their knowledge and bush experience. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members fulfilling roles as “teachers”.

As the sections above have described, if fewer Fort McKay Métis members are on the land picking berries or harvesting medicines, there will be fewer opportunities for Elders to pass on knowledge and skills to younger generations. Many Fort McKay Métis members take great pride in their knowledge of the region, the environment and its waterways. Providing opportunities for community members to share skills and knowledge builds pride in Métis history and lifestyles, especially when knowledge holders have a role in informing community leaders in matters related to environmental protection, land use policy and regional planning.

Happiness

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and happiness if:

• Community members feel their circumstances related to plan gathering are getting worse not better. • Plant gathering no longer makes community members feel “happy”.

Fort McKay Métis members feel that the Frontier Mine Project will decrease the ability of community members to spend time on the land and so they believe they will be “worse off” if the Frontier Mine Project is approved. As more barriers to plant gathering and berry picking are imposed, the positive, “happy” feelings community members historically associated with being on the land are diminished when they are forced to travel through cleared areas, past tailings ponds and industrial plants, and witness the destruction of former berry and plant harvesting areas.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore

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considered highly important. The impact is on a moderately strong link, and is likely, therefore the effect is considered highly significant.

Adaptability

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and adaptability if:

• There are fewer Métis community members that can harvest and process and administer traditional medicines correctly, • There are fewer Métis community members that know how to preserve roots, berries and herbs,

As sections above have noted, the Frontier Mine Project will not be directly impacting Fort McKay Métis trap lines, but these areas have been used historically by Fort McKay community members, including both friends and family of Fort McKay Métis members participating in focus groups carried out for this assessment. With fewer multi-generational trapping excursions taking place, the way skills and information are generated and transferred among different generations and gender groups has changed, especially among women. This is worth noting, since women were typically in charge of berry picking activities and more involved in preparing and administering medicines. Fort McKay Métis members believe the addition of the Frontier Mine Project will contribute to this. With fewer young people learning these skills, Elders worry that future generations will no longer be able to survive off the land when the mines close down.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a weak link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant

Understanding Nature

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and understanding nature if:

• There is a decrease in the amount of time Fort McKay Métis members spend in the bush. • There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay Métis members who consider themselves knowledgeable about plants (food plants and medicines) and able to survive in the bush.

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The Fort McKay Métis believe that over time, the Frontier Mine Project will contribute to factors limiting opportunities to access healthy land that will ultimately limit opportunities to learn about traditional foods, medicines and terrestrial ecosystems.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Because the impact is on a weak/threatened link, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Respect

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project will have an adverse effect on the linkage between Plant Gathering and respect if:

• There is a decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis Elders invited to participate in camps and community initiatives.

The Frontier Mine Project will not directly influence this indicator the effect is considered not significant.

Figure 9-4 illustrates the impact that the Frontier Mine Project will have on gathering plants as it is proposed in the updated application.

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Figure 9-3 Frontier Mine Project Impact on Linkages Between Plant Gathering and Cultural Values.

9.4.3 Recommended Mitigation Measures, Protection Plans and Offset Programs for the Frontier Mine Project

In Aug 2015, MMSC shared their specific concerns related to the contributions the Frontier Mine Project will make to cumulative effects in Fort McKay’s territory, and the extent to which these effects continue to impact Fort McKay Métis’ current and future generations’ traditional livelihood, existence, culture and traditional economy (MMSC 2015). All of the comments and recommendations made in that document are adopted by the Frontier Mine Project ICA and are listed in Section 16.

Fort McKay Métis culture and the activity Plant Gathering is already under a tremendous amount of stress as a result of the rapid and significant shifts in environmental, social and economic conditions that have occurred within their territory. As a way of increasing the resiliency of Fort McKay Métis culture, so that it may better withstand the pressures industry is imposing on their way of life, the Frontier Mine Project ICA makes recommendations aimed at not only

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mitigating Frontier Mine Project contributions to cumulative impacts, but also for maintaining and potentially strengthening the state of current linkages through protection measures and offset strategies.

In addition to mitigation measures, the Fort McKay Métis believe linkages could be strengthened by protecting:

• Important traditionally used places and watersheds. • Important skills, knowledge and traditions (such as processing medicines and berries, giving thanks and distributing wild foods).

Offset strategies are also recommended in Section 16 as a means of potentially strengthening the state of current linkages being affected by the Frontier Mine Project’s contribution to cumulative effects through some other initiative. Examples of recommended offsets that could help instill some of the values traditionally instilled through Plant Gathering are:

• Cultural camps. • Traditional food security systems. • Transportation to harvesting areas. • Training to participate in environmental and socio-cultural monitoring programs.

Section 6: Trapping introduced the benefits these strategies can have in terms of restoring cultural values and strengthening the cultural fabric of the community. Each strategy is described more fully in Section 16: Recommendations Summary.

Table 9-5 shows which of the value based indicators identified for Plant Gathering will be affected in a positive way when recommendations are implemented over the life of the project.

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Table 9-5 Mitigation, Protection and Offset Contributions to Value-Based Indicators for Plant Gathering

Value Value Based indicators for Plant Gathering Mitigation Protection Cultural Food Transport Monitoring FMMCA Camp Security program in System planning

Identity There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis youth/adults/Elders that pick berries, harvest medicine or wood for fuel in the bush.

Identity There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members with the desire to harvest plants and berries.

Identity There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members that prefer traditional medicinal treatments.

Self Reliance There is an increase in the amount of berries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ harvested/consumed/year.

Self Reliance There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members with berries in their freezer /berry preserves.

Self Reliance There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members with rat root at home (or other traditional medicines) (from the bush, from the store).

Self Reliance There is a decrease in the distance travelled ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ and time spent to harvest healthy plants and berries.

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Value Value Based indicators for Plant Gathering Mitigation Protection Cultural Food Transport Monitoring FMMCA Camp Security program in System planning

Self Reliance There is a decrease in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members that require motorized or special transportation to reach harvesting areas (walking, snow machines, trucks, dog sleds, boats, planes).

Self There is a decrease in # of Fort McKay Métis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ determination/ members who must ask permission/be on a Leadership list to access harvesting areas/trap line areas.

Self There is an increase in # of Fort McKay Métis ✓ ✓ ✓ determination/ members participating in and/or informed Leadership about regulatory processes for new developments.

Self There is an increase in MMSC participation in ✓ ✓ ✓ determination/ regional land use planning regional land use Leadership planning, environmental monitoring, and reclamation initiatives where they have an influential voice.

Cooperation There is an increase in the # of recent stories ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ of working together.

Cooperation There is increased meaningful participation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ in environmental monitoring programs: • Community programs. • Industry or regional berry, wetland and reclamation monitoring programs or studies. • Government programs (federal and provincial).

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Value Value Based indicators for Plant Gathering Mitigation Protection Cultural Food Transport Monitoring FMMCA Camp Security program in System planning

Faith There is an increase in the belief the bush will ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ provide.

Faith There is an increase in the # of Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis members with knowledge of protocols for harvesting plants or an increase in the # of people that think this is important.

Pride Increase in # of Fort McKay Métis members ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ recognized for traditional skills, TEK or “knowing their history”.

Pride Increase in # of opportunities for Fort McKay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Métis Elders to share knowledge and bush experience with youth.

Pride Increase in # of Fort McKay Métis members ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ fulfilling roles as “teachers”.

Happiness Increase in the belief things getting are ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ getting better.

Adaptability Increase in the # of Fort McKay Métis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ members able to harvest and process and administer traditional medicines correctly and preserve roots, berries and herbs.

Understanding Increase in the time spent in the bush. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Nature

Understanding Increase in # of Fort McKay Métis members ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Nature who consider themselves knowledgeable about plants (food plants and medicines)

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Value Value Based indicators for Plant Gathering Mitigation Protection Cultural Food Transport Monitoring FMMCA Camp Security program in System planning

and are able to survive in the bush.

Respect Increase in # of Fort McKay Métis Elders ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ invited to participate in camps and community initiatives.

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9.4.4 Residual Impacts for the Frontier Mine Project

Assuming the Frontier Mine Project implements all the recommendations above for mitigation, protection, offsets, monitoring and participation in planning, the linkages between gathering plants and cultural values would be strengthened.

Table 9-6 State of Value-Based Linkages for Plant Gathering if all Mitigations, Protection Measures and Offset Strategies are applied to 2015 Models

Value State of 2015 Value linkage State of 2015 link with all mitigations, protections and offsets applied over the life of the Project

Identity Weak Moderate

Self Reliance Moderate Strong

Self determination/ Leadership Weak Moderate

Cooperation Moderate Strong

Cohesion Moderate Strong

Caring Weak Moderate

Faith Weak Moderate

Pride Weak Moderate

Happiness Moderate Strong

Adaptability Weak Moderate

Understanding Nature Weak Moderate

Respect Weak Moderate

Applying the same rationale in Section 9.4.2 that describes the Frontier Mine Project’s contribution to cumulative stressors affecting Plant Gathering, the impact criteria is applied considering the improved state of the values linkage.

Identity

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important. Because of the magnitude and importance of this effect, even though the link has been strengthened, the incremental impact of the Frontier Mine Project is still considered highly significant.

Self Reliance

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is community wide; the magnitude is moderate; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. Because the impact from the Frontier Mine Project would now be on a strong link, and is likely, the residual effect from the project is considered of no notable effect or not significant.

Self-Determination and Leadership

The potential impacts from the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is expected to be negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is medium; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. Because the impact from the Frontier Mine Project would now be on a moderately strong link, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Cooperation

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. Because the impact from the Frontier Mine Project would now be on a strong link, and is likely, the residual effect from the project is considered of no notable effect or not significant.

Cohesion

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is community wide; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. However, because of the magnitude and importance of this effect,

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even though the link has been strengthened, the incremental impact of the Frontier Mine Project is still considered highly significant.

Faith

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. However, because of the magnitude and importance of this effect, even though the link has been strengthened, the incremental impact of the Frontier Mine Project is still considered highly significant.

Pride

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is medium and the geographic extent is local because no Fort McKay Métis families are currently harvesting from the Frontier Mine Project area, but other Fort McKay families are. The duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. Because the impact from the Frontier Mine Project would now be on a moderately strong link, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Happiness

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. Because the impact from the project would now be on a strong link, and is likely, the residual effect from the Frontier Mine Project is considered moderately significant.

Adaptability

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is high, the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected

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to increase. However, because of the magnitude and importance of this effect, even though the link has been strengthened, the incremental impact of the Frontier Mine Project is still considered highly significant.

Understanding Nature

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is high; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered highly important. Assuming all mitigations, protection measures and offset strategies are in place throughout the life of the project, the strength of this linkage is expected to increase. However, because of the magnitude and importance of this effect, even though the link has been strengthened, the incremental impact of the Frontier Mine Project is still considered highly significant.

Respect

The Frontier Mine Project will not directly affect the indicators associated with respect. However, offset strategies have the potential to strengthen this linkage such that the net effect of the project is considered positive.

Figure 9-4 illustrates the residual impact that the Frontier Mine Project will have on gathering plants if all recommendations are applied throughout the life of the project.

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Figure 9-4 Residual Impact of the Frontier Mine Project on Gathering Plants

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