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Seeing the Homeland and the Trees? First Nations/Environmentalist Relations mN'DaM MenanlTerndLgdimi 1986-1994 A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts Degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science Trent University Peterborough (Nogojiwanong), Ontario, Canada © Copyright by Alexandra M. Thomson 2010 Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies M.A. Graduate Program May 2010 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-64085-2 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-64085-2 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. ••I Canada ABSTRACT Seeing the Homeland and the Trees? First Nations/Environmentalist Relations in N'Daki MewWTemagami 1986-1994 Alexandra M. Thomson This thesis seeks to examine the strengths and tensions of the relationship between a First Nation and a group of environmentalists. By looking at the Temagami area in northeastern Ontario, this thesis considers the interactions between the Teme-Augama Anishnabai (TAA) and environmentalists involved in the logging and land rights issues from 1986-1994. The author used a grounded theory approach to analyze data from 24 interviews with people directly and indirectly involved in these issues. This work examines each group's stewardship philosophies and history as well as the political differences related to varying strategies and tactics. Personal relationships were sources of strength in the relationships, which were able to reconcile the differences in the political and philosophic arenas. The research also demonstrated that the relationships improved over time, through learning, growth and transformation, findings that are congruent with the literature. This thesis illustrates that conscientious attention to First Nations/environmentalists relationships is important for each group's success when asserting their positions on land rights and logging issues. Key words: Temagami, Temagami First Nation, Teme-Augama Anishnabai, Environmentalists, Relationships, Logging, Land Rights, Blockades, Stewardship, Wendaban, Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal Relationships, First Nations/Environmentalist Relationships, conflict transformation ii Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible without the help of my committed parents, my dedicated committee and the communities that I was involved with. Therefore, this thesis is dedicated to my parents, Andy and Mandy Thomson, as well as the men and women who participated in or organized the blockades in 1989 and those who continue to work towards peace and equitable land-use in the Temagami area/n 'Daki Menan, especially Bruce and Carol Hodgins. Bruce Hodgins my thesis supervisor, made this research possible with his vast knowledge of the history of the Temagami area/n 'Daki Menan. This research could not have moved forward, indeed would never had existed in this form without the advice, knowledge and wisdom gained from Bruce about the complex relationships in the area. Bruce's personal connections to many participants gave me the referral I needed to gain acceptance as a researcher in the Temagami area/n 'Daki Menan in the first place. Bruce's careful consideration of my draft chapters (and timely return!) made my writing and editing process very enriching and productive. Bruce's personal friendship has also been a source of strength for me. We have been able to share moments on the land and waters of Lake Temagami. The support and generosity of Bruce and Carol have helped me when I felt like giving up. Lynne Davis gave me the key theoretical and methodological guidance in which to move forward. Lynne has helped me navigate through the difficult terrain of community-based research. Her advice on ethical issues, on using grounded theory in my research, and on strategies for interviewing, coding and analyzing information has been invaluable. Lynne also introduced me to the literature about Aboriginal/non- Aboriginal relationships. Having never done community-based research, I must have been frustrating to work with at times. But Lynne showed patience and understanding towards me, and challenged me when I needed it. This thesis has only been possible because of the welcoming and acceptance of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai people and environmentally-involved folks who opened up their communities for me. I am grateful for Vicky Grant, for welcoming me to Bear Island, as well as the other members of the Negotiations Office, Joe Katt and Betty-Ann Turner. I am also thankful for being able to access some of their old files. Chiefs Alex Paul and John McKenzie, the leaders of the Joint Council at the time of my research, welcomed me as well. I am thankful for Melissa and Michael McCoy for welcoming me into their home. Many others welcomed me into the community including Linda Joe Mathias, Marty Pridham, Mary Katt, June Twain, Roxanne Ayotte, Rachel McKee, Lucille McKenzie and so many more that I can't name here. I am very grateful for all of those who agreed to do interviews with me. Thanks to Doug McKenzie and Gary Potts for reading over the draft manuscript. I am also thankful for the many environmentalists and conservation-minded people who welcomed me and my research. I'm grateful for Catharine Grant and Amber Ellis at Earthroots for sharing their historical files with me. Cocky Ingwersen and Peter McMillen (TAA), though I've never met them in person, provided me with ongoing support. I'm thankful to Brian Back for reading over the draft manuscript and suggesting changes, as well as providing a map of the area. I am also indebted to Brian's Ottertooth.com, a vast collection of knowledge about the Temagami area. I ui am grateful to every interview participant for opening up their memories to me, and sharing a part of their life. My parents were with me for every page of this thesis. From wake-up calls, to warm socks, from lending me the car, to providing financial support when the process took longer than expected, they have shown me love and support throughout. It is quite clear to me that this thesis would never have been written without their nurturing and support. Doing academic work with mental health issues is not easy, and my parents understood this better than anyone else. I am grateful to my entire Thomson and Taylor families for ongoing support and acceptance. Thanks especially to my brother Fraser for so much support and to Aunty Sherry Pavan for wake-up calls. There are so many other people who have been integral to this research process. John Milloy gave me a lot of input in the initial stages. Dan Longboat, John Wadland, David Newhouse, and Julia Harrison have all provided guidance along the way. Thanks to Winnie Janzen for so many favours. I want to acknowledge the Anishnaabe cultural knowledge that I have learned from many sources, including Vern Douglas, Nicole Bell, Liz Osawamick and Mary Katt. Thanks to Jocelyn Thorpe for showing me the ropes. I am so grateful to my many friends who supported me along this difficult process. Special thanks to Seamus Casey, Luana Munn, Beatrice Sze, Julia Murphy, Gisele Roy, John Marris as well as Becky & Anika Rosen for helping me structure Chapter 5! I am thankful to all my classmates in the CSIS M.A. Program. Thanks to my office buddies for that mutual encouragement and support. Thanks to Q. for the inspiration for this thesis. Thanks to Camp Towhee for providing me with the drive to get it finished! I want to say miigwetch to the water for nourishing me on those long nights. I want to thank the animals and plants that gave their life so that I could get sustenance. I want to also thank the plants that gave their life to make the office where I spent more than 1,000 hours in Wallis Hall. I want to thank the music I listened to for keeping my heart and soul going, long after they had been sacrificed in the name of getting this thesis written. I want to thank the Peterborough Unitarian Fellowship and Liz Osawamick's full moon ceremonies for giving life to my spirit. I want to thank my body for withstanding this difficult treatment and still being able to dance.