Interview Summary Interviewee: Ronnie Semansha Date: November 4, 2009 Location: Chateh Administration Office Interviewers: Kathrin Janssen, Adena Dinn “This [BC] is our traditional lands” -Ronnie Semansha Hunting and Trapping Ronnie hunts for moose in British Columbia (BC) near Kotcho Lake along the winter access road that spans from Rainbow Lake to Fort Nelson. He once shot a moose adjacent to Cabin Lake. He also uses the Sierra Yoyo Desan road and the winter access road that loops around Kotcho Lake for hunting. He takes this route once a week beginning on Friday afternoons when he is finished work. Ronnie also hunts in the area near Kwokullie Lake; he travels there via the winter access on the 31st baseline. Ronnie strictly hunts for moose in BC, and noted that there are hardly any caribou left. He explained that there used to be lots of caribou in BC but there has been a drop in recent times. Fishing Ronnie noted that there are pickerel in Kotcho Lake and explained that there are all different kinds of fish out there [BC]. Travel Routes Ronnie travels to BC using the winter access roads. He noted that there were two roads that he generally used, one from Rainbow Lake to Fort Nelson and one that cuts North to the Zama area (along the 31st baseline). When he does go out, other community members will often accompany him and everyone chips in a little for gas and supplies. However, he generally goes out for just one day and does not require supplies beyond fuel. Transcript 13 If he cannot travel to a certain area via the winter roads then Ronnie will often use a skidoo and the cutlines to access those areas. Ronnie also travels to the Petitot River on occasion. Sites Ronnie pointed out the location of a cabin at Kwokullie Lake. He explained that this is an old cabin that he saw while hunting in that area. He travelled there via the winter road that is located along the 31st baseline. Sacred Sites Ronnie explained that in the old days there was no way for the people travelling out on the land to transport the bodies of those that passed away back to Hay-Zama, so there are graves everywhere. Ronnie has only seen one grave on a hill in BC. This grave was located on a pipeline right of way and the route was changed and the grave marked. Traditional Knowledge Ronnie indicated that moose calve around Kotcho Lake in the spring. This is because there are willows surrounding the lake and that is the preferred calving habitat. They also like to stay near a water source during this time. Ronnie also noted that there is a moose migration through the area surrounding the Plant site in late July, August and September. During this part of their migration the moose head to the high ground that characterizes the Plant site. Ronnie explained that moose are generally more active in the morning just prior to daybreak and that is the best time to hunt. Ronnie stated that muskeg acts as a filter for water and explained that it soaks in all the contaminants. He noted that muskeg is good habitat for fox, lynx and marten. Observed Changes Ronnie has noted a drop in the number of caribou in recent years, he explained that there used to be a lot, but now there are hardly any left. Ronnie also noted that near wells and Plants there are often “salt spots” in the winter. These areas look like they are snow when actually the ground is not frozen and quads Transcript 13 can easily sink and get stuck. Ronnie explained that he avoids areas immediately surrounding industrial developments to avoid these ‘salt spots’. Ronnie explained that he used to trap but now finds it too far to go; he has a job with the Nation and does not have the time required for trapping regularly. Concerns Ronnie knows of a creek that flows from the Cabin Lake area into Kotcho Lake. He is concerned that the chemicals from the Plant could flow from that creek into Kotcho Lake and may eventually affect the Dene Tha’ downstream. He also notes that the creeks and lakes are used by fish for spawning and migration to the Hay River in the spring which could affect the DTFN food supply. He feels that this concern is especially relevant to the proposed Plant because it is in an area characterized as high ground, allowing chemicals to flow to the lower lying areas. Ronnie does not want freshwater issues for the Dene Tha’ downstream. Ronnie is also concerned that the chemicals from the Plant could kill the beavers. Ronnie feels that there is potential for bears to be affected by the Plant. He worries about bears being contaminated because some Dene Tha’ still eat bears and hunt them while travelling on the winter roads. He is also concerned that any berries in the vicinity of the plant site would become too dusty to eat. Ronnie has previously noted, while quading, berries near a Plant site being covered in dust from the roads that accompany this type of development and is concerned that this will be the case with the proposed Plant as well. Ronnie is also concerned that if the muskeg and trees that characterize the Plant site were removed, the animals would have no place to go. Ronnie also finds the increasingly restricted access in BC to be of concern. He noted that most places have signs indicating no trespassing, gates, and warnings about H2S. He understands the signs are necessary to warn people out on the land, but feels the Dene Tha’ need more access to their traditional territory; “There needs to be balance”. He is concerned that with more and more development there will be less and less access. Transcript 13 Interview Summary Interviewee: Steven Tsonchoke and Robert Tsonchoke Date: November 4, 2009 Location: Chateh Administration Office Translator: Robert Tsonchoke Interviewer: Adena Dinn, Kathrin Janssen Hunting and Trapping Steven is a registered trapper on British Columbia (BC) trapline #756T014, where he traps beaver and hunts moose. Steven explained that he used to trap with his brother and one other person but he is too old now to trap regularly and also only has winter access by vehicle. He trapped beaver at Kotcho Lake. He has previously trapped in northeastern BC for beaver, lynx and mink. Robert noted that he still goes out to BC every winter and hunts for moose most weekends. He travels there via the Sierra Yoyo Desan road to the Spruce Road, which takes him 5-6 hours one way. If he kills a moose before he gets there he turns back and heads home. Sites Steven identified a settlement site at the confluence of the Shekilie and the Hay Rivers. He noted that there are six burials at this location. Steven pointed out that burials and ceremonial sites are often located along rivers or adjacent to lakes. He noted that there is a burial around July Lake and another at Thinahtea Lake. Steven also identified the previous location of two cabins on his trapline; both of these cabins burned down. Transcript 14 Traditional Knowledge Robert indicated that there that there are a lot of caribou in the area near the proposed Plant site. Steven added that caribou roam in the swampy areas of northeastern BC and head north in the fall. Travel Routes Steven noted that in the past he would canoe along the Hay River and Kotcho River on the way to and from his trapline; the canoe was made from birch bark. The would generally head home from the trapline in the spring and would use the Hay River. Now Steven travels by vehicle using the “Powerline Road” which begins in Rainbow Lake. Observed Changes Robert explained that their trapline is still good for hunting, but things are changing because there are too many oil companies on the trapline. Concerns Steven has noted changes on the land. For example, there used to be a lot of moose in northeastern BC but now they need to go further south to hunt. Steven would like the logging to stop on the traplines. Steven explained that when a company drills the animals disappear and do not come back because they do not like the noise. He feels the Plant will lead to an increase in drilling. Transcript 14 Interview Summary Interviewee: Alex Wasp Colin Date: November 4, 2009 Location: Chateh Administration Office Interviewers: Kathrin Janssen, Adena Dinn Hunting and Trapping Alex hunts for moose in the area by Kotcho Lake via the winter access road that extends into British Columbia (BC) from Rainbow Lake. Alex always uses the access road to reach this area. He generally travels to BC with Ronnie Semansha approximately once a week. Alex has also hunted near Cabin Lake in the summer using the Sierra Yoyo Desan road and small access roads around Kotcho Lake. Alex noted that the area near the Plant site has a lot of moose. Fishing Alex noted that there are a lot of fish in Kotcho Lake, specifically jackfish. Travel Routes Alex generally travels to BC using the winter access road that originates in Rainbow Lake. However, he knows of another access road that cuts north from this road and loops around Kwokullie and Kotcho Lake. Alex always travels with other Nation members because he does not have a vehicle of his own. He noted that there are a lot of community members that travel to BC that he can go with.