Lakehead University Knowledge Commons,http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca Electronic Theses and Dissertations Electronic Theses and Dissertations from 2009 2017 First Nation observations and perspectives on the changing climate in Ontario's Northern Boreal: forming bridges across the disappearing "Blue-Ice" (Kah-Oh-Shah-Whah-Skoh Siig Mii-Koom) Golden, Denise M. http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/4202 Downloaded from Lakehead University, KnowledgeCommons First Nation Observations and Perspectives on the Changing Climate in Ontario’s Northern Boreal: Forming Bridges across the Disappearing “Blue-Ice” (Kah-Oh-Shah-Whah-Skoh Siig Mii-Koom). By Denise M. Golden Faculty of Natural Resources Management Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Sciences 2017 © i ABSTRACT Golden, Denise M. 2017. First Nation Observations and Perspectives on the Changing Climate in Ontario’s Northern Boreal: Forming Bridges Across the Disappearing “Blue-Ice” (Kah-Oh-Shah-Whah-Skoh Siig Mii-Koom). Ph.D. in Forest Sciences Thesis. Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario. 217 pp. Keywords: adaptation, boreal forests, climate change, cultural continuity, forest carbon, forest conservation, forest utilization, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous peoples, participatory action research, sub-Arctic Forests can have significant potential to mitigate climate change. Conversely, climatic changes have significant potential to alter forest environments. Forest management options may well mitigate climate change. However, management decisions have direct and long-term consequences that will affect forest-based communities. The northern boreal forest in Ontario, Canada, in the sub-Arctic above the 51st parallel, is the territorial homeland of the Cree, Ojibwe, and Ojicree Nations. Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is the political representative of these Nations that are signatories to treaties 5 (Ontario’s portion) and 9. The researcher and NAN collaborated to record observations of changes in the forest environment attributed to climate change and to share and exchange information and perspectives about climate change in 2011. Data were collected from members of ten NAN First Nations whose territorial land stretches across an area of ~110 800 km2. Forty-three individuals contributed to the data. These individuals represent political leaders, Elders, land users (hunters, trappers, fishers, and gatherers), community land use planning and winter road-making staff, and other community members. The research philosophy “CREE”— C=capacity building, R=respect, E=equity, and E=empowerment—underpinned the methodology, Participatory Action Research (PAR). The benefits and lessons learned in applying PAR from the research partnership are woven into the discussions. Climate change effects are occurring on NAN First Nation territorial land and these effects are explored through the Indigenous lens of “blue-ice”. Blue-ice is a term embedded in the Indigenous languages across the fieldwork area. Its presence on the land is linked to transportation in carrying out traditional activities on the land and the delivery of modern goods and services into these First Nation communities. The disappearance of blue-ice is affecting food and energy security. A term often used in the climate change discourse is adaptation. Yet the First Nation perception of “adaptation” is different than the Western concept and we reframed the term to reflect their Indigenous worldview. In the scientific literature much has been written on boreal forests and forest carbon sequestration with respect to climate change. First Nation ii perspectives and knowledge about climate change in their territories is limited in the literature. Northern NAN First Nations living in the boreal forest have a unique understanding of climate change effects and need to play a significant role in the development of climate change policy for Ontario’s northern boreal forest. Bridging Western and Indigenous knowledge and perspectives about climate change is necessary to formulate the best possible solutions to address climate change. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This has been a long journey—longer than anticipated. How does one fittingly acknowledge all the people who journeyed with me on this endeavour and who provided encouragement and support, big and small, consistently and when I needed it most? I could not have achieved my goal without them. I will be as concise as possible, but there are many people and a number of organizations to acknowledge. I begin with acknowledging those directly involved with my studies—my joint supervisors Dr. M.A. (Peggy) Smith and Dr. Steve Colombo, committee members Dr. R. Harvey Lemelin and Dr. Gary Bull. Steve Colombo took a leap of faith in agreeing to supervise me at the very beginning—when it mattered to enter into graduate studies. Since then, he has been a steadfast mentor who has encouraged me to strive for excellence. Steve shared his science acumen with patience and challenged my intellect to shape my research contribution in a quantitative mindset. His thorough, staunch critiques and attention to the details in my work, as well as his push for better synthesis, made me a better student. I will always think of him with a warm heartfelt smile. Over these years my sage and sounding board has been Peggy Smith. She has always been available when I needed guidance, calmly steering me through the quagmire that at times befalls a graduate student, and was a constant tutor to learn more and improve my writing. Her wisdom and counsel have been immeasurable. She is a role model for doing things differently with Canada’s First Peoples—the world needs innovators and change agents, and Peggy leads by example. I truly hope other graduate students have the good fortune to work alongside a supervisor like Peggy who has become both a colleague and good friend. Harvey Lemelin imparted invaluable lessons and support when needed. His insight on the far north and the people who live there is enormous. Harvey’s instructions in research methodologies led me to discovering a collaborative and respectful research approach with Indigenous peoples. His guidance before I headed into the sub-Arctic for three months was not only reassuring, he reaffirmed that the fieldwork I was about to embark upon was a researcher’s gift, in both the locations and the length of time I was able to be in the field. Gary Bull joined my committee in the early years. We began with a long distance conversation over coffee about the purpose and goals in what I wanted to achieve in my studies. Throughout the years, Gary was a strong supportive voice and his confidence in me to conduct the fieldwork will always be more than appreciated. iv The research would not have been possible without the collaboration of my research partner Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and, in particular, Carol Audet, former NAN Director of Land and Resources. Her tireless efforts in the design of the research project and assistance in implementing the fieldwork, particularly inviting First Nation communities to participate and obtain free, prior and informed consent, will not be forgotten. Also never to be forgotten are the research contributions made by the ten First Nations who welcomed me into their communities (in order of visits): Muskrat Dam First Nation, Weagamow/North Caribou Lake First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kingfisher Lake First Nation and Wunnumin Lake First Nation. The people I met and the individuals contributing to the research enriched my life. The names of individuals in the study willing to be acknowledged are listed at the end of this section. Lydia Big George, currently NAN Environment Manager for the Office of the Grand Chief, and Terry Wilson, former NAN Lands and Resources Policy Analyst, have been ardent advisors during the last leg of this journey. The conclusions in the dissertation are entirely my own and do not represent NAN’s interpretation of the research. The research was financially supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Northern Research Internship Program to undertake the fieldwork in the north, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant holder Dr. (M.A.) Peggy Smith, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) through Dr. Steve Colombo, Ontario Forest Research Institute (OFRI), Dr. R. Harvey Lemelin, Lakehead University SSHRC Research Chair in Parks and Protected Areas, and the Office of Graduate Studies, Lakehead University. An unexpected boost came in 2012 with a financial honorarium that was part of receiving Lakehead University’s Aboriginal Research Partnership Award. To the administrative staff, Eva and Lois-Ann, professors and fellow students in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, it has been a pleasure learning and working with you. Thank you for all the assistance and support over the years. The champions throughout this journey are my amazing loving family and dearest friends. There is no doubt that without them I would not have completed my studies. Joel and Manny, you are the greatest gifts in my life and my motivation to undertake this journey. Your presence in the world is the constant, unwavering reason I seek the key to making a difference. Through you, I learned the purposefulness of my life and the wonders of being in the world. You made images more fluid and colours more vivid, the soil gurgled, and water squished to the sound of your drum. You are the bridge to six generations in my living v memory—the lineage of over 100 years. Seeing time from that vantage point sparks the deeper understanding that caring for seven generations is binding and obtainable. Throughout my studies, you were there repeatedly when I needed you. There are few words, if any, that could describe what is in my heart. A woman could not ask for more in her life than having you as her sons or the privilege of knowing two remarkable human beings.