ISSUE/ Lands VOL. Lands & Resources Department Contact: 02 Beausoleil First JULY Newsletter Lands Manager 2012 Nation Jennifer Copegog – ext. 242 11 O’Gemaa Miikan [email protected] This Issue Christian Island, ON FNLMA Signatory Celebration Pg.1 L9M 0A9 Lands Finance Clerk Jane Copegog-Marsden – ext. 254 Historical Tidbit Pg.3 Phone: Our Mission FNLM Regime Info Pg.4 [email protected] (705) 247-2051 Statement FNLMA Youth Essay Pg.6 Environmental Specialist The Beausoleil First First Nations & the Crown Pg.7 Mike Smith – ext. 234 [email protected] Nation Lands Resource Management Pg.8 Department is Invasive Species Pg.10 Environmental Student Trainee dedicated to the Hillary Smith membership of BFN celebrates the signing of the First Nation Lands Beausoleil First Nation [email protected] Management Act Chief Roland Monague and Jennifer – present & future. Copegog, Lands Manager addressed the We will respect our Back in January 2012, it was crowd and gave a historical review of lands. We will do so proudly announced that the Beausoleil the Lands Program (how Beausoleil First First Nation would become one of the Nation has evolved and grown under the by providing the newest signatories to the First Nation different Land Regimes – RLAAP, RLEMP, Lands & Resources Newsletter Issue 02, Vol. 02 July, 2012 highest quality of Lands Management Act. The official 53/60 Delegation and now FNLM). Adhesion Ceremony was actually held in Leona Irons, on behalf of NALMA also service using the most Ottawa in April 2012 in which Beausoleil provided information on a working effective lands First Nation Chief Roland Monague and relationship that has spanned many management practices Jane Copegog-Marsden, Lands Finance years. Bill McCue on behalf of the Land Clerk were in attendance. However, in Advisory Board gave an overview of while maintaining and an effort to bring this wonderful news FNLM and his experience working on respecting the vision to the entire community, the Lands behalf of the Lands Advisory Board. Sophie Redecki on behalf of AANDC also of our community. Department hosted a community celebration on June 21, 2012. praised the working relationship that has developed over the years and The event was opened by Maxine offered her congratulations on behalf of Shawongonabe who performed a hand- the Federal Government. Midland drum song and opening prayer. Two Mayor, Gord McKay presented the teenagers from the community also Beausoleil First Nation with a plaque provided speeches on how FNLM would commemorating the special occasion. impact future generations. Island The event was capped off with a light Princess Kallie Copegog and Connor luncheon and social. Sunday are being praised for their wonderful and insightful words. Island Prince Gavin King was not present for the ceremony, but has provided his speech, located on Page 6. Connor Sunday summed it up well when he said Beausoleil First Nation “as we celebrate Solidarity Day 11 O’Gemaa Street together, we should take time to be Christian Island, ON proud of ourselves and this awesome L9M 0A9 achievement which took us many years to accomplish.” www.chimnissing.ca More photos on following page… 1 Effects of Continuing… Common Reed / Phragmites Invasive Phragmites Phragmites Australis is a perennial Grass that was transported from Eurasia and is Loss of biodiversity and causing severe damage to coastal wetlands and beaches in North America. In 2005 species richness: Invasive Agriculture and Agri - Food Canada identified it as the nation’s “worst” invasive Phragmites causes a decrease plant species. in biodiversity by creating monoculture stands. Phragmites was first introduced along the eastern seaboard but has since been Phragmites stands crowd out identified and located further west and north of the original point. In Ontario, native vegetation and hinder invasive Phragmites has been identified across the southern part of the province, native wildlife from using the with scattered occurrences as far north as Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. Invasive area, resulting in a decrease in both plant and animal Phragmites is currently sold through the horticultural trade as an ornamental plant biodiversity. and spreads through various methods, including by wind and water. Stands of invasive Phragmites decrease biodiversity and destroys habitat for other Loss of habitat: Monoculture Phragmites species, including Species at Risk. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources works stands result with several partners towards controlling and managing invasive Phragmites t in a decrease in available australis. natural habitat and food Much of the biomass of invasive Phragmites is found underground, in an intricate supply for various wildlife species, which may include system of roots and rhizomes. This aggressive plant grows and spreads easily, Species at Risk. Invasive quickly out-competing native species for water and nutrients. Invasive Phragmites Phragmites stalks are rigid releases toxins from its roots into the surrounding soil which impedes the growth of and tough, and do not allow and even kills off neighboring plants. It thrives in disturbed habitats and is often for wildlife to easily navigate through or nest in a stand. among the first species to colonize a new area. This plant prefers areas of standing water but the roots can grow to extreme lengths allowing the plant to survive in Changes in hydrology: low water areas. Invasive Phragmites is sensitive to high levels of salinity, low Invasive Phragmites displays very high metabolic rates, oxygen conditions, and drought, all of which can limit the viability of seeds or which can lead to changes in rhizome fragments. the water cycles of a system. Monoculture stands of invasive Phragmites have the ability to lower water levels, as water is transpired at a faster rate than it would be in an area of native vegetation. Changes in nutrient cycling: Invasive Phragmites stalks are made of a very inflexible structural material which breaks down very slowly. This slows the release of nutrients and leaves a high proportion of recalcitrant biomass (carbon) in the standing dead stalks. Increased fire hazards: A stand of invasive Phragmites is composed of a high percentage of dead stalks, with a lower percentage of live growth. Dead stalks are dry and combustible, Life Cycle of Invasive Phragmites increasing the risk of fires. In general, growth of invasive Phragmites follows these timelines however exact timing will be site-dependent: Economic and social impacts: Invasive species such as Phragmites can have many Dormant: November–March negative effects on economic Germination: April–May and social issues. Effects on Primary vegetative growth: June–July agriculture and crops can lead to economic losses, while Flowering: August–September monoculture stands can Translocation of nutrients: September–October affect property values, and raise aesthetic concerns. 2 11 Historical Tidbit Garlic Mustard This excerpt was taken from a historical document held within the archives of the Beausoleil First Nation Administration. The document was entitled “A History of Christian Island and Our People” compiled by the pupils of the R.C. School – 1967. We will attempt to put in an excerpt every issue for your reading pleasure. Garlic mustard is a biennial herb in the mustard family. Plants can range in height from 15 centimeters to over one meter in height. It has four petalled white flowers that form at the end of the stem. Seeds are black, oblong and found in rows within a long narrow capsule called a silique. Seed dispersal is primarily through human activities and other animals. Seed production can exceed 62,000 per square meter. Seeds are dormant at maturity and require a cold period to germinate. Seeds can germinate up to six years after production. Crushed leaves and stems of this plant give off a distinctive garlic odor. Garlic mustard is considered to be one of the most invasive exotic plants in Canada. It thrives in rich, moist upland forests and wooded stream-banks. It is shade tolerant, and readily invades deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, disturbed areas such as roadsides, trail edges and gardens. Its ability to form dense monocultures affects indigenous wildflower populations. Once garlic mustard moves into an area, it steals away available light, water and space from plants like wild ginger, bloodroot, toothwort, trilliums, and other native flowers, as well as choking out forest understory growth. Without sufficient understory growth to replace the existing forest, the long term health of the forest is threatened. Garlic mustard is one of the threats that have placed two species of woodland plants, designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), at risk. Both the wood poppy (endangered) and the wood aster (threatened) are at stake. But it’s not just flowers – garlic mustard is also toxic to butterflies, which perform important functions in the ecosystem, like plant pollination. The Huron Fringe Forest, the band of forested area that runs parallel to the Lake Huron shoreline has shown signs of invasion by garlic mustard. Simcoe County has been showing signs of Garlic mustard and is intensifying. Light infestations of garlic mustard can be controlled by hand pulling. Plants should be pulled before seeds have ripened. Care must be taken that the entire root is removed and disturbance to the soil is minimal. Do not compost this plant. Seeds can remain dormant in the compost and re-germinate