Strategy to Restore Namao Informed by First Nation Philosophy and Traditional Practices

I became involved in Advocacy a few years ago when a mining company gained government approval to explore within TCN's Resource Area, close to my family's traditional trapline, without consultation. We won that fight, but I learned of other severe, industry caused, environmental damage in our territory. One of these is the decline of the lake sturgeon (namao) in the Churchill River. Since construction of the Churchill River Diversion in 1976, which reduced the flow in the 500 km stretch after it by over 75%, and over the fifty years of operation since, the namao which thrived in abundance along the river's entire length for centuries, has seen a steady decline, now to the brink of extirpation. To understand the problem, and develop a possible plan for the recovery of the namao I turned to our elders, harvesters, and knowledge keepers. After learning how our people related to, and practiced stewardship while using the land, and the western perspective on development and resource use, I am working on a 'balanced' plan that can help the sturgeon recover and protect it from extirpation in the Churchill River, while still allowing Manitoba Hydro to produce electricity and make its profit. The plan includes control and regulation of how the CDR is operated, establishing a minimum flow into the Lower Churchill River, plus digging channels and establishing 'fish ladders' to allow the namao to reach their traditional spawning grounds, and continuation of the moratorium on harvesting namao set by Tataskweyak in 2005.

Methodology:

1. Through interviews with our elders, I studied our relationship with the land, our traditional practices, and our understanding of the namao. Some of the questions asked:

a)      What rules do our people follow to ensure sustainability of the environment?

b)      How did our traditional practices ensure the sturgeon survived and thrived?

c)      How were the teachings and accumulated knowledge preserved and passed on?

d)      How has the environment within our territory changed over the past fifty years?

e)      How have the ecosystems along the Churchill River changed over that time?

f)        How do we know?

g)      Who was keeping track?

h)      What evidence do we have?

i)         What changes can reverse damage done?

2. I Studied how the Churchill River Diversion works, and how its operation has impacted the ecosystems along the rivers and lakes affected. Some of the questions studied:

a)      How does the CDR work?

b)      What philosophy and priorities drive how the dam was built and how it is operated?

c)      How have water quality and ecosystems been affected?

d)      How has the dam affected the sturgeon’s habitat, their movement, their spawning grounds, and spawning activity?

e)      Has the distribution of sturgeons along the Churchill River changed over time?

f)        How many populations were there before the diversion? How many are there today?

g)      Who noticed the change over time? Are there stories or accounts recorded at TCN?

3. Through document reviews and interviews with researchers and local knowledge keepers, I explored what strategies that could help preserve the remaining sturgeon, and to help repopulate the river system over time.

4. I worked on a Possible Strategy to help the sturgeon recover before becoming extirpated and am Developing a communication strategy to educate the public; and to influence government and industry decision making.

What I learned from interviews with our elders is that there are a few fundamental differences between our "worldview" and the western "worldview" which can not only account for the damage done to our environment by western industry, but can also help to inform solutions to some of the problems we are now facing if considered together in designing strategies for moving forward.

Some Fundamental principles of our Indigenous Worldview.

1. Land is sacred, and it is where all resources to support life flows from.

2. Humans are part of nature, and we Belong to the Land; we do Not own it

3 Everything is cyclical, including time, so we must think in terms of consequences of our decisions

4 We are responsible using resources sustainably for the benefit of future generations

5 All Decisions that affect the community, the land, or the natural world must include consideration for the "Seventh Generation". In other words, "How will this decision affect the children born seven generations into the future?"

The Western Worldview.

1 Humans are separate and superior to all other species

2 The land and all its natural resources, including other species, are there for human exploitation. extraction, and use

3 Time is linear with a past present and future and decisions made are in the best interest of those making them for their own benefit

4 Priorities in resource use or management are Economic Development, Personal Gain, and Wealth accumulation

5 The perspective and values above lead to decisions that are individual, linear, and profit driven aimed at 'economic' development, often at the expense of long term environmental sustainability.

Construction and Operation of the Churchill River Diversion.

The completion of this dam in 1976 diverted over 80% of the flow from the Churchill River southward via the Rat-Burntwood River System and immediately flooded nearly 850 square kilometers of boreal forest around the Southern Indian Lake and along the diversion route. With its construction and 50-year operation driven strictly by the western philosophy above it has caused, and continues to cause significant environmental damage across Tataskweyak's territory as "side effects" of Manitoba Hydro's generation of electricity and profits. One of those effects is the devastation of the sturgeon population in the Churchill River. Other effects include the contamination of the Split Lake on which our community is situated to the point where the water is unsafe for consumption or swimming and the fist cannot be consumed.

The operation of the dam results in frequent flooding when water is 'released' washing out areas where ecosystems have begun to adapt, and then sudden dry downs stranding and killing fish ad other aquatic life. However, even now, examination of the system suggests that if environmental considerations are taken more seriously by integrating our Indigenous philosophy we can find a middle ground where the dam can continue to operate and the environment can begin to adapt and restore itself; Including the Namao in the Lower Churchill River!.

Discussion of Results:

From the results of my research, it is clear that:

The construction and operation of the Churchill River Diversion (CRD) have had devastating environmental impacts in our TCN territory.

One of these impacts was the drastic decline, and almost disappearance of the lake sturgeon in the Lower Churchill River.

With this development driven primarily by Manitoba Hydro's interests in efficiency and profits, I believe if the decision makers can be made to consider the bigger picture and the value of environmental protection and sustainability over the long term, indeed the Economic Value of a healthy environment, what they can learn from the indigenous perspective and traditional practice can lead to a middle ground which allows for industry development and profit generation along with a healthy environment for future generations. This could include survival, and recovery of the namao in the Lower Churchill River.

This plan would include:

Carefully Regulated operation of the CRD, requiring a minimum continuous flow to support survival of the sturgeon;

Sudden and drastic flooding and dry downs replaced by gradual raising and lowering at those peak times, and limited to two per year;

Development/maintenance of naturally forming sandy shallows that develop naturally as the river "adapts" to its new banks;

Digging channels and constructing "fish ladders" to help the namao find their way back to their traditional spawning grounds;

A program for ongoing monitoring and adjustment as needed.

The proposed plan I am developing is based on these principles.

The primary purpose for doing this research is not science fair. This is an ongoing project which I am doing for my community. The next steps include:

Completion of a balanced operation plan for the CDR which meets the needs of Manitoba Hydro while mitigating the impacts on the environment; and a communication plan to educate the public and inform decision making as Manitoba seeks a permanent extension of the CDR unrestricted 50 - year "interim" licence expiring this year!

Now finished grade 12 and Entering Environmental Science, this research will continue through my degree, before going on to environmental law.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people who contributed to my research for this project.

TCN Elders: Robert Spence; Eunice Beardy; Marcel Beardy; Michael D Garson; Ken Kitchekeesik; Joseph Kitchekeesik; Edwin Beardy; and Nathan Neckoway, who shared their wealth of knowledge about our history, culture, trditional practices, and world view.

Ian Halkett, Hydrologist; and Mark Lowden, Biologist, from AAE Tech Services for sharing their research on the Impact of the CDR on Namao, study commissioned by TCN

Dr. Garry Anderson, Fish Biologist, University of Manitoba, who allowed me into his lab and shared his knowledge of the lake sturgeon

AAE Tech Services Inc. (2025a). Technical summary report of Lake Sturgeon population assessment on the lower Churchill River. Report prepared for Tataskweyak Cree Nation.

AAE Tech Services Inc. (2025b). Technical summary report of adult Lake Sturgeon movements on the lower Churchill River from 2018 to 2024. Report prepared for Tataskweyak Cree Nation.

Bruch, R. M., & Binkowski, F. P. (2002). Spawning behavior of sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 18, 570–579.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). (2017). COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), Western Hudson Bay populations, Saskatchewan-Nelson River populations, Southern Hudson Bay-James Bay populations and Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence populations in Canada. Government of Canada.

Kerr, S. J., Davidson, M. J., & Funnell, E. (2010). A review of lake sturgeon habitat requirements and strategies to protect and enhance sturgeon habitat. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

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Tataskweyak Cree Nation