Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

A/OFRC presents at UCCM Conference

 Elder Gordon Waindubence shares his TEK knowledge with conference participants during a special moment at the "Our Relations" conference in Whitefish River First Nation - "Place of Visions & Dreams"

United Chiefs & Councils of Manitoulin Island (UCCM) recently hosted a conference in Whitefish River First Nation, February 9th & 10th/10, that focussed on nurturing relations between government & industry with First Nations. With "The Duty to Consult" now mandatory, many companies as well as federal and provincial ministries are looking for better ways of developing positive relationships and partnerships with indigenous peoples. This conference was a way to assist in this process.

Ontario Regional Grand Chief Angus Toulouse, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation Patrick Madahbee and Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs ADM Deborah Richardson were just a few of the many speakers who presented at the conference. A/OFRC Community Liaison Specialist Perry McLeod-Shabogesic was also on hand to present the history of the A/OFRC and how it can be  model for others to follow.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Great lakes Power, Northland Power, Lafarge Canada, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Hydro One, etc... were just a few of the governments and industries represented at the conference. 

 Perry McLeod-Shabogesic takes the audience through a powerpoint presentation highlighting the events leading up to the creation of the A/OFRC as well as it's history of relationship building with Anishinabek communities.  

Update on Asian Carp

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Photo 

The term “Asian carp” actually refers to 4 individual species that have recently been introduced to North America; the silver, bighead, black, and grass carps. The bighead, and silver carps became established in the Mississippi River after escaping aquaculture facilities in the early 1990s, and are now threatening to invade Lake Michigan. If they reach the Great Lakes, these carps pose a legitimate threat to native fish populations. These carps are expected to out-compete native species because of their ability to proliferate and consume large amounts of plankton. They are known to grow to more than a metre long, and weigh as much as 40 kilograms. The silver carp is the more famous of the two, often shown on video leaping out of the water to heights of 2 metres or more. These carp jump wildly when disturbed by the sound of outboard motors, creating a significant hazard for recreational boaters.

Shipping locks near Chicago are all that presently separate the Asian carps from Lake Michigan, as DNA evidence has suggested that they have breached electronic fish barriers upstream. The state of Michigan is being supported by five other states and the province of Ontario, in seeking a court injunction to have these locks permanently closed.

What can you do?

Although it may seem like a small thing, you can help prevent the spread of Asian carp and other aquatic invaders to inland lakes, by never transferring live baitfish from one waterbody to another. Many native fisheries have been negatively altered forever through this common practice.

For further information on the spread of the Asian carp and other exotic species visit the Great Lakes Fishery Commission website at: www.glfc.org 

A/OFRC presents gifts to MNR Minister Donna Cansfield

During a community awards event in Toronto, A/OFRC Community Liaison Specialist and member of Nipissing First Nation, Perry McLeod-Shabogesic presented to (then) Minister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield, an original painting and a number of other gifts for her work

 

Anishinabek Meet in Sault Saint Marie

Former A/OFRC Chairperson and now Anishinabek Grand Council Chief, Patrick Madahbee (above) addresses Chiefs and delegates at a governance meeting (below) discussing the protection of Aboriginal rights, including natural resources.

  

 

A/OFRC shows off in Hamilton

A/OFRC Community Liaison Specialist Perry McLeod-Shabogesic is joined by Six Nation's members Candy Martin, Taylor Martin, Fawn Porter, Taz Monsell and Ash-Lynn Sloat during Education Day at the Aboriginal Festival & Trade Show in Hamilton November 27th - 29th/09

Over 9,000 students from across the Hamilton area converged on to Copps Colosseum for the annual Education Day at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival & Trade Show November 27, 2009. Education Day kicks off the annual 3-day Canadian Aboriginal Festival each year.

The day was organized with the assistance and support of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, the Ontario Teachers Federation, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, Indian and Northern Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Hydro One. 

The students from Hamilton and surrounding areas had a number of topic options from the thirty teaching stations in the coliseum ranging from fisheries, culture/heritage, traditional games, dancing and more.  

All of the teachings are directly tied to the school curriculum for Native Studies through the use of teaching guides prepared by the Aboriginal Teachers Committee of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. 

The A/OFRC was one of many booths set-up to help educate students who normally are not exposed to Indigenous cultures.

 

Over 9,000 Hamilton students crammed Copps Colosseum to learn about First Nations, culture, history and current issues 
   

 

A/OFRC 2009 Annual Report Available for Download

 
We are pleased to announce that our 2009 Annual Report is now available as a PDF document here.

Copies have already been forwarded to all 41 Anishinabek Nation Communities (via Chief and Council). 

We are pleased at the response that last year's report generated and hope that this year's report is as warmly received.

Previous Annual Reports (for years 2005 to 2008) are available under "Our Reports and Products".

If you have any questions regarding the content of this report or our program, please contact Ed Desson, A/OFRC General Manager.

Spanish River Meeting brings people together

Sagamok Anishinawbek members Alexis Rivers (Gr. 8), Lexi Southwind (Gr. 8), Ray Owl (Elder/Councilor), Majorie Owl (Biidaaban Kinoomaagagamik School Principal), Zachary Mandamin (Gr. 7) and Drew Boissoneau (Gr. 7) joined the other residents of the Spanish River area at the meeting

Over 40 people attended the information sharing session at the Spanish Harbour/River Meeting held at the Pinewood Inn in Espanola October 27th, 2009.  Bill McKenna, Chair of the "Friends of the Spanish River" welcomed Anishinabek members, scientists and concerned citizens to the gathering where discussion on the health of the harbour/river dominated the day.

The gathering hosted 9 presentations on various reports on the Spanish Harbour/River, including Bruce McGregor of Sagamok Anishinawbek who presented "Spanish River Fisheries Assessments Since 2004" partnered with the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre.

 

Area residents came together to share dialogue on the health of the Spanish Harbour/River

The Health of the Spanish River to be Discussed at Upcoming Meeting

 

The impact of industry and human pressure will be explored at an upcoming  Spanish Harbour/River Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, October 27 from 9:45 am to 4:00 pm in the Georgian Room of the Pinewood Motor Inn, Espanola

Excerp from the Mid-North Monitor...

Residents along the Spanish River and anyone else interested in the health of the major waterway are invited to attend a special meeting to find out how healthy the Spanish River really is.

Back in 1983, there was a major spill in the lower Spanish River, caused by an ‘accidental’ sewage spill from the pulp and paper mill in Espanola, which was owned by EB Eddy Limited at the time. The spill literally destroyed the river eco-system with thousands of dead fish heaped in front of the gates of the mill a day or two after the spill. The reaction to it was loud, vocal and led to many changes in environmental legislation, much of which has been implemented nearly three decades later. continued...

Upcoming Commercial Fisheries Workshop - Dokis First Nation

Dokis First Nation will be hosting a Commercial Fisheries Workshop October 13th & 14th 2009.

With its unique open delivery style and opportunity to experience netting in the field, the Commercial Fisheries Workshop has become the A/OFRC's most popular workshop communities have requested in the last few years.  Credit for its popularity rests in part with participants who are considering a commercial fishing enterprise, or who wish to augment their fisheries knowledge having access to the wealth of experience and traditional knowledge of Elder Harold Michon of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation.  With the assistance of A/OFRC staff, Harold conducts down to earth round table discussions regarding ethical fish practices, harvesting techniques and is open to questions regarding his years of commercial fishing experience and knowledge of lake structures and commercially fished species. 

The Dokis workshop will allow participants to get out on the water with experienced staff to set and lift nets.  Best use of mesh sizes and how to read lake structures will be demonstrated and discussed.  A session and exercise in using and understanding GPS technology and its application in fishing will complete the two day event.

There may be a few spots available for this workshop, please contact the Dokis First Nation Band Office at (705) 763-2200 for more information.  There is no cost for community members to attend.

The workshop agenda is can be viewed here: Download Commercial Netting Workshop Agenda.

Two Exciting Employment Opportunities!

The first is a unique one-year employment opportunity for an experienced Fisheries Biologist.  The successful applicant will utilize their experience to provide project design, data analysis and to report results to First Nation communities within the Anishinabek Nation territory.  This position will be based out of our North Bay office but some travel throughout the Huron/Superior regions as well as southern Ontario will be required.

 

Information on how to apply for this position and the required qualifications can be found here Download Contract Fisheries Bio job ad.

 

Also, we are pleased to announce an opportunity for a permanent full-time Senior Fisheries Biologist.  This position will be responsible for overseeing fisheries data collection in a supervisory/quality assurance role and provide leadership to junior staff.  This position will be based out of our North Bay office, but duties will be focused on providing services to First Nation communities in the Michipicoten to Thunder Bay area including Lake Nipigon.  This position will require extensive travel.

 

Information on how to apply for this position and the full list of qualifications can be found here Download Senior Fisheries Bio job ad.