Course:FRST370/2021/Asatiwisipe Aki, Manitoba, Canada: Community Forestry for the Conservation of Environment and Culture
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Asatiwisipe Aki is a community forest in Manitoba, Canada. At 807, 650 hectares in size, it protects the boreal forest and wetlands of a large portion of the eastern shoreline of Lake Winnipeg's north basin, the fifth-largest freshwater lake in Canada (Government of Manitoba, 2011; Manitoba Wildlands, 2007). A notable example for nature-based solutions to climate change, the area is managed largely by Poplar River First Nation (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020). The management plan, approved under the East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act, was one of the first park reserves to be nominated for protection by a First Nation community under the Act (CBC News, 2011, June 16) and Poplar River First Nation was the first community to receive approval for their management plan under the Act (Government of Manitoba, 2011). Asatiwisipe Aki is one of the first Traditional Territory to be permanently protected from development (CBC News, 2011, June 16).
Key words: Asatiwisipe Aki, Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan, Affected stakeholders, Interested stakeholders, Lake Aggasiz, Ecology, Community Forestry
Description
Asatiwisipe Aki is a community forest in Manitoba, Canada. At 807, 650 hectares in size, it protects the boreal forest and wetlands of a large portion of the eastern shoreline of Lake Winnipeg's north basin, the fifth-largest freshwater lake in Canada (Government of Manitoba, 2011; Manitoba Wildlands, 2007). Seen as a notable example for nature-based solutions to climate change, the area is managed largely by Poplar River First Nation (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020). The management plan, approved under the East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act, was one of the first park reserves to be nominated for protection by a First Nation community under the Act (CBC News, 2011, June 16), and Poplar River First Nation was the first community to receive approval for their management plan under the Act (Government of Manitoba, 2011). Asatiwisipe Aki is one of the first Traditional Territories to be permanently protected from development (CBC News, 2011, June 16).
Asatiwisipe Aki is intended to preserve the ecological significance of the area and aid in passing traditional ecological knowledge onto new generations (Government of Manitoba, 2011). In managing Asatiwisipe Aki, Poplar River First Nation recognizes and promotes the need for balance between human needs from the land (i.e., sustenance) and the intrinsic rights of the natural environment (Carreau, 2019, June 15).
Asatiwisipe Aki is a component of the larger Pimachiowin Aki UNESCO World Heritage Site. Components of the bundle of rights are described under their respective categories (ex. "exclusion rights" is described under "Management Laws, Provisions, and Policies".
History
Ecological History
The region is greatly influenced by the glacial Lake Aggasiz (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The debris left behind by the ancient lake formed many of the geographical features of Manitoba. 7700 years ago the glacial activity causing flooding and draining stabilized and left behind Lake Winnipeg and the other great lakes of the region which contribute to the identity of the local peoples (Buchner, 1990). As the lake shrunk into the current state of lake aggregates, debris from the glacial till was left behind creating bogs, open beaches, and a series of wetlands and rivers. Remnants of the ancient lake can still be seen in ridges and beaches of sand and pebbles across the lake region (Buchner, 1990).
Treaty 5 and Poplar River First Nation
Poplar River First Nation lands were identified under Treaty 5 although they did not regain complete sovereignty until recently. Families of five were granted 160 acres of land which was considerably less than the amount of land allocated to families under previous treaties (Coates & Morrison, 2010). This was due to the assumption that peoples in the northern lands would not require as much land, seeing they would not be creating farms and therefore required smaller reserves. After the signing of Treaty Five, it became clear the interests of the affected first nations were not taken into consideration.
Park and Governance History
Historically, parks had been established for the promotion of tourism and recreational purposes, rather than environmental or ecological preservation (Carreau, 2019, June 15). In the 1960's, concern increased surrounding ecologically sensitive areas and their conservation. This concern sparked interest in park creation, reflected in the boom in park creation in Manitoba in the 1960's. However, despite the increased interest in preserving these ecological areas, little to no consultation was done by the Province of Manitoba with Indigenous Peoples regarding planning or management. It wasn't until the early 2000's, that the Province of Manitoba and the federal government of Canada began looking to increase collaborations with local Indigenous communities (Carreau, 2019, June 15).
Prior to Asatiwisipe Aki, the area was protected as Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve, a 777, 270 hectare area intended to protect ecologically and culturally significant areas, as well as protect woodland caribou habitat (Manitoba Wildlands, 2007; Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative, n.d.; Park Reserves, n.d.). The park reserve was created in 1999 at the appeal of Poplar River First Nation. Because the title of "Park Reserve" is not permanent, it had to be renewed every five years. This short tenure cycle was intended to allow Poplar River First Nation to draft a management plan for the Traditional Territory of Poplar River First Nation (Park Reserves, n.d.). Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve was renewed in 2004 and 2009.
Under the 2009 The East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act, First Nations were able to create management plans and protect their Traditional Territory (Park Reserves, n.d.). When Poplar River First Nation's Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan was approved under the Act, they were the first First Nation community to have their Traditional Territory protected under the Act.
Once approved in June of 2011, Asatiwisipe Aki Traditional Use Planning Area replaced the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve. Asatiwisipe Aki is slightly larger than the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve, expanding to include land to the east and waters of Lake Winnipeg to the west, including Little George Island Ecological Reserve (Park Reserves, n.d.).
Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystem Disturbances
Asatiwisipe Aki protects one of the last large areas of intact boreal forests in the world (Manitoba Wildlands, 2007). The forest stands within Asatiwisipe Aki is predominantly jack pine (Pinus banksiana), fir, tamarack (Larix laricina), and black spruce (Picea mariana)(Manitoba Wildlands, 2007; Park Reserves, n.d.). The aspen hardwood and mixedwood forests - for which Poplar River is named - are located principally along the rivers' shorelines from Weaver Lake to Lake Winnipeg (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), one of the most common poplar species in the region, is typically found in close proximity to the shorelines (Manitoba Wildlands, 2007). Land cover also includes marsh lands, peat bogs, and exposed rock/granite areas (Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative, n.d.; Park Reserves, n.d.).
Native fauna to Asatiwisipe Aki includes woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative, n.d.). The Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion, of which Asatiwisipe Aki is a part of, provides habitat for approximately 300 bird species, including culturally important species (ex. bald eagles) and hunted species (ex. Canada goose, ruffed grouse) (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Fish native to the waterways include ecologically and culturally significant fish such as the shortjaw cisco (Coregonus zenithicus) (Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative, n.d.).
The woodland caribou, an ecologically and culturally important species, has habitat protected within the management area (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Woodland caribou are considered a species at risk and are listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as of 2003. They are recommended for listing as a threatened species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2002.
Common biotic ecosystem disturbances in the forest stands include jack pine budworm, larch sawfly, spruce budworm, forest tent caterpillar (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Abiotic disturbances include flooding from rivers, windthrow, and, most principally, wildfire. Over the past 120 years, wildlife has impacted greater than 95% of the region. The importance of natural wildfire within Asatiwisipe Aki was demonstrated in the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan through reference to the Manitoba Forestry Branch's fire mapping (1920 - present) (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Because of wildfire's importance as an ecological disturbance, active wildfire suppression is not regularly carried out, apart from limited use around culturally significant areas.
Tenure and Administrative Arrangements
Asatiwisipe Aki is managed per the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan, focused on the preservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage. The area is protected under wilderness and backcountry land use designations, limiting the area to those activities which do not compromise the environmental area nor traditional/culturally significant areas (Kalman, 2014).
The Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan builds upon earlier management planning from Poplar River First Nation and precedent from similar initiatives from First Nations in other parts of Canada (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The preparation of the management plan included research on community history, traditional knowledge, conversations with Elders, land use studies, archaeological studies, and megafauna tracking. Implementation of the management plan is guided by the Asatiwisipe Aki Ma Ma Wichitowin (the "Board").
The management of Asatiwisipe Aki is complimentary to management of nearby areas that are part of a Protected Areas Accord between Poplar River, Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids, and Pikangikum First Nations (Poplar River First Nation, 2011).
Management Laws, Provisions, and Policies
Certain management laws, provisions, and policies are detailed within the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan, including for hunting, fishing, and development (Poplar River First Nation, 2011).Traditional practices govern use of the management area, going above and beyond provincial requirements (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Examples of these include:
Access
While some use of off-road vehicles is permitted within the management area, generally, human activity and development that disturbs habitat, burial sites, archaeological sites, or archaeological artifacts are prohibited. Access to visitors is permitted and there are intentions to further develop ecotourism, including constructing designated camping areas along Poplar River. There are select sites for air access for wilderness canoeing to help minimize disturbance.
Hunting
In Asatiwisipe Aki, no meat of any wild animal can be sold. Hunting for sport, recreation, or trophy hunting is prohibited. Specific policies are established for various species and orders:
Moose: The moose hunting policy is established by the Board, and the community works alongside the Province of Manitoba to conserve moose populations. Within Asatiwisipe Aki, moose season is limited to fall and winter, with a maximum of one moose per hunter and their immediate family. However, if meat is to be shared with extended family members, community members, or Elders, the bag limit can be increased. Any moose harvested must be reported to the Band Office with a location of the harvest. Moose meat is not allowed to be sold, wasted, nor abandoned. Female cow moose can not be hunted at any time within Asatiwisipe Aki unless it is critical to the survival of the hunter.
Woodland caribou: Generally not hunted due to concerns about the state of the current population, woodland caribou can only be taken in fall or winter if no other alternative food sources are available. Any harvested woodland caribou must be reported to the Band Office with a location of the harvest.
Black bears: Not allowed to be harvested nor hurt because of their cultural and spiritual significance. While an emphasis on proper garbage disposal methods is reinforced, including a policy that waste is to be packed out of remote areas, it is acknowledged that problem black bears may need to be addressed. In this case, black bears that may be a problem are to be humanely killed.
Waterfowl and bird hunting: Waterfowl and bird hunting, including upland species, are limited to sustenance hunting. Asatiwisipe Aki's management plan includes provisions protecting species of concern and those which were not traditionally hunted for food by Anishinaabeg. The management plan follows The Endangered Species Act and the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Trapping
Sustenance trapping is carried out under Traditional laws, including adaptive policies that recognize population cycles and impacts from other disturbances. Commercial trapping must follow both provincial policies and procedures as well as Traditional knowledge. Trap lines for both sustenance and commercial gains must be regularly maintained and checked to prevent wasting.
Fishing
The Board and the management plan regulate net harvesting, and the state of the fisheries is assessed through observations and guidance from Elders to protect populations, including a specific conservation strategy for sturgeon. Fishing for food is permitted during all seasons on Traditional lands. Any commercial harvesting must follow government policies and quotas, and Poplar River's fish processing plant operates per government standards.
Through prohibitions on impounding or altering water systems for hydroelectric development or water management, the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan aims to protect fish populations.
Nature Resource Management and Extraction Policies
Fire management is a substantial component to Asatiwisipe Aki's management plan. Naturally occurring fires are generally left to burn; however, active fire suppression is supported around culturally important areas.
No commercial forestry is allowed to take place on Traditional lands, nor mineral extraction or mineral exploration. Firewood may be used for personal use; however, harvesting of firewood must not be wasteful. Firewood (fuelwood) cutting areas are rotated on temporal periods with sanctions against non-compliers. Where firewood is harvested, trees must be completed harvested to the ground, including the stump, in an effort to prevent injury to snowmobilers.
Affected Stakeholders
[Describing the social actors that are affected stakeholders in Asatiwisipe Aki, focusing on power relationships and the objectives set by each actor. ]
Poplar River First Nation
Poplar River First Nation, located approximately 400 kilometers north-northwest from Winnipeg, is situated on the east side of Lake Winnipeg on Poplar River Reserve #16 on Treaty 5 Territory (Poplar River First Nation, 2011; Pawlowska, 2013). Located within Asatiwisipe Aki, Poplar River First Nation is situated at the outflow of the Poplar River into Lake Winnipeg (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Poplar River First Nation has a population of approximately 1200 people, with 900 people living on Poplar River Reserve #16 (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The community does not have an all-season road: it is accessible via air flights, or boat/barge during the summer, or an ice road during the winter (Pawlowska, 2013; Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The remoteness of the community is highly valued by community members of Poplar River First Nation (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). Poplar River First Nation is interested in maintaining traditional ways of life and preserving the environment (Poplar River First Nation, 2011; Pawlowska, 2013). Affected stakeholders within Poplar River First Nation include the Elders, commercial fishers and trappers, tourism industry stakeholders, Land Guardians, and members of the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Board (Poplar River First Nation, 2011).
Elders
The Elders of the Poplar River First Nation recall a variety of preservation goals in the 2011 Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan. Each account describes how the people are intertwined with the land and depend on resources such as fish, berries, medicinal plants, and materials from hunting (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The Elders also explain the importance of protected areas in order to keep traditions alive for each family and for new generations. Visiting traplines, and gathering as a community to smoke fish are just some of the aspects of life that Poplar River First Nation Elders are hoping to preserve through the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan.
Commercial Fishing and Trapping
Both fishing and trapping traditions are considered vital to the survival of the Poplar River First Nation communities. Today, these practices contribute to the local economy leading to a population of people directly relient on the land for their livelihoods. Currently, people engaging in these trades in the area must follow the traditional laws of the First Nation which are designed to preserve the resources of the land for future generations. Trappers must regularly maintain traplines to ensure the intended target is being trapped while fishers bust release sturgeon and other fragile species (Poplar River First Nation, 2011). The protection of the land ensures that man made disturbances are not altering the populations of important species.
Tourism Industry
There have been efforts from community members to expand into ecotourism. While ecotourism is regarded as a good fit within the management aspects of Asatiwisipe Aki, the development of ecotourism is a slow process, largely because there is no tourism education on the Board (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). As a result, interested community members have to pursue their own education about the tourism industry. Because there is little experience within the community surrounding the development of an ecotourism business, the community is looking to potential partners in development stages. Additionally, the community is looking to find more canoe operators to help expand backcountry opportunities.
Interested Stakeholders
Interested stakeholders include groups and actors outside the community whose objective and powers may influence the management of Asatawisipe Aki, whether directly or indirectly, as a result of their vested interests in the region. There are a multitude of outside interested stakeholders when it comes to the Asatiwisipe Aki community forest, including the different levels of government of the province and the country, as well as natural resource companies which are barred from extraction rights within the management area.
Government Stakeholders: Manitoba Provincial Government and Canadian Federal Government
Within the province of Manitoba, the provincial government is responsible and plays an important role with the funding that occurs and are part of the management plans created related to forest activities. While the Province of Manitoba was an important component of the original Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve, they have largely stepped back as a result of the establishment of the The East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Now, under the Act, Asatiwisipe Aki includes all Traditional Territory of Poplar River First Nation through legislative protection, and any changes to this must be done through changes to the Act. Under the current Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, the province has remained neutral on all issues within Asatiwisipe Aki, granting greater autonomy of the region to Poplar River First Nation. While the Province of Manitoba has not formerly withdrawn the term "Crown Forest", Poplar River First Nation holds first refusal rights for all issues occurring within Asatiwisipe Aki. According to an anonymous internal source (personal communication, November 25, 2021), if conflict arises within Asatiwisipe Aki, the Province of Manitoba does not hold rights to settle any disputes or conflicts. They must hire an outside arbitrator or consultant to resolve the disputes under their land working groups.
The Canadian federal government is also an influential stakeholders of the management of the natural resources within the community lands. Largely the most influential aspects of governments is policy creation and the managing of funds. The protected forests within Asatiwisipe Aki is beneficial to meeting carbon goals from the Federal Government, so they maintain an interest in the management of the area, although they have not been involved in any processes being undertaken therein (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021).
Pimachiowin Aki Partners
Asatawisipe Aki is part of the larger Pimachiowin Aki UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes four First Nations partners and the Manitoba and Ontario provincial governments. Which Pimachiowin Aki is an accord of area management, each region is managed by their respective group, largely due to the lack of management mandate of Pimachiowin Aki as a whole (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Each provincial park or community within Pimachiowin Aki has its one management plan and Pimachiowin Aki only has one staff member. There are ongoing efforts, however, to improve the structure of the Pimachiowin Aki Board of Directors in an influence to increase the role of stakeholders within the accord.
An annual report about Pimachiowin Aki is delivered to UNESCO to make sure that there are no deviations from the original land use plans (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). UNESCO inspects the management of the regions which comprise Pimachiowin Aki and may take away the World Heritage Site designation if there is deviation from the Pimachiowin Aki plans. While some co-management is performed, Poplar River First Nation remains the only community which is overseeing measurement and surveying research.
Natural Resource Extraction Stakeholders
Currently, interest in natural resource extraction from within Asatiwisipe Aki is low (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). This is due, in large part, to the remoteness and inaccessibility of natural resources within the management area, in addition to the exclusion rights of Poplar River First Nation. Formerly, a Tembec pulp and paper mill in Pine Falls (south basin of Lake Winnipeg) had tenure in Asatiwisipe Aki, but withdrew it after being asked by Poplar River First Nation. The forest stands within Poplar River First Nation is largely ill-suited for timber harvesting, with more potential being found in the southeast community of Pauingassi First Nation. Mining deposits are slim within Asatiwisipe Aki, so there has been little interest from stakeholders in developing claims. Poplar River First Nation approached the provincial mining organizations and they agreed to withdraw from Asatiwisipe Aki, largely driven by a lack of interest in the region.
Any future stakeholders interested in natural resource extraction would have to request a permit from Poplar River First Nation, but it would almost certainly be denied (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021).
Wild Rice Harvesters
A wild rice company from Winnipeg holds a lease for wild rice harvesting within Asatiwisipe Aki (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Originally, Poplar River First Nation was unaware that wild rice was being harvested commercially within the management area. After discussion with the company, the lease was issued for one of several sites throughout Manitoba that the wild rice company harvests from. Under the lease, the company is not allowed to exceed a set sustainable harvesting quota. They harvest from "Black Duck Lake" harvesting area, although that is how it is documented on provincial maps but is not an accurate representation of the true location of Black Duck Lake based on Poplar River First Nation's traditional naming of the lakes within Asatiwisipe Aki.
Tourism Industry outside Asatiwisipe Aki
The increase in Indigenous-led tourism within Asatiwisipe Aki is credited with providing a substantial boost to Manitoba's economy (Carreau, 2019, June 15). Despite this potential increase, there has been little action within Asatiwisipe Aki in facilitating the furtherance of tourism from a community-level effort. Currently, tourism in the larger Pimachiowin Aki UNESCO World Heritage Site is run from a lodge in Little Grand First Nation (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Tourism expansion since the approval of Pimachiowin Aki as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has included efforts to popularize ecotourism and canoe routes through the region. However, efforts to expand ecotourism from interested stakeholders has resulted in the degradation of the exclusion rights of Poplar River First Nation. In response to increasing trespass of corporate interest into Asatwisiepe Aki, Poplar River First Nation told tourism companies that they have no right do exercise tourism companies within Asatiwisipe Aki without the permission of Poplar River First Nation.
Visiting Hunters
In the south, moose are being killed at unsustainable rates from development encroachment, highway traffic collisions, and a large number of hunting licenses. Some visiting hunters come to Asatiwisipe Aki to hunt moose as it is one of many hunting regions within Manitoba that allow for moose harvesting (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). However, this has created conflict between visiting hunters and Poplar River First Nation. Poachers have been caught in remote areas of Asatiwisipe Aki, as well as visiting hunters visiting for trophy hunting, rather than for harvesting. Poplar River First Nation is attempting to work with the Province of Manitoba to restrict moose hunting within Asatiwisipe Aki.
Threats to the area
Climate change has been identified as one of the largest threats to Asatwisipe Aki and the surrounding area. Climate change-related issues identified within Asatiwisipe Aki include more extreme heat days, prolonged warm weather, greater unpredictability and intensity of storms, wildfire, and delayed freeze up (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). The delayed freeze up in northern Manitoba impacts the ability to transport goods to remote communities via ice roads, including Poplar River First Nation. This has ramifications on development and cost of goods and services. Wildfire is also identified as a major ecosystem driver and threat to the management area.
Wildfire
Over the past few decades, wildfire has noticeably increased in frequency and intensity within Asatiwisipe Aki (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). While fire is seen as being beneficial as an ecosystem driver, its abnormal behavior in recent years has moved it outside of the natural cycles. Within the community of Poplar River First Nation, fire has been impactful as both a direct impact (ex. ignition of remote fishing and trapping cabins via mass transfer; smoke particulates causes evacuations due to respiratory destress) or indirectly (ex. electrical outages). In the nearby community of Pikangikum First Nation, a fire during the 2020 fire season resulted in wooden electrical poles burning and power going out in the community for seven days, leading to evacuations. Direct fire threats occurred from the south of Poplar River First Nation in the 2021 fire season. A fire burned slowly in the wetlands after the wetlands had dried out. The fire was identified as being outside the natural cycle of the ecosystem drivers. While the Province of Manitoba did not believe that it would burn, the wildfire specialists were surprised that it slow burned for over a month, later being put out by a rain storm. The smoke from the fire resulted in the evacuation of Poplar River First Nation due to toxic particulates from the burning muskeg.
Hydroelectric and Recreational Development
Formerly, consideration was given towards construction of a bipole hydroelectric line along the east side of Lake Winnipeg. After consultation, the construction was moved to the west side of Lake Winnipeg and no longer is considered an active threat (Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Project, 2016).
Currently, expansion of summer cottage developments to the south threatens Traditional area and the surrounding environment of First Nations communities southern to Asatiwisipe Aki and Poplar River First Nation; however, future concern may arise if cottage development encroaches further (Carreau, 2019, June 15).
All-Season Road
Some concerns exist around the development of an all-season road into Poplar River First Nation, which may impact Anishinaabemowin and traditional practices, as well as cause habitat fragmentation and negatively impact fauna (Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Project, 2016). Generally, older members of the community of Poplar River First Nation have less support for the all-season road, despite it being popular among younger community members, who consider it to be an essential services (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). The community required a provision allowing the approval of the all-season road before the Asatawisipe Aki Managmenet Plan was approved by the community. The development of the all-season road would decrease the cost of living and provide an evacuation route, especially pertinent under increased occurrence of wildfire in Asatwisipe Aki. When wildfires occur, flights have previously been cancelled due to incremental weather, detrimentally impacting the health and safety of the community. An all-season road can help to provide an egress route.
Development of the all-season road stopped at the community of Berens River, located south of Poplar River First Nation, despite upset from Poplar River First Nation when the project was halted (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Because the development plans were presented through commitments, rather than contracts, there was less legal requirements for the Province of Manitoba to complete the development of the all-season road. Prior to its halting, development plans had undergone consultation with the community to respect protected areas, including certain creeks and lakes, resulting in the road being rerouted several times to preserve traditionally significant areas. Should the all-season road development plans be reinstated, the provincial and federal governments would need to seek approval from Poplar River First Nation to issue approval for its construction. At current, road development is being explored by Poplar River First Nation through co-funding opportunities.
Discussion, Assessment, and Recommendations
Managed in cooperation with neighbouring First Nations communities and Pimachiowin Aki UNESCO World Heritage Site, Asatiwisipe Aki can be seen as a case study for long term involvement of Indigenous communities in management of their Traditional Territory and Treaty lands. This cooperation leads to managing for different types of goals which benefit the local communities, businesses, and maintains ecological integrity. One of the most important goals outlined in the management plan is the conservation of natural ecosystems of the Traditional Territory of Poplar River First Nation. This goal of protection started as the protection of woodland caribou habitat and has expanded to include the protection of diverse flora and fauna throughout the region. Additionally, these protected areas serve as a ground for the education about cultural practices of the indigenous peoples.
While the management of Asatiwisipe Aki includes monitoring, there is no evidence of dissemination of the data recorded, apart from its influence on Pimachiowin Aki management. Releasing the data to researchers on a provincial, national, or international scale could help with creating better climate projections for the region. This is critically important when it comes to tracking susceptibility to wildfire. While western science has previously pulled information inappropriately from Traditional knowledge, there is the potential for involvement of universities in a participatory role, such to assist in methodology and implementation of a knowledge or data sharing system.
The firewood harvesting regimes offer an excellent model for right-of-way management involving communities, despite interest in further clearance of the right-of-ways to reduce impacts caused by forest fires (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). There is great risk posed to the community by the impact of wildfire on wooden utility transmission poles leading to Poplar River First Nation. As a result, the installation of solar farms would be an opportunity to reduce the consequential risk of wildfire to the community, something that is currently being reviewed for the community.
The threat of development of infrastructure is a unique concern that can be viewed as precedent for the harm that infrastructure and connections can have on remote communities. Provincial government support should remain as a supporting structure, rather than managing, thus allowing for autonomy of the community per UNDRIP. There are opportunities to work collaboratively with organizations working to promote freshwater ecology and conservation of Lake Winnipeg. While the management of Asatiwisipe Aki includes monitoring, there is no evidence of dissemination of the data recorded, apart from its influence on Pimachiowin Aki management. Releasing the data to researchers on a provincial, national, or international scale could help with creating better climate projections for the region.
As per UNDRIP (United Nations General Assembly, 2007), the First Nation communities surrounding Asatiwisipe Aki should have full autonomy of the community forest. In order to fulfill this right, it is recommended that the provincial government should remain as a supporting structure, rather than engaging in management. the Province of Manitoba should work to allow full autonomy of the region to Poplar River First Nation, allowing them to conduct management and planning of Asatiwisipe Aki under their Traditional management practices.
Relative Powers
The Interest/Influence Grid shows the relative influence and interest of the stakeholders. Because of the Act governing Asatiwisipe Aki, Poplar River First Nation and its related stakeholders hold a high degree of interest and influence over the management of the area. This allows for greater management autonomy of the community forest. The lack of interest expressed from commercial industries is indicative of low interest from these stakeholders (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021). Because of the neutral stance of the current provincial and federal government with regards to the management of Asatwisipe Aki (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021), the government stakeholders have been included as being low interest; however, it is important to recognize that this may be subject to change under new government structures.
Conclusion and Intentions of the Case Study
The intention of the case study was to examine the governance structure of Asatiwisipe Aki and the application of their management plan since the transfer of tenure from the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve to the current Asatiwisipe Aki management area. Additionally, we explored the impact of Pimachiowin Aki's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, finding that the lack of management structure for Pimachiowin Aki resulted in little change at the regional level for Asatiwisipe Aki. The tenure portfolio of Asatiwisipe Aki, while remaining in a 50-50 split between Poplar River First Nation and the Province of Manitoba (Anonymous, personal communication, November 25, 2021), allows for greater autonomy of the management area under the The East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act of 2009. The potential for influential precedent for Indigenous communities within Turtle Island is great, as it offers an example of community-based creation of a management plan based on Traditional land use practices and their application across various ecosystems within Traditional Territories. Our principle recommendation for Asatiwisipe Aki is the promotion of greater knowledge sharing from data collection and monitoring programs under their currently-developing Land Guardians program. Such sharing will allow for increased impact beyond the immediate tenure area, allowing interested stakeholders to retrieve useful information for their management practices.
References
Martin, A. J. F. (2020a). Fireweed in Asatiwisipe Aki [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020b). Forest Fire near Poplar River First Nation [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020c). Lesser Yellowlegs in Asatiwisipe Aki [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020d). Mouth of Poplar River [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020e). Northern Pike being Cooked at a Remote Campsite [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020f). Poplar River Bald Eagle [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020g). Poplar River Falls (2) [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020h). Poplar River First Nation Tipi [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020i). Poplar River Lodge [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020j). Remote Hunting Cabin [image].
Martin, A. J. F. (2020k). Spider Islands, Lake Winnipeg [image].
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