MERC

In May 2005, Mushkegowuk Council supported the establishment of Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre (MERC) which is a First Nation owned independent agency that undertakes and coordinates research relating to the environmental and natural resources with a focus on the Western James Bay basin in Ontario.  MERC supports the seven First Nations that belong to the Mushkegowuk Council including Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Chapleau Cree, and Missanabie Cree.  Significant industrial activities have started to move into the northern portion of the territory, however, minimal ecological information has been collected.

 MERC’s mandate is to address environmental information needs including traditional knowledge, fish, wildlife, water quality and land management.  MERC has an additional focus of providing training opportunities to Mushkegowuk First Nation members.  This will help to ensure that both the permanent core staff and field workers in the First Nations will have the ability to upgrade their skills and knowledge in fields relevant to the services of the MERC.  MERC also plans on participating in collaborative strategies to attract youth into the natural resources sector through training camps and volunteer programs.

Current MERC Projects

 

• MERC will be working with the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning the Traditional Knowledge study focusing on Site 060 (Relay, near Fraserdale) and Site 415 (Cape Henrietta Maria). MERC will be contacting affected communities to gather names of individuals with knowledge of these two sites and requesting participation in the study.

 

• MERC staff will be conducting a study on woodland caribou populations located within the Mushkegowuk Territory. Woodland caribou is listed as a species- at- risk (Threatened) and the province is currently developing a recovery strategy. The results from this project will contribute towards the current understanding of woodland caribou and how it has been impacted by natural resources developments.

 

• MERC is involved with a project regarding an archaeological study of the transmission line corridor; this work must be completed to ensure the clearing associated with the expansion of the transmission line does not disturb cultural heritage resources. A cultural heritage monitor will provide services during construction activities between Moosonee and Fort Albany First Nation/Kashechewan First Nation. MERC requested this position as additional assurance that values that were not identified in the initial consultation will be protected throughout winter 2006 construction.

  

• Mushkegowuk Council, together with Weenusk First Nation, have communicated significant concerns over the long-term health effects of environmental contaminants resulting from the 15 abandoned military/radar bases (DND sites) in their territory.  Contamination of PCB’s, lead, DDT and hydro-carbons in and around the radar sites, has been indicated by past studies in the area.  Similar results have been found in the blood stream of First Nation members, believed to be caused by game consumption.  Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre’s intention is to collect and review Traditional Knowledge and available / applicable scientific studies regarding the extent of contamination in an attempt to delineate the area of concern based on this knowledge.  Scientific methodology will be used for delineating areas of contamination and health implications.  The information gathered from this project will be shared with the First Nations in order to develop a long-term plan, guidelines and to establish priorities for future research and remediation activities. 

  

• MERC is currently developing a partnership with industry and government who have been leading the First Nation Natural Resources Youth Camp, located in northern Ontario. The objective of the camp is to provide introductory natural resources skills to aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 19. Currently, the camp focuses on forestry equipment training, however, MERC will coordinate training experiences in mining as well as hydro electric/water power fields. The camp usually runs for 6 weeks throughout July and August with approximately 25 youths, the program has been in place for 2 years.