Alissa presents on Kitsumkalum Cumulative Effects Study at the ICCE 2023 Conference
Alissa Cartwright, Indigenous Rights Research Manager at Kwusen, presented on the Kitsumkalum Cumulative Effects Study at the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) 2023 Conference on Anishinaabe Algonquin territory in Ottawa, Ontario in May. The study builds on four years of research Kwusen has conducted with Kitsumkalum.
Kwusen worked with Kitsumkalum to document the cumulative effects of development on their territory and Rights. Over the last century, major developments have included the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (now CN) in the early 20th century, intensive logging in the mid- and late 20th century, and more recent LNG developments. Along with the effects of land privatization, hunting and fishing regulations, and the increased presence of non-Indigenous recreationists and hunters, these cumulative environmental and socio-economic effects have impacted Kitsumkalum members’ ability to harvest, access, and care for their lands and waters.
In order to better understand the scope of such effects, Kwusen and Kitsumkalum adapted the cumulative effects assessment methodology used in The Atlas of Cumulative Landscape Disturbance in the Traditional Territory of Blueberry River First Nation from 2016. We also conducted interviews directly with Kitsumkalum land and water users to integrate the lived experiences of community members into the Study.
The Study resulted in maps that are demonstrative of the scale and extent of cumulative effects in Kitsumkalum’s territory, providing a visual representation of the many industrial disturbances and access barriers that affect Kitsumkalum’s ability to harvest and exercise their Rights. Many of the data layers on the maps were added after consultation with community members. In keeping with the research methodology that supported the Yahey decision, Kwusen also conducted quantitative analysis to determine how much of Kitsumkalum’s Territory has been disturbed. This quantitative assessment can be applied to specific areas in the territory to determine, for example, the percentage of disturbance in a particular biogeoclimatic zone or watershed.
Despite disturbances and barriers to access, Kitsumkalum members continue to actively use and care for their territory. Kitsumkalum is working towards implementing policies that address cumulative effects and support their role as caretakers of the land.
We were pleased to see this important project presented at this year’s ICCE Conference and look forward to continuing our work with Kitsumkalum First Nation.
