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Haida gwaii island
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Haida Gwaii, a large and isolated archipelago located on coast of Western Canada, is home to over 6800 species of flora and fauna along with more unique subspecies than any other equal sized areas in Canada (Gaston et al., 2008). This rich biological diversity found throughout the lands and waters has sustained the Haida people and their ancestors for over ten thousand years (Banner et al., 2014). However, within the past fifty years, much of these lands and waters have been depleted via resource industries that have shown little to no regard for the consequences of their actions on both the environment and the Haida culture (Council of the Haida Nation, 2004). Consequently, the Haida along with community members and environmental activists …show more content…
It does so by maintaining greater than 30 per cent of the natural proportion of old growth forest ecosystems within each biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification variant (Province of British Columbia and Council of the Haida Nation, 2007). This specific objective is vital for wildlife management, even moreso than the reduction of the annual allowable harvest to 800, 000 cubic metres, which is approximately half of the previous allowable cut level (Takeda & Ropke, 2010). This is because, this specific objective pertains to old-growth forest, and according to local Haida educator Gerry Morigeau (2016), knowing the type of habitat to protect for a species is more important than the amount. The brooski subspecies of the Northern Saw-whet Owls is globally restricted to Haida Gwaii, but were designated as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2006 with one of their largest threats being the decline in older forest abundance (COSEWIC, 2006). This is because they rely on old-growth forests for nesting habitat and for potential feeding habitats, it is ideal because old-growth forests are generally structurally complex and also have a high relative abundance of nesting snags (Northern Saw-whet Owl Recovery Team, 2009). Similarly, Northern Goshawks, another species of management …show more content…
It does so by mandating 100% maintenance of culturally modified trees (CMT), which are trees that have been previously modified by the Haida people (Province of British Columbia and Council of the Haida Nation, 2007). TEK is a way of knowing that accumulates observations outside of Western science, thus it is a knowledge that is encoded in rituals and cultural practices (Berkes et al., 2000). Recently, there has been increased recognition in the contributions that TEK can make to the conservation of biodiversity, protected areas, ecological processes, and sustainable resource use (Berkes et al., 2000). CMTs are a form of TEK as they can provide tangible records of historical human use of trees and information on traditional sustainable resource use (Turner et al., 2009). These trees are living models that humans can enable use of their wood, bark, roots, and leaves without destroying the tree itself (Turner et al., 2009). Thus they are an important tool for ecosystem-based management, as according to Galindo-Leal & Bunnell (1995), management should meet the needs of the present but not compromise the ability of future generations to do the same. Additionally, preservation of CMTs is particularly important for the Haida, as most traditional knowledge has been lost due to the passing on of
The Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong) First Nation is an Ojibwa First Nation located north of Kenora, ON. The community has been fighting against environmental injustices imposed on them from various actors over the last 40 years (Rodgers, 2009, para. 10), involving issues with mercury poisoned fish (para. 1) clear cutting of their lands (para. 27) and subsequent degradation of their land, water and food sources. This essay will detail the environmental justice struggles of the Grassy Narrows First Nation, point out the unfair treatment and environmental racism they have been subject to and will also question the role that authority, power and litigation have played within the community.
It is apparent that over several centuries, Aboriginals have developed a close spiritual connection with the land. Unfortunately, Bill C-45 “…attacks the land base reserved for Indigenous people, removes protection for hundreds of waterways and weaken[s] Canada’s environmental laws” (Caven, 2014). In essence, this legislation sees the vulnerable waterways that Aboriginal individuals rely on furthermore, feel united with, and are left exposed to potential contamination. As such, they have become deeply in tune with the environment, thus truly...
Now, sustainable development and quality of life are crucial to the well being of our nation. Thus, I have pondered many a year on this very important matter and have consulted a very knowing Canadian of my acquaintance at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The amount of natural resources in this country being usually reckoned infi...
Approximately ninety percent of the forests in the Pacific Northwest have already been harvested. In order to protect the current owl population. remaining forests would have to be preserved, but this would have a serious impact. negative economic effect. Such a decision would affect jobs, regional economy.
Holism is present and the importance of nature and the maintenance of a traditional life-style (stick four). Through McLeod’s (2007) work we see a bond between landscape and other beings. “Through ceremonies, prayers, and songs, the Nehiyawak were able to communicate with other beings and the powers of the land around them, the Atayohkanak, the spiritual grandfathers and grandmothers” (p. 26). McLeod goes on to state that the power of ceremonies in a relationship is not limited to a human-to-human relationship. For example, “[t]he pipe stem is significant for the Nehiiyawak, the Dene and other Indigenous nations as a way of concluding arrangements… [it] was more than… a way of sealing political arrangements… it was a way of making and affirming relationships with the land, of honouring the spiritual powers who dwelt where the people were living.” (McLeod, 2007, p. 27) As well, language is a reoccurring theme. McLeod (2007) attributes much of the continuity of the Cree people to maintaining language which is often through the elders (in his instance, his
A small archipelago off the northwest coast of Britsh Columbia is known as the “islands of the people.” This island is diverse in both land and sea environment. From the 1700’s when the first ship sailed off its coast and a captain logged about the existence, slow attentiveness was given to the island. Its abundance, in both natural resources physical environment, and its allure in the concealed Haida peoples, beckoned settlers to come to the island. Settlers would spark an era of prosperity and catastrophe for the native and environmental populations.
With a coastline of over 202 000 km and over a fourth of the world’s freshwater resources, it is no wonder why Canada’s fishing industry is a huge part of its economy.1 Canada exports more than 75% of its fish to over 130 countries worldwide. Many of the 7 million people who reside on the coast depend on the ocean’s resources. In total, Canada’s entire fishing industry is worth around 5$ billion dollars a year, being one of the world’s most valuable. However, the coasts have not been treated by respect; overfishing, over consumption, and wasteful practices has deteriorated, not only the industry, but the ecosystems and fish populations. This is a huge global issue; the worldwide collapse of fisheries has been project for 2048. Slowly, as the trends continue, we will inevitably see many fish species start to disappear. In fact, the ill-treatment of species on the Canadian border has already devastated a large specie, the cod.
The annual hunt of harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in Atlantic Canada is contested at the start of nearly every season, with celebrities, politicians, and the public actively weighing in on the matter. Within all of the dialogue and debate, there can be a lot of bias and misrepresentation of facts advocating for or against the seal hunt. Thus, the true sustainable aspects of the industry are drowned out and lost due to the sheer amount of controversy surrounding the issue. Sustainability entails meeting the needs of today without sacrificing the needs of the future (“Sustainable Development” 1). The concept of sustainable resource development involves support pillars that represent economics, society, and the environment. Seal hunting, as it is practiced today in Canada, is indeed sustainable and should continue. The harvest is rooted in a cultural tradition that brings economic benefits to Atlantic Canada while maintaining due respect to the environment. An examination of these tenets, as well as criticism in opposition of the hunt constitute the body of this essay.
The Korowai are one of the most endangered tribes in the world. Their traditional culture was developed thousands of years ago. They live in small family clans and are hunter-gatherers and live in a horticultural society. The natural resources have allowed them to survive in the harsh rainforest which they depend for living. As population grows in society more and more people are using the earth’s natural resources. Trees are being cut down for extraction of minerals and energy. Lands are being used to create industrialize factories. The Korowai territory is surrounded by...
Though deforestation has increased at an alarming rate throughout the past fifty years, deforestation has been performed during the course of history. According to the World Resources Institute, a majority of the world’s enduring naturally occurring forests are found in Alaska, Canada, Russia and the Northwestern Amazon. Research has demonstrated forests are more likely to be destroyed and repurposed where economic revenues tied to agriculture and pasture are prominent, typically attributed to advantageous weather conditions, or lower expenses of demolishing the forest and delivering merchandises to the global
* Daily, Gretchen C., ed. Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1997.
Thomson, Steve. "Saving B.C's Forests through the Trees." The Filipino Post 12-18 July 2012: 12. Print.
Natural resources were conserved in the form of sacred groves/forests, sacred pools and lakes, sacred species etc. In our country the conservation of natural forests is known from the time of Lord Ashoka. Sacred forests are forest patches of different dimensions dedicated by the tribal to their deities and ancestral spirits. Cutting down trees, hunting and other human interferences were strictly prohibited in these forests. This practice is wide spread particularly in peninsular, central and eastern India and has resulted in the protection of a large number of plants and animals. Similarly, several water bodies, e.g., Khecheopalri lake in Sikkim was declared sacred by people, thus, protecting aquatic flora and fauna. Worshipping certain plants like banyan, peepal, tulsi etc. has not only preserved them but also encouraged us for their plantation. History recalls numerous instances where people have laid down their lives in protecting the trees. Chipko movement in India is one of the best examples. This movement was started by the women in Gopeshwar village in Garhwal in the Himalayas. They stopped the felling of trees by hugging them when the lumbermen arrived to cut them. This saved about 12000 square kilometers of the sensitive water catchment
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
Sacred groves provide survival resources for the local community hence they are controlled and protected by the community, for example, hunting grounds and logging are usually prohibited, non-timber products like honey and medicinal plants are allowed to be collected by the community. Sacred groves also pro...