Sturgeon Are Important and They Need Our Help to Recover
Lake Sturgeon have a social and historical significance in Manitoba and a strong cultural significance to Indigenous peoples in the province. In the past these fish were abundant throughout Manitoba, but many populations have been reduced by overharvesting and habitat loss. Populations of Lake Sturgeon in the lower Nelson River have been drastically reduced by intensive commercial fishing in the 1900’s. Construction and operation of hydroelectric dams, starting in the 1950’s, altered or destroyed key sturgeon habitats.
The recovery of sturgeon populations will take many decades because these fish are slow to mature, and need access to a variety of habitats to complete their life cycle. The combination of over-harvesting, habitat loss, and the unique Life History Traits of Lake Sturgeon mean that populations in the Nelson River need our help to recover.
Sturgeon Are Not Only Food
“Sturgeon was not only food to the Cree. The women who were expecting or had a baby were encouraged to eat the sturgeon and drink sturgeon broth. That way they passed on the medicine to their babies through breast-feeding making them strong and healthy”
– Flora Beardy, York Factory First Nation
A Unique Place in Our Lives
“Sturgeon has a unique place in the lives of Tataskweyak and War Lake Members for spiritual and practical reasons. The Cree feel an inherent responsibility to care for sturgeon because it is seen as a special gift from the Creator.”– TCN and War Lake First Nation
Sturgeon Are Culturally Important
“Sturgeon is culturally important to our people. It has been harvested as an important food source, for medicinal purposes, as well as use for both creative expression and resource for tools and creating other products such as glues, sealants, decorative clothing, and containers.”– Fox Lake Cree Nation
We Speak for Sturgeon
“We speak for the sturgeon. We must protect them for future generations. They are an important part of our culture. Without them we lose part of our culture.”
– Chief Betsy Kennedy, War Lake First Nation
What is The Kischi Sipi Namao Committee?
The Kischi Sipi Namao Committee (KSNC) was established in 2013, and is a partnership committed to protecting and enhancing Lake Sturgeon populations in the lower Nelson River. Committee efforts focus on the Lower Nelson River from Kelsey Generating station to Hudson Bay, including the Hayes River system (Hayes, Gods and Echoing rivers).
The KSNC consists of one voting member, an alternate and an advisor from each of: Fox Lake Cree Nation, Shamattawa First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation, Manitoba Hydro and Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership. Manitoba Sustainable Development participates as a non-voting member.
What Does The Kischi Sipi Namao Committee Do?
The Kischi Sipi Namao Committee began its work by developing a Sturgeon stewardship plan that sets overall objectives and strategies for sturgeon protection and enhancement in the lower Nelson River. A strategic planning workshop was held to gather advice from others involved in sturgeon stewardship activities and from community representatives. The plan was then developed by consensus of the committee members. It provides guidance and sets priorities for the Committee for the immediate (1-3 years), medium (3-5 years) and long term (greater than 5 years).
The committee has adopted a community-oriented, proactive approach to stewardship. The collaborative structure of the KSNC ensures that Traditional Knowledge (TK) is included in the important work of protecting and enhancing Lake Sturgeon populations. The KSNC has established the following priorities to work towards achieving our vision:
- Gather Knowledge – Community/Traditional Knowledge;
- Share Knowledge – Educating our communities;
- Bring Communities Together – Building cohesiveness;
- Engage Youth – educating and involving the sturgeon stewards of the future; and
- Build Community Commitment to Sturgeon Conservation.
KSNC is placing an initial emphasis on sharing information and education, while bringing together local, traditional and scientific knowledge
What has The Kischi Sipi Namao Committee Done?
- Sturgeon stewardship plan (2016) – emphasis on engaging communities and youth to achieve community commitment to sturgeon conservation
- Strategic planning workshop (youth, Elder and community representatives from all member groups, the NRSB, Rainy River First Nation and North South Consultants)
- Committee/community education through field trips to NRSB Spawn Camp and Grand Rapids Fish Hatchery
- Support and assist with community based stewardship activities (presentations, stocking events, hatchery tours, workshops, etc.)
- Scholarship
- Work with schools
- Compile a repository of TK and western science
- Informational materials
