By Frank Giorno for www.wachaynews.com
Urban members of James Bay communities in North Bay will be gathering tonight to find out about proposals to develop a Mushkegowuk National Marine Conservation Area along the James Bay Coast.
This information session will discuss Omushkego-led efforts to protect Weeneebeg and Washaybeyoh. It takes place tonight, Jan. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Best Western in North Bay.
There will be complimentary coffee, tea and snacks. Mushkegowuk Council will be joined by friends at Wildlands League and National Audubon Society.
Establishing an Indigenous-led National Marine Conservation Area will protect Weeneebeg (James Bay) and Washaybeyoh (Hudson Bay), our Cree people, our culture and the lands and waters that sustain all life, and our interconnected ecosystems for all future generations.
National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are protected areas established and managed by Parks Canada to protect and conserve examples of Canada’s natural and cultural marine heritage. By working with the Omushkego to establish an NMCA in our ancestral marine territory, Canada can help conserve biodiversity, reach its nature-protection targets and mitigate climate change while supporting Indigenous self-determination.
The James Bay Coast is a globally distinct seascape that supports an abundance of life such as the unique year-round population of beluga whales. It also supports the southernmost population of polar bears in the world. It’s also a birthing place and a feeding grounds for millions of birds
Critical to Omushkego cultural and harvesting practices
The Omushkego (“the strong people” in English) live in the James Bay and Hudson Bay Lowlands and we were here long before Weeneebeg was called James Bay, long before Washaybeyoh was called Hudson Bay. The Omushkego Traditional Territories cover nearly a third of Ontario, including a large portion of southwestern Hudson Bay and western James Bay and their islands, surrounded by the carbon-rich peatlands.
As we have since time immemorial, still today, we find our well-being through the taking of food, medicines, water, fish, and animals. Omushkego have always known we are a part of Mother Earth and strive to live according to her natural laws.
For more information on the Mushkegowuk Marine Conservation Plans please visit https://mushkegowukmarine.ca/
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