The struggle to trust while conserving nature in the North

By Natasha Bulowski  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Around 100 people gathered this week in the Kashechewan First Nation High School gym to celebrate a milestone in the creation of a new Indigenous-led Marine Conservation Area on the James Bay coastline. Once established, the project will be ultimately managed by a partnership of Parks Canada and the Mushkegowuk Marine Conservation, which includes eight Mushkegowuk First Nations as well as Fort Severn and Peawanuck First Nations. The project is called Omushkego Wahkohtowin, which means “people with the right relationship to the land and waters.” But amidst upbeat speeches and a countdown to live music, there was at times tense concern and distrust of land and water agreements with the government. It was an informal setting, where some attendees were on their phones…

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