In the late 1990s, there was a dramatic decline of eelgrass (Zostera marina , Shikaapaashkwh in Cree) [2] and associated declines of fall migrating Canada geese (Branta canadensis) along the coast, which rely on eelgrass as an important food source [3],[4]. Because geese are a cultural keystone species in Eeyou Istchee, these declines caused concern about not only the state of the coastal habitats and goose populations, but also the continuity of traditional coastal cultural practices and food security.

 

In response to concerns about changes in the coastal ecosystems in Eeyou Istchee, a Cree-led, collaborative research initiative called the Coastal Habitat Comprehensive Research Project (CHCRP) was launched in 2016 and involved four coastal Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee (Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, and Chisasibi).

 

The research drew upon Cree knowledge and experience as well as established scientific methods at every stage.

On August 4, 2016, the Agreement Concerning Investigations into the Ecology of the Coastal Region of Eeyou Istchee and its Relationship with Wildlife Important to the Cree was signed between the Cree Nation Government, Hydro-Québec and Niskamoon Corporation, calling for a comprehensive research program to better understand changes witnessed by Cree coastal land users for many years, most importantly the deterioration of eelgrass habitats. To implement this agreement and to oversee the research project, a Steering Committee was appointed made up of representatives from the four coastal James Bay Cree communities, Niskamoon Corporation and Hydro-Québec.

From 2017 to 2022, the project was governed by the following overarching questions:

  1. What are the main factors affecting the current growth of eelgrass along the eastern coast of James Bay?
  2. What is the impact of the current state of eelgrass beds on waterfowl presence along the coast of James Bay and, subsequently, Cree hunting activities?

To answer these central research questions, five research teams represented by six Canadian Universities are working across the entire coastal region to answer both questions. These individual research components are presented in the CHCRP I 2017-2022 section of this web site.
 
In 2022, the Cree communities and land users have expressed a need for continued research on the health and recovery of coastal systems, eelgrass, and goose populations, including a focused effort on building long-term capacity for Cree-led monitoring. The next phase of the project is presented in the CHCRP II 2024-2029 section of this web site.

Learn more about how the CHCRP started.

References
  1. Kuzyk et al. (2023). Understanding Shkaapaashkw (ᔑᑳᐹᔥᒄᐦ): Eelgrass Health and Goose Presence in Eastern James Bay. Final Report from the Eeyou Coastal Habitat Comprehensive Research Project (CHCRP). Prepared for Niskamoon Corporation. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB Canada. The document can be downloaded at: https://canwin-datahub.ad.umanitoba.ca/data/fr/project/eeyou-coastal-habitat-project ↩
  2. Leblanc et al. (2023). Limited recovery following a massive seagrass decline in subarctic eastern Canada. Global Change Biology. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16499 ↩
  3. FOPO 2008. Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. 2nd session, 39th parliament. Testimonials. ↩
  4. Idrobo et al. (2024). The “Turning Point” for the Fall Goose Hunt in Eeyou Istchee: A Social-Ecological Regime Shift from an Indigenous Knowledge Perspective. Human Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-024-00499-0 ↩