Two people with a tripod and camera equipment stand on rocky terrain overlooking a vast, calm blue lake under a clear blue sky. Distant shores and sparse trees line the horizon.

Past Work

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?

A tranquil landscape featuring a calm lake with scattered rocks, bordered by grassy shoreline. In the background, a dense forest of evergreen trees stands under a clear blue sky.

The research objectives were further broken down in the framework into five research components
(or teams):

  1. Ocean team to characterize the coastal oceanography
  2. River team to characterize the river inputs to the bay
  3. Eelgrass team to study eelgrass and the factors influencing its growth
  4. Goose team to study Canada Geese and their use of the coastal habitat
  5. Cree Knowledge team to document Cree knowledge of eelgrass, geese, harvesting practices, and coastal environmental change

CHCRP Past Research Activities

Ocean Team

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River Team

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Eelgrass Team

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Goose Team

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Cree Knowledge Team

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The directive from the Steering Committee was that each team would complete its own work as well as contribute to a synthesis of the different research components. This was to be formalized in an “integration report” and utilize both Indigenous and scientific knowledge to answer the main research questions [1].

A group of people dressed in warm clothing gather outdoors, examining a white net or fabric. Rocky terrain and sparse trees are visible in the background, suggesting a cold climate. The individuals are focused and engaged in the activity.

Mary O'Connor, UBC researcher, eelgrass surveys 2019
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Project information booth, summer 2021
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Community consultation, spring 2022
A person sitting in a boat holds up a clear plastic bag containing green plants or seaweed. They are dressed in a hat, jacket, and purple pants, with a river and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Laura-Lee Sam, Cree Eelgrass Monitoring Team, summer 2020
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Youth outreach activity, fall 2019
Three people standing in shallow water near two small boats on a calm day. One person is taking a photo, while the others attend to the boats. The sky is overcast, and the horizon is visible in the distance.

Cree team conducting eelgrass surveys during the COVID pandemic in 2020.

Fieldwork and Community Engagement

Community engagement was crucial for fostering a more profound understanding, acceptance, and support for the research within the Cree coastal communities. Engaging with community members also facilitated knowledge sharing and increased researchers’ awareness of community priorities and concerns.

Community engagement was facilitated by the Niskamoon Local Officers (Geraldine Mark, Cassandra Weapenicappo and Ernest Moses) and Special Project Manager (Ernie Rabbitskin). From 2017 to 2021, more than 60 Cree land users from the four coastal communities participated directly in the research program. The Niskamoon Local Officers and Special Project Manager scheduled the fieldwork activities and arranged for the land users’ involvement on a daily basis, while bringing researchers up to speed on community history and sensitivities, and reporting how the communities perceived the researchers and research progress. The Niskamoon Local Officers also organized formal and informal activities in the communities including presentations, consultations, workshops, and interviews.

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Key Findings

Here summarize key findings of the Coastal Habitat Comprehensive Research Project (2016-2022). For additional informational, you can access online CHCRP Summary and Key Findings.

 

 

What are the main factors affecting the current state of eelgrass along the eastern coast of James Bay?

  • Sparse eelgrass meadows with less eelgrass cannot trap sediments as efficiently. The water is therefore more turbid, and eelgrass is not getting enough light to grow large and produce more shoots.
  • Extreme weather events like warmer water temperature can slow eelgrass recovery.
  • In the La Grande River sector of the coast is likely affecting some eelgrass beds is the regulated high river flows.

 

What is the impact of the current state of eelgrass on waterfowl presence and consequently Cree hunting?

  • The current poor state of eelgrass reduces the stopovers and use of the coastal habitat by geese, at least during fall. This makes the distribution of the geese less predictable, and impacts Cree hunting activities and associated cultural and socio-economic aspects of Cree society.
  • Additional factors, both local and global, also impact waterfowl presence including changes to waterfowl feeding habits and hunting, and changes in habitat and wildlife distributions due to climate change.

Watch the videos below to learn more the spring and fall Canada geese migration.

Spring Migration of a Long-Necked Canada Goose

Watch the Cree version of the video.

 

Fall Migration of a Long-Necked Canada Goose

Watch the Cree version of the video.

 

Fall Staging of a Long-Necked Canada Goose

Watch the Cree version of the video.

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A warm, crackling campfire burns with bright flames surrounded by logs. In the background, a person rests on a plaid blanket, partially visible, adding a cozy, rustic atmosphere to the scene.
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 ↩