Marten Falls First Nation (MFFN) Community Access Road
August 2022 update
Current and upcoming activities
Welcome to the Marten Falls First Nation (MFFN) Community Access Road August E-Blast with updates on current and upcoming activities.
This E-Blast features:
- Catch your Dream: Indigenous Access Programs at Lakehead University
- Field Study Updates
- Upcoming Field Studies
- Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Interests Study Areas Update
- Indigenous Knowledge Program
- Follow us on Facebook!
Indigenous Access Programs
As part of Lakehead University’s Indigenous Initiatives, they are currently offering Indigenous Access Programs. Indigenous Access Programs are pathways to post-secondary education for Indigenous people (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) who do not meet the academic requirements to enter directly into university. The program is intended to develop skills and knowledge to transition to programs in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Nursing.
The Access Programs honour Indigenous heritage while providing culturally appropriate supports and services. Academic counselling and tutoring are available, as well as other supports, such as Elder visits, cultural activities, personal counselling and assistance with community connections for services such as housing and child care.
If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Lakehead University website: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/indigenous/indigenous-programs.
Field Study Updates
The Bird Autonomous Recording (ARU) Unit Program was completed in August, and ARU devices were removed from the field. A caribou mortality investigation was also completed during this field program. Check out the related field program notices, watch videos and fill out Discussion Guides.
Upcoming Field Studies
Our field crews are continuing field studies throughout the summer and into the fall / winter seasons.
Below is a high-level overview of upcoming field study programs and their approximate timelines*. You can also learn about the programs in the video links below and share your feedback in Discussion Guide links.
- Surface Water and Fish and Fish Habitat Program: August 15 – 26, 2022. Watch the video and fill out the Discussion Guide.
- Groundwater and Geochemistry Program: September 5 – November 1, 2022. Watch the video and fill out the Discussion Guide.
- Fall Aerial Waterfowl Migration Surveys: September 7 – 8 and 26 – 29, 2022.
- Physiography and Terrain Program: September 26 – October 8, 2022.
- Ungulates Remote Camera Check: October – November, 2022.
- Caribou Mortality Investigation, if needed: October – November, 2022.
*Timelines and programs are approximate and may shift; we will provide updates as required.
If you have any questions, comments or feedback on the planned studies, we would like to hear from you (contact information below).
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Interests Study Areas Update
The Aboriginal and Treaty Right and Interests (ATRI) study areas for the Community Access Road Project have recently been updated. The MFFN CAR Project Team has been hard at work planning for the Project and has further defined the Project Development Area. The proposed Project Development Area now takes into account potential aggregate sites, temporary construction camp locations, and construction access roads.
You can view the full update on the project website here.
Indigenous Knowledge Program
Indigenous Knowledge and information on Indigenous Land and Resource Use is invaluable to the Community Access Road Project in that it helps us to better understand and appreciate the environment with respect to the identity, culture and heritage of Indigenous Communities.
To date, we have shared an IK Guidance Document full of resources and information and offered funding support to those communities interested in participating in the IK Program.
If your community has Indigenous Knowledge or information on Indigenous Land and Resource Use related to the Project that you would like to share please do not hesitate to reach out to Bob Baxter at 1-807-628-7553 or bbaxter48@gmail.com or Andrea Nokleby at 1-604-417-5332 or anokleby@dillon.ca. Learn more about the Indigenous Knowledge Program.
Follow us on Facebook!
The Marten Falls Community Access Road Project is on Facebook! Follow us to stay up to date on the Project planning, engagement opportunities and new and upcoming field studies. We would also love your feedback.
Be sure to check us out and like and share our page.