Marten Falls First Nation (MFFN) Community Access Road
May 2023 update
Current and upcoming activities
Welcome to the MFFN Community Access Road May 2023 E-Blast with updates on current and upcoming activities. This E-Blast features:
Field Study Spotlight: Cultural Heritage Program
The Cultural Heritage Field Program is planned to take place this summer in the MFFN community. The field program will include helicopter surveys of built heritage and cultural heritage resources in the study area and will also consist of photographic and written documentation. The cultural heritage team will also conduct interviews with community members including special opportunities for MFFN Elders.
We want to hear from YOU!
Indigenous community input is very important to the Cultural Heritage program to identify locally recognized built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes, as well as provide input on definitions from an Indigenous perspective. More information on the Cultural Heritage program and how you can help inform it can be found here.
To set up a meeting with the Marten Falls First Nation Project Team to discuss or provide Cultural Heritage information, please contact: info@martenfallsaccessroad.ca or 1-800-764-9114
Community Access Road Milestone and the Indigenous Knowledge Program
Indigenous Knowledge is an important part of the assessment processes for the Community Access Road. Indigenous Knowledge received through the Indigenous Knowledge Program will allow for a more complete, robust, and accurate picture of the Project area to emerge. Our goal is to create an existing conditions report that meaningfully includes Indigenous Knowledge which is also considered in the selection of the preferred route for the Community Access Road this fall.
To help ensure the inclusion of this information in the draft existing conditions report, it is critical that Indigenous Knowledge and information on Indigenous Land and Resource Use be shared with the MFFN CAR Project Team by June 30, 2023.
If your community has Indigenous Knowledge or information on Indigenous Land and Resource Use related to the Community Access Road 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 .
Spring Field Studies
A reminder that spring 2023 field studies for the MFFN Community Access Road Project are continuing.
See the Field Notice on our website for more information the spring field studies.
Please be advised the forest fire activity in northern Quebec and Ontario may impact some scheduled field programs. The situation is being monitored and we will provide updates as required.
Upcoming field studies include:
- Socio-Economic and Human Health (June – August)
The socio-economic and human health team will be conducting interviews and focus groups in MFFN and Thunder Bay with MFFN members. - Vegetation and Peatlands Aerial and Ground Surveys (June 13-19)
Field crews will be visually observing and documenting plant communities and wetland areas throughout the study area. Observations will be made from the air in helicopters and on the ground. - Wolverine (wishkobishag, wiingwa’waake) Hair Snag Surveys (June 5-16)
The hair snag rebaits and wildlife remote camera program took place from May 8 to May 15. The decommissioning of these sites will be carried out at the same time as the ungulate remote camera retrieval. - Ungulate Remote Camera Program (June 5 -16)
Remote cameras for the ungulate remote camera program will be retrieved from June 5 to June 16 in conjunction with the hair snag site decommissioning. - Groundwater and Geochemistry Program (June 1-30)
To support the groundwater sampling program, drilling is required for two sites. Field crews will carry out this work from June 1 to June 30. - Cultural Heritage (TBD)
Field crews will be surveying built heritage and cultural heritage resources in the study area. Surveys will consist of photographic and written documentation, and community-based interviews. Helicopter activity can be expected in the area during this field program. - Vegetation Field Program (August 2023)
- Groundwater Well Sampling (Summer and Fall 2023)
Field crews will include MFFN community member Field Assistants or Community Member Advisors.
Check out the related field program notices for more details, watch videos and fill out Discussion Guides.
*Timelines and programs are approximate and may shift; we will provide updates as required.
We Value Your Feedback
Please contact us at any time with questions or comments, or to schedule a meeting. Meetings can be arranged in-person in any community, in the Thunder Bay area, or online. We want to hear what you have to say!
Questions or comments? Contact us at 1-800-764-9114 or info@martenfallsaccessroad.ca.
