Tasiujarjuaq & Weeneebeg: Bays of Life | SPECIAL | National Geographic Documentary Films

Key Concepts

• Tasiujarjuaq (Hudson Bay) & Weeneebeg (James Bay): Two of the world's largest inland seas, critical for biodiversity and Indigenous cultures.
• Indigenous-led Conservation: Efforts by Indigenous communities to protect their traditional territories, integrating traditional knowledge with Western science.
• National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs): Federally designated protected marine areas in Canada.
• Arviliit Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA): A proposed Inuit-led protected area in Hudson Bay, significant for bowhead whales, walruses, seals, and polar bears.
• Country Food: Traditional foods harvested from the land and water, essential for Indigenous health and culture.
• Polar Bears as Indicator Species: Their health and presence signify the overall health of the Arctic ecosystem.
• SIKU App: An Inuktitut-named app (meaning "sea ice") used by Inuit communities to collect and share environmental data, integrating traditional knowledge with modern technology.
• Qikiqtait (Belcher Islands): An archipelago in Hudson Bay, a unique migratory stopover and a vital part of the ecosystem.
• Mushkegowuk Territory: A vast wetland region in Ontario, known as the "breathing lands of Mother Earth" and a significant carbon sink.
• Eeyou Istchee (Cree Nation Territory): The traditional lands of the Cree Nation, where the Cree way of life is practiced.
• "Breathing Lands": A term used by the Mushkegowuk to describe their wetlands, highlighting their ecological importance as carbon sinks and life support systems.
• Ring of Fire Project: A large-scale mining development project in Ontario, posing a significant environmental threat to the region's watersheds.
• Eelgrass (Marine Sugarcane): A vital marine plant that serves as a primary food source for migratory geese and other marine life.
• Cree Ecological Knowledge: Traditional understanding of the environment, emphasizing interconnectedness and sustainable practices.
• Walking Out Ceremony: A Cree ceremony for children, symbolizing their first connection to Mother Earth and their future roles as stewards of the land.
• Stewardship of the Land: The Indigenous responsibility and deep connection to care for and protect the environment.
• Interconnectedness of Ecosystems: The fundamental principle that all elements of an ecosystem, including humans, are linked and interdependent.

Comprehensive Summary of Hudson Bay and James Bay Conservation Efforts

This video highlights the profound cultural and ecological significance of Tasiujarjuaq (Hudson Bay) and Weeneebeg (James Bay), two of the world's largest inland seas, and the urgent Indigenous-led efforts to protect them. Spanning four Canadian provinces and territories, these bays receive nearly half of Canada's river drainage, creating diverse environments that support an astounding variety of life, from beluga and bowhead whales to polar bears, birds, fish, and unique terrestrial ecosystems like peatlands and tundra. For thousands of years, these waters have been crucial for Indigenous peoples, serving as transportation routes and sources of food and water.

I. The Bays: A Vital Ecosystem Under Threat

• Ecological Significance: The bays are described as a "transportation system" and "key to our food security," with water being "life" and "one of the most important parts of our ecosystem." They freeze over from mid-December to mid-June, providing critical access to hunting grounds.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The region supports beluga whales, polar bears, bowhead whales, numerous bird and fish species, and countless plants and animals thriving in the waters, on the ice, and in surrounding pristine forests, peatlands, taiga, and tundra.
• Climate Change Impacts: The period the bays remain frozen is shrinking due to global warming, directly threatening the traditional lifestyles and food security of Indigenous communities who have thrived there for generations.

II. National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition and Partnerships

• Expedition Goals: In summer 2022, the National Geographic Pristine Seas team, known for establishing 28 marine reserves globally (over 6.6 million sq km), launched an expedition to gather scientific data and images above and below the water in these unique and culturally important marine ecosystems.
• Indigenous Collaboration: The expedition is a partnership with Indigenous conservation leaders and guided by local experts from Inukjuak, the Mushkegowuk Territory, Eeyou Istchee, and Qikiqtait. The primary goal is to support the creation of Indigenous-led protected areas to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations.
• Shared Vision: Johnny Kasadluak expressed excitement for the scientific data to visually share the territory's beauty and support ongoing terrestrial and aquatic conservation projects. Parks Canada and the federal government are committed to conserving 30% of land and water by 2030, emphasizing that this work must be rooted in science, traditional knowledge, and local perspectives, in close collaboration with Indigenous partners to create new National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs).

III. Arviliit Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA)

• Project Overview: Johnny Kasadluak, Project Manager for the Arviliit IPCA Establishment Project in Inukjuak, Nunavik, describes Arviliit as an archipelago northwest of Inukjuak, meaning "a place where bowheads are, or were."
• Rich Biodiversity: It's a haven for walruses, various seals, birds, and polar bears, with significant ancestral presence where Inuit traditionally harvested food.
• Conservation Objective: The project aims to establish a protected and conserved area by Inuit to prevent negative environmental impacts that could disrupt traditional food sources, emphasizing the reliance on "country food" over often unhealthy and expensive store products.
• Polar Bears as Indicators: Polar bears are highly respected by Inuit as dangerous, majestic, and "fellow hunters," considered the "top indicator for the need to protect an area, which is Arviliit."
• Expeditionary Research: The National Geographic team conducted the first scientific research and dives in Arviliit, finding it to be a remote, intact ecosystem with high diversity and productivity.
• Polar Bear Monitoring Methods:
  • Drones: Used to capture images for 3D models of islands, identify potential dangers like polar bears, and ensure safety.
  • Hair Traps: Plywood boxes with metal brushes and trail cameras are deployed to collect hair samples for DNA analysis, allowing researchers to identify individual bears and monitor population health.
  • Video Samples: Used to estimate bear size and provide digital proof of their presence.
• Inuit Perspective on Protection: Inuit, as traditional inhabitants, assert their right and responsibility to protect these islands. The underwater discoveries, previously unknown to them, reinforced the urgency of protecting unseen life.

IV. Weeneebeg (James Bay) and Mushkegowuk Territory

• Cree Sacred Story: A Cree legend explains the saltiness of James Bay, where a wolverine, blinded by a skunk, washed himself clean in a large body of water, making it salty.
• National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) Initiative: Lawrence Martin works to establish conservation areas in James Bay and Hudson Bay. The NMCA aims to foster a new sense of belonging and participation for Indigenous communities, addressing centuries of displacement by giving them a voice in conservation.
• Mushkegowuk Identity and Territory: The Mushkegowuk territory covers approximately one-third of Ontario. The name "Mushkegowuk" means "strong people," not "swamp people," reflecting their resilience.
• "Breathing Lands" and Carbon Sink: The territory is mostly wetlands, referred to as the "breathing lands of Mother Earth," storing an estimated 35 gigatons of carbon—ten times more than rainforests—making it a critical global carbon sink.
• Rich Wildlife: The land supports moose, bear, and 35 billion migratory birds. The waters are home to white fish, pickerel, pike, and trout, with beluga whales often following the white fish into the rivers.
• Cultural Connection: Vern Cheechoo shares how the land is "vast and diverse" and holds a "sacred part" for the Mushkegowuk. Stories of his grandmother crossing the Bay to marry highlight the water's role in connecting communities.
• Threats from Development: The "Ring of Fire" project, a large-scale mining development west of the territory, poses a significant threat with 18,000 mining claims for chromite, gold, copper, and zinc. This project could severely impact the huge watersheds that feed the Bay, potentially "shutting down the lungs" of the breathing lands and affecting all life.
• Traditional Use and Stewardship: The Bay remains vital for travel to camps, traditional territories, and harvesting country food, which is "part of our blood." Indigenous peoples are "stewards of the land," deeply passionate about protecting water, land, wildlife, fish, and birds due to their inherent connection.
• Music and Land: The connection between music and the land is profound, with every species, river, and wind having its own "song." Listening to the land is a way of understanding and connecting with it.

V. Qikiqtait (Belcher Islands) and the SIKU App

• Home in Hudson Bay: Lucassie, born and raised on the Belcher Islands (Qikiqtait in Inuit), describes living in the heart of Hudson Bay, 100 kilometers west of Northern Quebec.
• Traditional Harvesting and SIKU: He demonstrates harvesting blackberries (crowberries) and blueberries, which are stored for winter due to the high cost of store-bought fruits. The SIKU app (Inuktitut for "sea ice") is used by over 100 people in Sanikiluaq to track trips, document harvests, and collect multi-year environmental data.
• SIKU's Impact: The app reveals trends, such as shifts in berry timing due to precipitation, demonstrating how Indigenous environmental terminology is "Inuit science" that tells stories about the importance of a place. It's a crucial tool for self-determination and Inuit-led conservation.
• Qikiqtait's Ecological Importance: The Belcher Islands are a unique archipelago with distinct sea ice habitats, serving as a critical migratory stopover and connecting the entire Hudson Bay ecosystem. Protecting Qikiqtait helps protect the connectivity of the whole Bay.
• Sustainable Harvesting: Lucassie demonstrates harvesting mussels, emphasizing patience and the practice of returning smaller mussels to the water for future generations, embodying the saying: "You take it. And you hold it, and you tell it. I'm gonna put you back in the water, and one day, if I need your help, you're gonna help me."
• Data for Advocacy: Joel notes that data collected by individuals like Lucassie empowers Indigenous communities to engage with government and industry on an equal footing.
• Regional Collaboration: The video stresses the need for collaboration among neighboring Indigenous regions (Nunavik, Eeyou marine region, Mushkegowuk, Kivalliq) as they share the Bay and its migratory animals.

VI. Eeyou Istchee (Cree Nation Territory)

• Millennia of Presence: Eeyou Istchee is the traditional territory of the Cree Nation, who have lived there for millennia. James Bay is described as a "pristine territory."
• Cree Way of Life: Being "out on the land is our paradise" and livelihood. The "goose break" replaces March break, highlighting the importance of traditional harvesting. The Cree have a "very close relationship with [their] territory."
• Holistic View of Land: "Istchee" refers not just to a piece of land, but to how the entire land sustains the people and how they must interact with it.
• Traditional Practices: Early memories include traveling by paddle canoe and dog team, setting nets under the ice, and moving between inland winter camps and summer camps at river mouths for fishing. Success was always tied to interaction with the land.
• Sustainable Harvesting (Eider Duck Eggs): James demonstrates harvesting eider duck eggs, taking only what is needed and leaving some to ensure continuity for future generations. Maintaining the integrity of the marine area is vital for survival.
• Tipi as a Cultural Symbol: The tipi, traditionally a home and now a cooking place, is a significant symbol in Cree culture, representing warmth, family, and the raising of children. Passing on these traditions is crucial.
• Youth Connection to Land: Harry Erlish Jr., an 11-year-old, expresses his love for both video games and hunting, ultimately choosing hunting as it connects him to his culture and teaches him. This highlights the hope that young people will continue traditional harvesting activities.

VII. Chisasibi and Eelgrass Research

• Chisasibi: People of the Great River: Edward Bearskin, from Kukamao Sakihiikin (Trout Lake), identifies his people as Chisaasiipiiunyiyiuch, "the people of the great river" (Chisasibi). This river was a "highway" for inlanders like his family, who only came to James Bay in the summer.
• Goose Hunting and Climate Change: Goose hunting is a cherished cultural practice. Historically bountiful, goose populations have been impacted by climate change, specifically the disappearance of eelgrass, their main food source.
• Eelgrass Research:
  • Importance: Eelgrass, also known as "marine sugarcane," provides high-quality nourishment for geese, essential for their migration and resulting in healthy meat for locals.
  • Research Goal: To understand why eelgrass has disappeared in Chisasibi, why it's not recovering, and why geese are no longer eating it.
  • Methodology: Researchers search for and collect eelgrass samples to study its health and distribution.
  • Cree Ecological Knowledge Integration: Edward emphasizes that research must be approached through the lens of Cree ecological knowledge. The disappearance of eelgrass has a direct impact on both the environment and the Cree people, as migratory birds disappear, leading to the abandonment of traditional campsites.
• Underwater Findings: Initial offshore surveys found healthy communities of kelp and macroalgae in shallow areas but no eelgrass, indicating a significant ecological shift.
• Extending Protection: The Cree Nation is committed to extending its terrestrial conservation efforts "out into the Bay" through the Marine Conservation Project, aiming to highlight James Bay and its relationship with Eeyou Istchee.
• Walking Out Ceremony: The video concludes this section with the Walking Out ceremony, a significant Cree tradition where children, for the first time, touch Mother Earth. This ceremony symbolizes their birth, life, and their future duties in protecting the land, hunting, trapping, and fishing, welcoming them to the world and their responsibilities.

VIII. Synthesis and Conclusion

The video powerfully articulates that Indigenous peoples are "people of the land, and of the water," whose cultural identity is inextricably linked to their environment. The various Indigenous communities—Inuit, Mushkegowuk, and Cree—are actively leading conservation efforts in Hudson Bay and James Bay, integrating their profound traditional knowledge with scientific research. They are driven by a deep sense of stewardship, a desire to protect their "country food" sources, and a commitment to leave a healthy legacy for future generations.

The challenges are significant, from the shrinking ice cover due to climate change to the threats posed by industrial development like the "Ring of Fire" mining project. However, through initiatives like the Arviliit IPCA, the SIKU app, and collaborative research on vital species like eelgrass, Indigenous communities are gathering crucial data and advocating for the protection of these interconnected ecosystems. The message is clear: "Everything is interconnected," and protecting these pristine territories is not just about preserving local cultures and biodiversity, but about safeguarding the health of the entire planet. The urgency is palpable, as expressed by one elder: "A little late is better than not doing anything at all." The legacy they aim to leave is one of conservation, ensuring that the land continues to speak and sing to future generations.