NETMIZAAGGAMIG NISHNAABEG FIRST NATION — The Chief of Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation is standing firm on his stance about over-fishing and netting in White Lake.
Dougall Media spoke with Chief Louis Kwissiwa on May 6 at a checkpoint erected at White Lake by Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation in an effort to curb poaching during the walleye spawning season.
The checkpoint, which has been operating for just over a week, is monitored 24/7 by members of the community.
“We received information that fish were being netted during their spawning season. It’s very important for us to conduct these checkpoints so we don’t have any illegal activity from people of the Lake Huron region. That’s why we’re here: to protect our spawn, protect our fish, protect our waters, and to protect our territories.
“A lot of our membership are out here on the lake, fishing and enjoying our traditional territories – and not just enjoying the fish but also being out on the lake and doing what our ancestors did before us,” he said.
On that note, although he does not fish during spawning season himself, Chief Kwissiwa clarified that the reason for the checkpoint is not to prevent all fishing activity.
“Fishing is available. It’s just that we don’t want anybody casting nets in spawning areas. We’re open to people fishing but you’ve got to do it in a sustainable and respectful way,” he said.
Kwissiwa said the checkpoint should be active for at least another two weeks – at least until the walleye spawning season concludes.
With sustainability and respect for the environment at the forefront, Kwissiwa expressed his disappointment with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) who he says have failed to act or help Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg find a solution.
The creation of the checkpoint, as Kwissiwa noted, was a direct result of his community’s frustration with a lack of support from the government.
“We just started this year because over the past number of years we’ve taken this issue to the MNRF but they haven’t acted, so we are asserting our jurisdiction to protect our lake and part of that is this checkpoint,” he said.
However, Netmizaaggamig has seen support from several other communities who stand in solidarity with the measures they’ve taken to protect their sacred lands.
A joint demonstration was held at the checkpoint on May 2, attended by representatives from neighbouring communities including Chief Duncan Michano of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation, Mayor Rick Dumas of Marathon, and Mayor Jim Moffat from Manitouwadge.
Kwissiwa said the demonstration went well but he still wants to see the MNRF “do their job.”
“We’ve had no response from them. They’re not here, they haven’t been here. We’re just going to take our role as stewards of the land and do what we’re supposed to be doing – and we’re doing that here, right now,” he said.
