Trapper's perspective on Natural Resource Development and Climate Change"

by;Greg McIvor
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3

I have been researching and compiling a presentation that contains very important and relevant information regarding Lake Winnipeg, watersheds and tributaries in the north and south end of Lake Winnipeg. The one thing that is of concern in Manitoba is the on-going reliance on hydro development projects. These projects have had a huge impact on traditional territories, waterways and environment in our respective communities. The material, video, mapping and new technology that I have incorporated into a presentation titled " A Trapper's perspective on Natural Resource Development and Climate Change" is very telling and revealing.

The youtube video is a sample of how one can incorporate traditional knowledge, new technology and mapping to gain a better perspective on the challenges with natural resource development initiatives here in Manitoba and elsewhere. This process can be easily designed to project current issues with regard to such items as sustainable watersheds, water quality and affects on Lake Winnipeg as one example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwoDW3WDr3I (please see attached "Manitoba's Inconvenient Truth" script)

The never before seen video material, satellite imagery, mapping has clearly portrays a significant amount of impacts on the lands, rivers, Lake Winnipeg and the communities that rely on traditional practices and natural resources. What this information can potentially mean to First Nations, Manitobans and Canadians as we proceed with additional natural resource and hydro development projects. The need to identify costs and demise of Lake Winnipeg, destruction of the Boreal Forests and contributions to Climate Change of undisclosed environmental impacts of hydro development.

I understand that your contribution to circulating emails is to ensure people are connected and aware of environmental issues in Canada and elsewhere around the world. We all contribute as much as we can on a volunteer basis, and thus the importance and advocacy for the protection of one of Canada's great fresh water lakes. I would be so bold to suggest that these materials will lead to more proactive strategy and potentially can assist with identifying research and environmental policy that can achieve proactive initiatives that will benefit our community and the traditional territory of a number of first nation communities.

Thus far, I have expended a lot of time, energy and personal financial resources to prepare technical and research material. There is a requirement to create public awareness and to share material. It is our responsibility to encourage implementation and demand enforcement of clear sustainable development policy and practice.