Update: Wild Rice Consultations – April 27, 2021

Update: Wild Rice Consultations – April 27, 2021

Parks Canada began official consultation with the Williams Treaties First
Nations regarding wild rice harvesting in the fall of 2015. To date, we
have developed a draft Terms of Reference to govern the consultations.
Discussions with the First Nations have been very productive.

Parks Canada is aware that wild rice is present in different areas of the
Trent-Severn Waterway, and therefore the scope of these on-going
discussions could expand to include other parts of the waterway as
necessary. At this time, the lakes being considered include Pigeon Lake,
Rice Lake, Chemong Lake, and Buckhorn Lake.

Through consultation with the First Nations, and open dialogue with
shoreline property owners and communities, Parks Canada hopes to build a
better understanding of the environmental, recreational, and economic
impacts of wild rice and its harvest, including the culturally significant
and spiritual importance to First Nations. Parks Canada appreciates the
on-going support of the Williams Treaties First Nations, the
municipalities, federal and provincial partners, the conservation
authorities and the shoreline property owners, all of whom are working with
us to find a balanced approach to the management of wild rice on the
Trent-Severn Waterway.

A series of regular meetings is scheduled with the Williams Treaties First
Nations (Wild Rice) Working Group throughout the spring. Current focus is
on the environmental aspects of wild rice, and determining if scientific
research is required to support the on-going discussions.

Jewel Cunningham
Director, Ontario Waterways Unit | Directrice de l’Unité des voies
navigables de l’Ontario

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