UPDATE
thesis objective How do we approach ecological restoration and remediation in a context of a First Nation community that has such a long history of disenfranchisement, loss of cultural knowledge, land sovereignty and self-led determination? Additionally, if the role of the landscape architect is to deal with contaminated land and ecological restoration, how do we rethink restoration and remediation that is led by First Nation communities that lasts for generations? Lastly, how does the seven generations principle and self-determination reshape toxic remediation and ecological restoration practices?
As Serpent River First Nation is a landscape that has been greatly affected by one of the largest concentrations of uranium mining in Canada, this thesis maps out a reality that many Canadians are not made aware of the extensive and severe consequences that uranium mining contamination has on many First Nation communities’ land. Therefore, this project aims to develop a long-term remediation and succession design that provides the Serpent River First Nation with a collaborative forest management strategy focused on regenerative ecologies and an Indigenous-led nature-based carbon offset program, all which are self-led and co-managed by the SRFN community. By doing this, we can aim to build long-term local, and community led knowledge that takes into consideration the seven-generations principle, while also contributing to First Nation communities’ aim of land sovereignty and self-led determination through design that fosters communities leading the stewardship of their land for 100+ years. Overall, this thesis seeks to challenge the existing paradigms of ecological restoration in the context of a First Nation community that can lead to environmental justice for the Serpent River First Nation.
REGENERATIVE ECOLOGIES
SELF-DETERMINATION
CARBON OFFSETS
CO-MANAGEMENT
SELF-LED STEWARDSHIP
ADDITIONALITY
PERMANANCE
The specific carbon reduction that would not have happened without the offset
The carbon locked up for a specified amount of time – ideally forever
Fig 3. (Forest Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program, 2020)
Fig 7. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 6. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 9. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 5. (Forest Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program, 2020)
Fig 4. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 10. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 1. (Serpent River First Nation, 2019) Fig 2. (Serpent River First Nation, 2019)
Fig 11. (Black Duck Wild Rice, 2019)
Fig 12. (Black Duck Wild Rice, 2019)
Fig 8. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fig 13. (Great Bear Forest Project, 2011)
Fund total: $4 billion
NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FUND
$631 million
1. Reduction of Canadian greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions
2. Contribution to biodiversity conservation domestically and internationally
Nature Smart Climate Solutions Led by Environment and Climate Change Canada
$185 million
Agricultural Climate Solutions Led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
3. Conservation and protection of Canada’s wildlife and habitat
4. Recovery of Canada’s species at risk
5. Engagement of Indigenous Peoples in conservation
$3.19 billion 6. Engagement of Indigenous Peoples in clean growth and climate change Growing Canada’s Forests Led by Natural Resources Canada
Indigenous leadership initiative
NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FUND
EST. 2019
Est. 2021 (Details on eligibility, evaluation, selection criteria and application instructions will be available once the open call for applications is released in the fall of 2021)
Nature Smart Climate Solutions
+ Agricultural Climate Solutions
“The Indigenous Leadership Initiative supports Indigenous Nations in honoring our cultural responsibility to care for lands and waters. We are dedicated to strengthening Indigenous Nationhood and Indigenous leadership on the land” Growing Canada’s Forests
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(Indigenous Leadership Initiative, 2020)
Indigenous leadership initiative EST. 2019
Trained Experts
RESTORE
Youth & Elders
C0-MANAGE
ENGAGE
Next Generation: Youth, Educators, Leaders
MONITOR
PROTECT
IS THIS ACHIEVABLE?
University of Toronto
1. Run a project and earn carbon credits. (Whether you're a farmer,
TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS:
2. Sell carbon credits to the Canadian Government.
GOAL:
landholder, business, state government or local council, you can run a Climate Solutions Fund project).
114,265 tonnes (2018) 73,684 tonnes (2030)
3. Selling and purchasing carbon credits. 4. Invest in carbon markets. 5. Co-benefits from projects.
“The University of Toronto has set a goal to advance towards a 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from a 1990 level baseline” ----- (Scott Mabury, 2018)
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
“Traditional knowledge systems have similarities to adaptive management with its emphasis on feedback learning, and its treatment of uncertainty and unpredictability intrinsic to all ecosystems – the key to adaptive management is highlighting that certain species that may not be viable currently on a site, may be successful in future years based on consistent reevaluation over decades” ----- (Berkes et al., 2000)
UPDATE
ARTERIAL RIVER SYSTEM
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
RAILWAY
AIRD BEACH COMMUNITY HOUSING
ARTERIAL ROAD
AIRD BAY
HYDRO LINE RAILWAY
ARTERIAL ROAD
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
ARTERIAL RIVER SYSTEM
AIRD BAY
REGENERATIVE ECOLOGIES
SELF-DETERMINATION
CARBON OFFSETS
CO-MANAGEMENT
SELF-LED STEWARDSHIP