Sanikiluaq, Canada

The Sanikiluaq Environmental Committee (SEC) began work in 1990 when Hydro-Quebec, a large public utility of the province of Quebec, announced plans to construct the Great Whale Project in northern Quebec. The community of Sanikiluaq was alarmed by the proposed development as it would involve damming and diverting several rivers flowing into eastern Hudson Bay, directly off-shore from the Belcher Islands:

If Hydro-Quebec goes ahead, it could cause sickness to those people living on sea life. Inuit can't survive on food imported from the South, so it is important to know how Hydro-Quebec will affect our land and its people. We are very worried because if the whales, birds, fish and seal contain methyl-mercury, there will come a day when we are told not to eat them. We want to keep having the food we like to eat. ... What will happen to the large families who can't afford to buy food when the food from the sea can no longer be eaten?

Community residents raised a number of concerns relating to the Great Whale Project but quickly learnt that for many political, economic and scientific reasons there were few straightforward answers. Therefore, the Municipal Council of Sanikiluaq established SEC to examine the project, and see that the communitys environmental concerns were addressed and questions answered.

To this end, SEC undertook a number of initiatives which were developed in recognition that: (i) better participation and representation of the Belcher Island Inuit in the joint federal and provincial environmental review process was required, and (ii) a solid information base which incorporated traditional ecological knowledge and scientific information was needed for identifying and assessing potential impacts.

The Committee became actively involved in creating a solid information base for the Hudson Bay ecosystem by working closely with other organisations to initiate the Hudson Bay Program. This included the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee (CARC) and Rawson Academy of Aquatic Science with whom a joint proposal was prepared and funded by private foundations, provincial and federal government agencies, provincial public utilities, and regional aboriginal organisations.

As part of the Hudson Bay Program, SEC developed an environmental study based on the traditional ecological knowledge and management systems of original peoples living in Hudson Bay, James Bay, and Hudson Strait. Overall, 14 Cree and 15 Inuit communities participated in the study, and 78 individuals contributed valuable knowledge to use as a tool for ensuring indigenous peoples of the Hudson Bay region become part of its environmental decision-making.

In November 1994, the Great Whale Project was suspended by the Premier of Quebec. As a result, southern interest in the Hudson Bay Program has dropped, however, SEC and study contributors would like to see the Hudson Bay traditional ecological knowledge and management systems initiative continue. The value of the knowledge documented is much greater than for purposes of the Great Whale environmental review assessment. It can also contribute to developing processes, policies and curriculum which encourage sound economic development and comprehensive land use planning, facilitate community well-being and incorporate the knowledge of indigenous peoples in environmental decision-making.