Presented by:
Joe Hunter, Rainy River First Nation
Although the word ‘sustainability’ is a fairly recent term used in the management of the natural resources, its meaning has always been the way of life for the Anishinabe.
Since its prehistoric existence, the Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) has continued to live on despite environmental and anthropogenic influences. The Rainy River/Lake of the Woods Lake sturgeon fishery was once considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. This fishery was a source of life and livelihood for the Anishinabe who paid homage to the sturgeon through the practice of taking only what they needed to survive and carry them through harsh winters; sustainability in its earliest form.
Joe will discuss how, in the present day, technology and business have been incorporated into those early customs, without sacrificing respect for the life-giving force that the Rainy River and Lake sturgeon hold.